SIEMENS has launched the Mireo Smart, a standardised version of its Mireo multiple-unit for regional and commuter operations that has been specifically designed for the German and Austrian markets.
Speaking at the launch event held at the manufacturer’s plant in Krefeld, Germany, on November 22, Siemens Mobility Rolling Stock CEO, Mr Albrecht Neumann, said that development of Mireo Smart followed the approach that enabled the company to successfully introduce to market the standardised Smartron locomotive alongside its existing Vectron range.
For passenger operators, Neumann said that the new Mireo Smart allows simpler pricing for rolling stock orders and much improved speed to market, as customers will be able to order trains and deploy them without going through a long approvals process.
He added that the basic approach is similar to that adopted by passenger aircraft manufacturers, such as Airbus or Boeing. They offer a range of standard basic aircraft types, already approved for use around the world, but details like interiors vary according to an airline’s individual specification.
Thanks to standardisation and pre-approval, the Mireo Smart will be available to operators or leasing companies wanting very small numbers of trains as well as in larger batches. They can also be delivered quickly, with the maximum lead expected to be 18 months.
Again, following the aircraft industry, Siemens envisages having a list price for its new Mireo Smart trains, and customers buying larger volumes will receive discounts.
The manufacturer stresses that the existing range of more customised Mireo trains will remain available and will be offered to customers seeking more bespoke fleets.
Siemens says Mireo Smart, which is available now, is designed for a 30-year life and the company will offer maintenance and upgrade packages for customers who want to contract out maintenance.
Three standard trains
Mireo Smart will be available in three configurations: a three-car 15kV ac EMU, a two-car battery/15kV ac EMU (BEMU) and a two-car hydrogen fuel cell (HEMU) version.
Each train will have a base configuration and external design that is fixed. The interior layout will be standardised, based on Siemens’ experience of meeting customer requirements in the German market where many Mireo fleets are already in service.
The base three-car EMU is 70m long and weighs 107 tonnes, with a maximum speed of 160km/h and fitted with both PZB and ETCS signalling systems. It seats 202 passengers in second class and 12 in first class.
Some variation will be possible within the standard product, the most significant being door entrance height (either 610mm or 800mm) as platform heights very from one region to another. Branding variations such as different seat cover colours and exterior vinyl wrap on top of the standard white livery will also be possible.
The trains will be manufactured at Krefeld and the first two are now undergoing approvals testing at the Siemens test centre in Wildenrath. Testing is scheduled to be complete by January 2024.
