26 more FLIRT to strengthen the Slovenian train fleet

Stadler has won the contract to supply 26 further FLIRT multiple units to the Slovenian state rail operator Slovenske Železnice. The rail operator is exercising an option under the contract announced in April 2018 for the delivery of a mixed fleet of single and double-deck trains. The order value is in excess of 150 million euros.

Slovenske Železnice is exercising an option under the contract announced on 18 April 2018 for the delivery of a mixed fleet of FLIRT and KISS trains. Dusan Mes, General Director of Slovenske Železnice, and Zeljko Davidovic, Sales Manager Central and Eastern Europe at Stadler, signed a contract for the development, construction and delivery of 26 additional FLIRT multiple units: 16 three-car diesel-electric trains (DMU) and 10 four-car electric trains (EMU). Both configurations are to be approved in Slovenia, Croatia and Austria. They are intended for cross-border passenger transport services. The contract value, including warranty services, exceeds 150 million euros.

Zeljko Davidovic commented on the fleet expansion for Slovenske Železnice: «We are very pleased that the Slovenian state rail operator is expanding its fleet to a total of 52 trains. The procurement of a coordinated range of different vehicles is exemplary and will make rail travel in Slovenia and neighbouring countries safer, more comfortable and more environmentally friendly.»

A uniform fleet

Just like the vehicles from the initial order, the three-car diesel-electric FLIRT DMU trains will be designed as regional vehicles to travel at a maximum speed of 140 kilometres per hour. The trains have an additional car module, the power pack, which houses the diesel engines as well as part of the drive equipment.

To a large extent, the configuration of the eleven four-car electric FLIRT trains will also be identical to that of the vehicles from the original order: As regional vehicles intended to travel at a maximum speed of 160 kilometres per hour. For operation in Slovenia, Croatia and Austria, they will be equipped as three-system trains for three different power systems: 3 kV direct current, 15 kV and 25 kV alternating current.

Once the vehicles have been commissioned, the operator, Slovenske Železnice, will have a national fleet comprising 21 four-car electric three-system FLIRT, 21 three-car diesel-electric FLIRT and 10 double-deck KISS trains. What is unusual is that the Slovenian state rail operator will be able to operate routes in Slovenia with mixed compositions of single-deck and double-deck trains, or choose to use the single-deck vehicles in double traction.

Slovenske Železnice plans to gradually put the multiple units from the option into operation from October 2021.