Switzerland’s Appenzell Bahnen (AB) has contracted Stadler Rail to deliver seven new Tango low-floor light rail vehicles (LRVs) for use on the Durchmesserlinie cross-town link to connect Trogen, St. Gallen and Appenzell.
The CHF60m ($66m) contract, which was awarded as part of the St Gallen Durchmesserlinie project, also includes supply of a spare parts package.
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The new Tango LRVs will be operated by AB on both the eastern branch, from St. Gallen to Trogen, and western branch from St. Gallen to Appenzell, when the new cross-town link opens in the autumn of 2017.
The eastern branch will be serviced by tram-like trains, while the western branch with rack-and-pinion trains.
Equipped with full air suspension on the bogies, the Tango LRVs are designed based on crash concept solution, which minimises the damage caused by an accident.
Featuring a comfortable interior and a first-class section for the first time, the fully air conditioned vehicles are equipped with folding steps to bridge the gap on entry, modern passenger information systems and multifunctional compartments.
In order to provide barrier-free travel for all passengers, the trains are built with a very high low-flooring level to facilitate easy movement of heavy luggage, wheelchair users and those with pushchairs.
Production of the new Tango LRVs will be carried out at the Stadler works in Altenrhein SG.
Other rail operators like Basellandtransport (BLT) and Geneva-based transport operator TPG have been successfully operating 38 and 32 Tango LRVs respectively for the past five years.
Image: Appenzeller Bahnen (AB) train at a station. Photo: Stadler Rail AG.
