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Regiotram Our Advanced Rail Scheme for the Kassel Region Egiotramregiotram 2 Commitment to Public Mobility

Regiotram Our Advanced Rail Scheme for the Kassel Region Egiotramregiotram 2 Commitment to Public Mobility

RegioTram Our advanced rail scheme for the region egioTramRegioTram 2 Commitment to Public Mobility

In our society mobility is regarded as an indispensable need. It is the pivot of our daily work. With efficient transport systems we can create a regional network to connect cities and communities, bringing them together in terms of time and space.

By establishing the RegioTram-scheme, mobility in Northern reaches new dimensions, bringing together more people more quickly and more reliably. It will provide even better connections in the region in the future – whilst respecting the environment and beauty of Northern Hesse. That’s our objective.

3 - Eberschütz - Liebenau- Hümme Lamerden The RegioTram network Liebenau- Ostheim Warburg RT 3 Hofgeismar Liebenau

RT 3 Liebenau- Haueda

Grebenstein

Immenhausen - Cassel- breite - - - Fürstenwald Oberelsungen Zierenberg- Ahnatal- Mönchehof Rosental Heckers- hsn. Ahnatal- RT 4 Weimar Zierenberg Obervellmar -Osterberg/EKZ Kassel-Jungfernkopf - Kassel-Harleshausen Kassel Hbf. Altenhasungen Kassel-Kirchditmold Wolfhagen Kassel- Wilhelmshöhe Kassel- Lindenberg

Kassel- RT 2 Oberzwehren - Rengershausen Baunatal- Guntershausen

Guxhagen RT 5 Körle -Röhrenfurth existing stops Melsungen-Schwarzenberg new stops Melsungen-Bartenwetzerbrücke Melsungen- Melsungen Süd

4 From Vision to Reality

A sound concept Being a real cooperation project it responsible for station infrastructure) Since the inauguration of the ICE will show out significant benefits for compared a number of short-listed station Wilhelmshöhe, the old Kassel the region. It deserves therefore options regarding feasibility and main station is only used for regional having a look on its development costs. and local transport. Although it lost stages. After intensive, controversial discus- its significance for long-distance sions regarding the different options traffic, it enjoys some general Thoughts and Decisions both in the project group and in popularity as the „Kulturbahnhof“ The idea to connect the rail networks public meetings the tunnel-option („Culture Station“). Due to its of (DB) and Kasseler was finally preferred. Main feature of position on the edge of the city Verkehrs-Gesellschaft (KVG) within a this option was to create a tunnel centre, it can also be reached by many RegioTram-scheme was discussed first under the Southern wing of the bus and services which link to in the „Schiene 21“ system study, station building, to establish the the surrounding recreational, which was commissioned by the (underground) RegioTram stop in the residential and commercial areas. Nordhessischer VerkehrsVerbund corridor of today’s tracks 1-3 and to (Passenger Transport Authority of link the tunnel tracks then to the Becoming the most important Northern Hesse, NVV) and delivered urban network two ways: via Rudolf- interface for the RegioTram, Kassel by Verkehrs-Consulting Kassel (KVC) Schwander-Straße on one hand and main station will be back in the focus and Transport-Technologie-Consult via Ständeplatz on the other. soon. It will close the major gap and (TTK) in 1999. link the railway system and the To allow a proper dealing with the tramway in one joint network, In a next phase in-depth studies and further planning process in 2002 a merging the two systems. The result is the detailed design of facilities were „project contract“ was signed by the an improved cohesion of the whole assigned to KVC. This included also a local authorities involved: Kassel’s region: Four new branch lines will detailed investigation of variants for municipality, Kassel County (Land- connect the medium-sized regional the link between railway and kreis), Schwalm-Eder County and centres of Wolfhagen, Warburg, tramway network in the Kassel main Werra-Meißner County, as well as Hessisch Lichtenau and Melsungen as station area. A tunnel-option to NVV and KVG to examine the chosen well as the pedestrian zone in the city underpass the station building and variant in more detail. Issues like centre of Kassel - directly and without possibly using the ramp to Kassel’s monument protection (the station having to change. Also the RegioTram only underground – an ugly building being a listed building!), is on quite a few relations faster than reminder of the seventies – was alignment (curvature, gradients etc.), the private car, offers the comfort of favoured already in this early stage. construction and maintenance costs a suburban train system and connects as well as the feasibility of integrating all important destinations thanks to In the year 2000 a project group the signalling system into the existing the close proximity of the stations in involving representatives of Kassel’s DB control centre were evaluated. As the city and the region to origins and municipality, NVV, the State Road and a result the former decision was then destinations of the passengers. Transport Authority (Hessisches Amt altered towards a straight tunnel für Straßen- und Verkehrswesen), under the station building with the All in all the RegioTram is the most KVG, DB Regio (the DB operating RegioTram stop being located in the ambitious project which the NVV, company), DB Netz (the DB network 4-6 corridor (see also „Interface: along with its partners, has embarked infrastructure company) and DB Main Station Kassel“). upon in the years since its inception. Station & Service (a separate DB unit

