The trains are being used for training in regular passenger service on the Cologne - Mönchengladbach - Kaldenkirchen section in preparation for their entry into service between Mönchengladbach, Cologne and Koblenz with the start of the new timetable on December 15.
Alstom is supplying a total of 16 five-car and 10 three-car series ET 1440 Coradia Continental EMUs to DB Regio under a contract worth almost €170m. The three-car sets will be introduced on Line RB33 linking Aachen, Lindern, Heinsberg/Duisburg and Essen from the end of 2020.
The five-car trains have 264 seats and the three-car units 154 seats. The trains have spacious entrance areas, wide inter-car gangways, Wi-Fi, power points, and LED lighting. Each train has a multi-purpose area with room for up to 12 bicycles and two wheelchairs. A wheelchair-accessible toilet is also provided.
DB Regio was awarded a concession at the end of 2016 to continue operating Rhine-Erft-Express Line RE8 for 15 years with effect from the end of 2019 by Rhineland Local Transport (NVR), Rhine-Ruhr Transport Authority (VRR) and Zweckverband Rheinland-Pfalz Nord. Line RE8 accounts for around 1.9 million train-km per year.
