The trains will operate on the Tübingen - Hechingen - Balingen - Sigmaringen and Hechingen - Gammertingen - Sigmaringen lines, as well as providing recreational services on the Engstingen - Gammertingen, Balingen - Schömberg and Eyach - Hechingen lines.
Alstom delivered the first vehicle in September, with the remaining vehicles due to be delivered by December. The first test runs in regular operation are due to take place in November.
The fleet was ordered by state-owned leasing company Baden-Württemberg State Rail Vehicle Authority (SFBW) on behalf of Sweg. The two-car trains have a maximum speed of 140km/h, with capacity for 150 passengers, and are equipped with Wi-Fi, a passenger information system, CCTV, air-conditioning, power sockets, space for luggage and multi-purpose areas for bicycles, pushchairs and wheelchairs.
SWEG has been using Lint 54 vehicles on the Ulm - Aalen and Ulm - Munderkingen lines since mid-2019.
All Lint multiple units are serviced in Sweg’s maintenance workshop in Gammertingen, which was converted and modernised in 2019.
Due to the new driving characteristics of the new trains, a new timetable will be introduced on the Zollern-Alb railway which will provide for better connections between trains and improved afternoon services. The new timetable also provides regular connections between Hechingen and Gammertingen and Tübingen - Balingen, and will also reduce the Jungingen - Tübingen journey time by 10 minutes. However, the direct connection from Sigmaringen to Aulendorf has been withdrawn.
“With the new, modern vehicles and a corresponding timetable, we are making rail transport more attractive,” says ministerial director in the Baden-Württemberg Ministry of Transport, Dr Uwe Lahl. “Especially in these difficult times for public transport, it is particularly important that we deliver a convincing offer to passengers by investing in quality.”
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