5 Networked aims, networked success

NVV’s task is to ensure and improve Not only an advantage for the the regional quality customer, but also in view of the in co-operation with its partners. The economics: The higher revenues target is to provide optimum connec- achieved by a joint network with tions for the customers – between better response to demand allow home and school, sports and training other investments in public transport locations, workplaces, shopping improvement elsewhere in the Kassel centres and recreation areas. For this region. purpose the different traffic systems must interact so that a sustainable Existing railway stops need to be mobility is guaranteed for all modernized and adapted. New, population groups – safely, comfor- additional stops are also needed to tably, reliably and economically. follow the network’s expansion and to improve the accessibility of the The RegioTram plays an important system. Increasing the capacity of role to achieve these targets. existing railway routes requires especially the modernisation of the With less than 10 kilometres of new signalling equipment. Otherwise the tracks it becomes possible to create a basic 30 minute headway on the completely new traffic system with a network length of 122 km. RegioTram vehicles operate both on the extensive DB network in the region and on the tramway network of the city of Kassel.

6 RegioTram routes would not be attractive and this also for convinced feasible and this is a real must to offer non-users. Demand models have passengers reasonably attractive shown passenger number increases of conditions and better, safer and faster more then 50% compared to today. connections. Already the Lossetalbahn reactivation The chosen operational concept for in recent years has made apparent the the RegioTram shows another attractiveness of such a concept: In advantage: while the RegioTram is just two years after opening of the substituting the former DB stopping Kassel-Kaufungen-Helsa service trains (the „“ in DB’s demand increased by about 50%. train hierarchy), the „Regionalex- press“ trains will not only remain, but But one might argue about their role even will be strengthened. investment costs! However, with a This is achieved by serving only some total of 180 Mio. €, the investments interchange (hub) stations with these for such an ambitious project like the trains and thus allowing faster travel RegioTram remain still manageable times. The availability of a mix of fast (see also: „Financial spread“). And trains between hubs and RegioTrams compared to the overall benefit for caring for all stops will make rail the region the expenditures seem services within NVV even more rather small!

