Montréal, Canada – Bombardier Transportation and consortium partner Siemens will build 13 ET 425.2 electric multiple units (EMU) for DB Regio AG in Germany. The total value of the order is around 63 million euros ($81 million US) and Bombardier’s share is around 39 million euros ($50 million US). The order follows the signature of a 362 million euro ($461 million US) framework agreement with Deutsche Bahn in 2001, which entailed the delivery of more than 80 of these modern and reliable trains. The new EMUs, which are intended for suburban rail transport in the Hanover region, are scheduled to be delivered from mid-2008 — they should go into passenger service with the new timetable in December 2008.

As the consortium leader, Bombardier will manufacture nine trains, while Siemens will build the remaining four. For its share of the contract, Bombardier will undertake the construction of the car bodies and final assembly of the trains at its site in Hennigsdorf, Germany; the bogies will be manufactured at its site in Siegen, while the electrical fittings for the nine trains will be produced by its facility in Mannheim, both of these sites being also located in Germany.

The ET Series is an innovative generation of EMUs. Among its other advantages, low maintenance and high availability make this Series one of the most popular railway vehicles in Germany.

“Deutsche Bahn has made our ET units one of the backbones of its successful regional and suburban transport concepts, and that is both an honour and a challenge for Bombardier,” explained Klaus Baur, Chief Country Representative, Germany, Bombardier Transportation. He added: “A total of 236 multiple units from the 425 Series have been delivered since March 2000 and they are in successful operation in the regions of Hanover, Mannheim, Stuttgart, Essen, Magdeburg, Trier, Saarbrücken and Cologne."

The four-compartment vehicles of the 425.2 Series are a customised version of the proven 425 family. They can reach a maximum speed of 140 km/h and can accommodate 433 passengers, 204 of which seated. The four-car units are 67.5 metres long and 2.84 metres wide, and have an entry height of 798 mm. Comfortable seats, multi-purpose compartments, stepless entry at platform level and a nicely unobstructed view throughout the carriage guarantee a pleasant and comfortable journey to the users.