Saint Ouen Cedex, France – The Stockholm transport authorities, AB Storstockholms Lokaltrafik (SL), have ordered 16 new commuter trains of type CORADIA LIREX (X60) worth about 120 million euros. Five out of the 16 trains are conditioned upon the approval by the Stockholm county council. The trains will be delivered between September 2007 and April 2008. This order corresponds to an option included in the initial contract for 55 commuter trains signed in 2002. The new order brings the number of CORADIA LIREX trains to be manufactured by ALSTOM’s site in Salzgitter, Germany, for SL to 71.

Since last August, the first 18 CORADIA LIREX trains in service have served the network of the Swedish capital of Stockholm in regular passenger service. They have covered around 500,000 kilometres and carry more than 600,000 passengers daily, including with severe weather conditions (very low temperatures and heavy snowfalls). The trains were designed for harsh climates : the main traction equipment is located on the roof of the vehicle to protect the highly sophisticated traction components against ice and snow build-up on the tracks. Accumulations of ice and snow on the roof and in the underframe are avoided. The roof-mounted equipment also facilitates maintenance work.

With a length of 107 metres, this train is the longest articulated commuter train in the world. It offers space for more than 900 passengers and runs up to 160 km/h. It accelerates faster than average in only 30 seconds from 0 to 100 km/h.

The commuter trains are recyclable up to 95 percent and are characterized by a low energy consumption due to their lightweight steel construction. ALSTOM has developed and patented this technology including laser cutting and welding in order to optimise the bodyshells in terms of weight and stability of the trains.