7 Hessisch Lichtenau

RegioTram’s successful career actually refurbishment. Modernisation started already in 1998 when the measures alongside the route did reactivation of „Lossetalbahn“ from comprise signalling equipment and Kassel via Kaufungen to Helsa began. safety measures at level crossings. The Formerly known as „Waldkappeler original railway route having been Bahn“, the railway route had been mainly single track with only few closed for passenger traffic since May passing stations, the refurbishment 1985. Reactivation took place in three and modernisation did also include sections: from Kassel to Kaufungen- double track sections between Kassel Papierfabrik in 1998, further to Helsa Hallenbad-Ost to Oberkaufungen in in 2001 and now since February 2006 order to allow the denser frequencies to Hessisch-Lichtenau. KVG’s tramway and competitive travel times. line 4 operates on the line, but from February 2006 also the RegioTram Near Fürstenhagen special elevated joined. Kassel city will be reached sleepers have been used for environ- from Hessisch Lichtenau in 49 minu- mental reasons: the greater crested tes, from Helsa in 38 minutes and newt, a listed amphibian, is so able to from Oberkaufungen in 31 minutes. cross the track without being endan- In peak periods the line is operated gered. Along the whole line to with a 30 minutes frequency, from Hessisch-Lichtenau new stops have Helsa even every 15 minutes. been established to facilitate access to the RegioTram for the residents What is the difference between the and commuters. tram and the RegioTram operation on Lossetalbahn? RegioTram operates All stations, platforms and facilities faster (– 8 minutes) than the Tram are in compliance with NVV’s modern service and this is achieved by using standards. Some of the stops show the original straight railway align- real „hardcore“ pieces of railway ment between Niederkaufungen to engineering with up to six parallel Oberkaufungen, while the tramway rails in stop areas, the reason being uses the newly built „deviation“ that the tracks for the 2.4 m wide, towards the village centre single-ended tramway vehicles (doors of Kaufungen with several stops. only on one side!) are separated from the heavy rail track (still being in use Certainly the old railway line was not by freight trains!) in order to allow in a condition which would have level access platforms for tram allowed a re-introduction of passengers outside of the heavy rail passenger services without major clearance in both directions.

Kaufungen-Niederkaufungen, Helsa-Eschenstruth, Hessisch Lichtenau-Orthop. Klinik, Hessisch Lichtenau City

8 Direct Line: Melsungen – Kassel

Artist impression of new stop Melsungen-Bartenwetzerbrücke

The cities of Kassel and Melsungen Coordinated feeder bus services will today are connected by both „Regio- link the city quarters of Melsungen nalexpress“ (RE) and „Regionalbahn“ and also a number of towns and line R5. While the latter stopping train villages in Schwalm-Eder County to will be substituted by the RegioTram, the RegioTram. A fast interchange is the RE-services will be accelerated. achieved by a new bus terminal on As described before this is the general the modernised station square of operational principle on all RegioTram Melsungen – a real door-to-door corridors. Thanks to a denser transfer. frequency the RegioTram will offer more frequent travel possibilities and An important task within the infra- also better accessibility through new structure measures in this corridor, stops Melsungen-Bartenwetzerbrücke, but more generally in all RegioTram Melsungen-Schwarzenberg and corridors is to improve access to the Melsungen-Süd. It is one of the advan- existing stations and to adjust the tages of the RegioTram operation to platform and vehicle entrance to allow an increased use of route achieve level boarding quality. With capacity and this even with more stops several additional stops in Melsungen, – thanks to the performance of the further to those mentioned above the modern rolling stock. planned terminal station Melsungen- Süd will follow in 2008, the catchment A 30-minute frequency is offered area will be increased and more Monday – Friday and on Saturday customers reached. Melsungen morning for all RegioTram stops. An station will get an important role as hourly service is offered on Saturday one of the hub stations within the afternoons, Sundays and holidays. The RegioTram network with inter- RE-trains will not stop between changes between faster regional RE- Melsungen and Kassel and thus offer a train, RegioTram and bus. fast link here, but will serve all stops between and Melsungen taking Kassel-Wilhelmshöhe, over the stopping train role on this Baunatal-Guntershausen, Melsungen, section. Melsungen-Süd

