Coradia Continental electrical multiple units (EMUs) are a part of the Coradia modular range of regional trains manufactured by Alstom.
The Continental variant is developed for the German and other European markets. Coradia Continental regional trains have been in operation with seven customers in Germany since 2008.
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Germany has more than 222 Coradia Continental trains operational as of February 2020. Alstom designed the vehicles to be 95% recyclable to reduce the impact on the environment.
Coradia Continental design and features
Alstom derived Coradia Continental from the Coradia LIREX concept. The Continental EMUs can attain a maximum speed of 160km/h and are available in three, four, five or six-car configurations. Provision is available to join up to four train sets to meet the demand during peak times.
The trains can be equipped with double and triple traction regimes. The four-car trainsets can accommodate up to 460 passengers.
The trains come in different lengths ranging from 58m, 74m, and 91m to 107m depending on the operator’s requirements. The passenger-carrying capacity varies from 154 to more than 372. At 58m, the three-car trainset version can carry up to 350 passengers.
Coradia Continental complies with the International Union of Railways (UIC) standard for loading gauges (UIC 505-1 GAUGE). It can adapt to platform heights ranging between 550mm and 760mm.
The train features a real-time information system that is designed to provide train connection data to passengers. The passengers can also access Wi-Fi, sockets, and laptop outlets.
Trains are equipped with an efficient energy management system for the traction and other systems.
Coradia Continental interior features
Alstom Coradia Continental train offers a new front design and can be customised as low-floor vehicles.
The traction equipment is mounted on the roof of the train, facilitating improved passenger movement. The flexible design allows for a large corridor and other interior design possibilities to improve the comfort levels of passengers.
The train features systems such as side handrails, signage, audio cues, and electric lighting for persons with reduced mobility and vision impairments.
Multi-purpose areas are provided within the train to accommodate bicycles, wheelchairs and strollers.
Other features aimed at improving travel experience include movable steps, gap bridging and access at platform height. The train also includes repeaters for boosting mobile signals.
Trains are designed to comply with the latest European regulatory standards in areas such as accessibility, fire protection, and emission values.
Coradia Continental variants
Alstom offers a battery-electric version (BEMU) of the Coradia Continental. The BEMU variant can reach a maximum distance of 120km and offers a maximum speed of 160km/h.
The three-car trains are 56m-long and have a seating capacity of 150. They support operations on non-electrified lines and under-catenary overhead system. The BEMU trains are equipped with high-power lithium-ion batteries.
Orders and deliveries
Alstom signed a contract in February 2020 with German regional transport authorities Verkehrsverbund Mittelsachsen (VMS) and Zweckverband für den Nahverkehrsraum Leipzig (ZVNL) to produce and supply 11 Coradia Continental BEMU trains for operation on the Leipzig-Chemnitz route. The €100m ($109.36m) contract also includes providing maintenance services until 2032.
The new trains will be manufactured in Salzgitter, Germany, and will be operational by 2023.
A €120m ($132m) contract was received in November 2019 from DB Regio for the delivery of 19 Coradia Continental electric regional trains. DB Regio is purchasing the vehicles on behalf of the state of Baden-Württemberg. The trains will be run on the routes from Karlsruhe to Heilbronn, Achern, and via Freudenstadt to Herrenberg.
Hessische Landesbahn (HLB) ordered five Coradia Continental trains worth more than €27m ($29.52m) in April 2018. The vehicles will be operated in the Frankfurt Rhine-Main metropolitan region. The trains were scheduled for delivery in December 2019.
The contract followed an order from 2015 for the supply of 30 Coradia Continental EMUs to HLB. The 30 multiple units started operations on the network South Hesse-Untermain in December 2018.
In March 2017, DB Regio placed an order for 53 regional trains worth approximately €300m ($328m). Another contract was signed in May the same year with DB Regio for 25 additional trains, as part of a framework contract signed between Alstom and DB Regio in 2011 for the delivery of up to 400 Coradia Continental trains.
Alstom won a contract from VMS to deliver 29 electrical trains in April 2014.
