Regional rail transport: Knorr-Bremse to equip Alstom Coradia Stream trains for German federal state of Baden-Württemberg

Alstom has commissioned Knorr-Bremse to equip at least 130 new regional trains from the Coradia Stream family with multiple systems, starting in 2023 and extending through to 2029. In addition to the contract for the entire braking systems, doors and HVAC systems, it is also the first major contract for Knorr-Bremse in Europe to deliver integrated sanitary cabins from its brand Evac to a major vehicle manufacturer, after Knorr-Bremse had acquired Evac in 2021. The Coradia Stream High Capacity trains will operate in and around Stuttgart in Baden-Württemberg, traveling as far as Lake Constance. Knorr-Bremse was awarded the contract in Q2 2022.

“This new, high-profile, multi-system order further strengthens the partnership between Knorr-Bremse and Alstom as both companies seek to develop safe, sustainable, efficient rail mobility,” explains Dr. Jürgen Wilder, Member of the Executive Board of Knorr-Bremse AG and responsible for the Rail Vehicle Systems division. “We’re delighted to be further enhancing our close collaboration with our customer Alstom as we continue to build our reputation as a reliable partner in the important and prestigious platform business, and help implement the key mobility solutions of the future.”

The electropneumatic braking systems for the new trains will include PistonSupply Eco compressors, flexible brake control systems from the FlexControl Modular family, SysControl brake electronics, and SandGrip sanding systems. Knorr-Bremse will also be supplying pressure-tight, weight-optimized, low-maintenance entrance systems with sliding steps from the Group’s IFE brand – the global market leader in door systems for trains – and modular, scalable, energy-efficient green[air] HVAC systems for multi-level trains with the natural refrigerant R290 from Merak, the Group’s brand for integrated climate control solutions.

Finally, Knorr-Bremse will be supplying SanSys sanitary systems from the Group’s Evac brand, with three units to be installed in each trainset. The SanSys units include customized cabins featuring the most advanced sanitary technologies, among them vacuum compact systems, tanks and electronic control functions.

The order was placed with Knorr-Bremse under the long-term framework agreement concluded between Alstom and Knorr-Bremse in 2021. Under the terms of the agreement, until at least 2025, whenever rail operators raise an order for trains in Alstom’s versatile, high-performance Coradia Stream family, Knorr-Bremse will be a systems supplier for the trains. For Knorr-Bremse, this is the fourth order to be awarded under the Coradia Stream framework agreement by an Alstom customer in Germany, following orders for Coradia Stream trainsets from Expresskreuz Bremen and the Kinzigtal and Main-Weser regions.

Alstom’s Coradia Stream design is a state-of-the-art low-floor, high-performance electric multiple unit (EMU) that meets today’s regional and intercity travel needs. As a matter of course, the train family offers specific technical configuration options that can be adapted to individual operators’ requirements. At the same time, Alstom’s efforts to further improve standardization have resulted in a single, versatile train family capable of acting as the ideal platform for both regional and intercity trains.