The trains will have complete DSD equipment, including the latest automatic ETCS (European Train Control System) and Level 2 (GoA 2) Automatic Train Operation (ATO).
The Mireo will be capable of operating on steep grades and be approved for operation in Austria. The framework agreement, signed with the State Institute for Rail Vehicles Baden-Württemberg (SFBW), includes a 10-year maintenance contract with an option for extending it by a further 20 years.
The head of the State Ministry of Transport, Berthold Friess, said, “Baden-Württemberg is continuing to be a trailblazer in the digitization of railways. Over the next 10 years, the 28 ordered Mireo regional trains will primarily serve to keep passenger operations in the state as convenient and comfortable as possible while the existing fleet is being retrofitted with DSD technology. Siemens Mobility is now the second industrial partner for integrating complete DSD equipment in our trains. This will significantly accelerate the development of a fully digitized rail system in Germany.”
Albrecht Neumann, CEO of rolling stock at Siemens Mobility, added, “The Mireo will give the state of Baden-Württemberg a state-of-the-art train that provides impressive cost-effectiveness in operation and a high level of comfort and convenience for passengers. The long-term maintenance contract, which includes digital services based on Railigent X, also ensures reliable operation and high availability of the trains.”
The Mireo trains will be manufactured in the network of Siemens Mobility plants. The trains are required to be commissioned in the infrastructure of the Digital Node Stuttgart, since only trains with specifically functioning ETCS systems will be able to operate on those routes. This is the first order for Siemens Mobility requiring the implementation of complete DSD train equipment.
As a carrier system for the digitization of rail, ETCS is also paving the way for harmonized, cross-border and, above all, safe rail transport in European and worldwide rail networks. Siemens Mobility is also equipping the new trains with a Train Integrity Monitoring System as well as the Future Railway Mobile Communication System for the first time in Germany. This digital equipment allows for more tightly scheduled, energy-saving operations through digitally predictive signaling and driving instructions.
While implementing the nationwide rollout of Digital Rail Germany, including the Digital Node Stuttgart pilot project, existing trains purchased by the State Institute for Rail Vehicles Baden-Württemberg (SFBW) and leased to various railway operating companies (EVUs) must be retrofitted with DSD train equipment.
During these retrofits, trains leased to the EVUs are not available for use. The need for their replacements is set for a period of at least 10 years and they must ensure the highest degree of flexibility due to uncertainties involved in expanding the infrastructure and carrying out the DSD retrofits. The goal is to be able to swap trains and provide replacements to the EVUs while their trains are being retrofitted. The Mireos can also be used as a redundancy fleet as needed.
The trains will initially operate in the Stuttgart metropolitan region as part of the DKS pilot project and subsequently be used throughout the state of Baden-Württemberg and neighboring states. It is planned to approve the trains for operation in Austria and for border routes to Switzerland, such as to the central station of Basel.