WIDE-BODIED EMUS OFFER EXTRA CAPACITY AT LOW COST

Studies in Sweden have found that wide-bodied rail passenger and freight vehicles can be accommodated on Swedish railway tracks with only minor modifications to the existing loading gauge. By increasing the body width by 200mm to 400mm, the capacity of passenger trains can be raised by 20% to 30% at a relatively low cost increase, without many of the complications inherent in double-deck vehicles. This article describes the innovative Regina units, now beginning to be constructed by Adtranz, which are the first attempt to apply a larger loading gauge to offer an attractive high-capacity passenger vehicle. Eleven of these wide-bodied EMUs are being built for two Swedish regional transport authorities. Analysis of the existing structure clearance gauge in Sweden indicated that a wider profile could easily be accommodated over 1200mm above rail with only limited infrastructure works, but, below that level, more studies would be required. In 1997, two prototype wagons with a rectangular profile were developed, with an increased load volume of 20% to 30%. Combined with an increase in axle load from 22.5t to 25t, this will give rail freight a competitive rise over road haulage. The development of wide-bodied passenger rolling stock was more complex. Eventually, the Regina was developed.

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• Corporate Authors:

  Reed Business Information, Limited

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• Authors:
  • WADMAN, P
  • WERMELIN-BJORNSSON, A
• Publication Date: 1999-8

Language

• English

Media Info

• Features: References;
• Pagination: p. 511-3
• Serial:
  • Railway Gazette International
  • Volume: 155
  • Issue Number: 8
  • Publisher: DVV Media Group
  • ISSN: 0373-5346
  • Serial URL: http://www.railwaygazette.com/about-us.html

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Axle load force; Construction; Costs; Economic efficiency; Freight transportation; Loads; Prototypes; Public transit; Railroad tracks; Railroad trains; Railroad transportation; Vehicles; Volume; Width
• Uncontrolled Terms: Efficiency; Increase
• Geographic Terms: Sweden
• ITRD Terms: 3067: Axle load; 3655: Construction; 224: Cost; 5911: Efficiency; 741: Goods traffic; 9032: Increase; 5567: Load; 9109: Prototype; 744: Public transport; 1173: Rail bound transport; 8109: Sweden; 1268: Train; 1255: Vehicle; 6468: Volume; 6479: Width
• Subject Areas: Bridges and other structures; Construction; Economics; Finance; Freight Transportation; Public Transportation; Railroads; Vehicles and Equipment;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00771559
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: Transport Research Laboratory
• Files: ITRD
• Created Date: Nov 4 1999 12:00AM