The Mermec trains, which represent an investment of €42m, are the first zero emission trains in Infrabel's rolling stock fleet and in Belgium. They can operate on both battery and electricity from the catenary via the pantograph.
When decelerating or braking, energy is recovered and stored in the batteries. According to Infrabel, the new investment will reduce emissions by 130 tons of CO2 per train per year. In electric traction, the railcars can reach 200 km/h, while using the battery, their maximum speed is 120km/h.
The first train will be delivered at the end of 2024 and, after approval, should run on the Belgian rail network from 2025. The other two will be delivered in 2026 and 2027.
Benoit Gilson, CEO of Infrabel, said, “Faced with climate challenges, Infrabel takes on its responsibilities at multiple levels. The order of these first three zero emission trains is further proof of this. This partnership with the Mermec Group is an advantage in meeting many challenges because, while being environmentally efficient, this equipment will also make it possible to further improve safety on our network.”
Sebastien Carre, Mermec commercial director, added, “The Mermec Group is proud and honored to have been selected by Infrabel for the supply and maintenance of its future fleet of infrastructure diagnostic vehicles. By all their characteristics, the three machines supplied constitute a world first in the field of railway infrastructure measurement vehicles. Both for their propulsion and for the measuring equipment and auxiliary systems (heating, ventilation, lights) they are powered by purely electrical sources. No “carbon” thermal energy is present. Innovative and ecological, these vehicles will also be equipped with the ETCS signaling system, essential for driving, from the beginning of 2026, on the Belgian network.”
The first of these three new electro-hybrid measurement trains will replace the EM130, a measurement train that has reached the end of its life. The other two units, which will be delivered later, will be used to inspect and measure the railway infrastructure more frequently, via a series of surveys. While driving, they will be able to measure tracks and switches (using ultrasound) as well as check catenaries, the European safety signaling system ETCS, all kinds of ICT applications, and even the GSM telephone network.