Swiss train manufacturer Stadler Rail has delivered the first unit of six FLIRT intercity trains to the Hong-Kong based private operator MTR Express.
The train will be operated on the Gothenburg-Stockholm route in Sweden from March 2015, after availing the permit for commercial operation.
MTR Express placed an order worth CHF85m (€70m) for six intercity FLIRTs in November 2013 and Stadler has carried out the construction and the commissioning of the train in Switzerland.
With this new-build train, the operator will be able to offer a long-distance intercity service with 16 daily connections on the route.
The last unit within the order is expected to start its service in August 2015.
This five carriage train will be equipped with the Swedish train control system ATP L 10000 and will be operated using 15kV of alternating power.
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By GlobalDataThe train will have a maximum speed of 200km/h and it has been designed for operations in extreme climate conditions.
Other features include enhanced isolation, floor heating, double-wall intercar gangways, snow scrapers between bogies, carriage body and a heat recovery system.
The company said that the lightweight aluminium car body of the train permits it to accelerate faster, which will offer lower energy consumption and operating costs.
MTR Express offers services in Sweden in competition with the Swedish state railway operator, the Royal Railway Board.
Image: The FLIRT intercity trains of Stadler Rail built for MTR Express will be operated in the Gothenburg-Stockholm route in Sweden. Photo: courtesy of Stadler Rail.