Stadler has made public its new “Servicejets”, 68-metre-long special trains that will be used by ÖBB-Infrastruktur, the operator of Austria's railway infrastructure, to improve safety in tunnels.
One of the main benefits of the multifunctional trains is that they are able to enter smoke-filled tunnels and reach the source of a fire.
They can then extinguish the fire, evacuate passengers or workers from the tunnel, or remove broken-down rolling stock.
A total of 18 units are being received by ÖBB-Infrastruktur, and the first will be used on the Koralm Railway, a high-speed line which is set to connect the Austrian cities of Graz and Klagenfurt upon opening in 2026.
By incorporating 18 seats with specialised brackets for firefighters, as well as state-of-the-art ventilation and pressurisation systems which prevent smoke from reaching the inside of the train, they have been designed to deal with the worst-imaginable situations.
Stadler have also built thermal-imaging cameras and powerful searchlights into the trains, so that emergency workers will be able to search through smoke and locate people in need of rescue.
Moreover, other necessary equipment like pumps and fire-fighting suits have been deployed at ÖBB-Infrastruktur support points and can be loaded onto the train in containers if and when required.
However, the “Servicejets” also offer a range of other functions, including taking passengers to safety in other evacuation situations, and undertaking regular maintenance work.
The trains are able to operate on any of three power sources: the overhead line, traction batteries or diesel generators.
The Swiss rail vehicle manufacturer Stadler builds rolling stocks for networks across the world, including the US and New Zealand.
Its “Servicejets” were unveiled at ÖBB's training campus in St. Pölten, which is located in northeast Austria.
Our new Servicejets enable us to provide assistance even faster than before. They provide more power in a larger operational area. The new concept also enables a reduction from 21 to 18 vehicles.
Johann Pluy, Member of the Board of Management of ÖBB-Infrastruktur AGWith the launch of the rescue train, we have put a highly innovative concept on the rails that meets ÖBB Infrastruktur's specifications and satisfies all the customer's quality and safety requirements. That's why we will now take the next steps towards the mobility of the future together. Stadler has been commissioned by ÖBB to build long-distance trains from the KISS brand, as well as intercity and regional multiple units from the FLIRT.
Peter Spuhler, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Stadler