9 Learning from a trial operation: Warburg – Kassel

Already since 2001 the flavour of „normal“ frequency, which means the Tram-Train-operation was tested on operational concept is similar as on this railway route with leased other RegioTram corridors. Direct Saarbrücken rolling stock. This has RegioTram services to Warburg are now been replaced when the „real“ offered only every two hours on all RegioTram became available. For the days but additional travel options on time being the trains start and this relation are offered by regional terminate at Kassel main station. and longer distance trains (IC/ICE) Travel time from Warburg with the which also operate in an two-hourly RegioTram is 50 minutes, the faster schedule, thus resulting in hourly RE-trains need 38 minutes. Again we travel options from Warburg. see here the operational scheme Coordinated feeder bus services also combining the RegioTram as a in this corridor will link towns and stopping train with faster train communities to the RegioTram. services. To achieve significant passenger number increase three The RegioTram stops on this route more stops will be added in the face similar improvements then we densely populated Harleshäuser have seen for other corridors. Some Kurve area (see also „Jointly used“), specific measures include: the instal- still a sub-urban quarter of Kassel – lation of elevators in Warburg and 17 stops are served in total. Travel Hofgeismar to achieve agreeable time from Warburg to Kassel main conditions for the mobility-impaired, station will then face a slight increase, Espenau sees the replacement of the but the direct link to the city centre old island platform by new platforms will compensate this easily. on the outer side of the tracks, which will make the crossing of the tracks Passenger demand forecasts for the obsolete and both and section Kassel-Hümme have recom- Liebenau will get Park & Ride mended a 30 minute frequency as the facilities.

Immenhausen, Hofgeismar, Hofgeismar-Hümme, Warburg Easy and convenient interchange Bus-RegioTram at refurbished stop

10 Short service intervals by Dieseltram: Wolfhagen – Kassel

Kassel and Wolfhagen are today RegioTram project as such, but linked by the „Regionalbahn“ (RB) certainly RegioTram is benefiting and and the „Regionalexpress“ (RE) partly requiring these measures for its stopping train service R4 which operation. An increased maximum requires between 33 (RE) and 47 (RB) speed on the line is one major result minutes for the journey. In the future which will enable the 30 minutes the RegioTram, which substitutes the frequency of the RegioTram. R4 service, will serve 15 stops in total, compared to 10 today and need 46 A second technical particularity is the minutes for the journey to Kassel fact that this railway route is and will main station, the big advantage stay un-electrified. The reason for not however will become the direct link electrifying the line for RegioTram into the city centre without inter- operation (which would have allowed changing. concentrating on AC/DC dual mode rolling stock!) is the Zierenberg The overlay of two hourly services of tunnel, which has been designed long the RegioTram and of the RE-service time ago for steam operation and Kassel – results in a 30 thus reshaping of this tunnel for minutes frequency between electrification would have resulted in Wolfhagen and Kassel. On the section major additional infrastructure costs. Kassel – Zierenberg (the „more The Wolfhagen line is therefore the urban“ part of this rural railway reason for ordering a second type of route) the RegioTram is operated RegioTram rolling stock, the according to the general operational „Dieseltram“, which operates with an concept in a 30 minute frequency on on-board Diesel power source on the weekdays including Saturday un-electrified parts of the route and mornings. The RE-service offers one with tramway overhead power supply more fast travel option per hour. in the city network. Within the „TramTrain revolution“ as such the The RegioTram line to Wolfhagen Dieseltram is well a revolution in shows a particular organisational itself! feature as the railway route being used is part of the Additional measures on this line network. Kurhessenbahn is one of the belonging to the RegioTram project regional networks („RegioNetze“) are concentrating on the which DB has created to better stations/stops. This includes general compete with, in general, more modernisation, adaptation of locally organised private railways. platforms to enable use with Kurhessenbahn as the infrastructure different types of rolling stock, new owner intends to modernize the stops (Ahnatal-Casselbreite; to better complete line. Besides the refurbish- connect a growing suburb). ment of the train protection system Wolfhagen will see a new terminal this will comprise the removal of a environment with a separate number of obsolete level crossings. RegioTram track and platform directly Ahnatal-Weimar, All these measures of the Kurhessen- linked to a new bus stop to deliver Zierenberg, Zierenberg-Oberelsungen, bahn concept are not part of the perfect interchange quality. Wolfhagen

11 Jointly used: The Harleshäuser Kurve in Kassel

The section Kassel – Obervellmar, the so-called Harleshäuser Kurve, is the first section used by the RegioTram after entering the DB network at Kassel main station. This section is jointly used both by RegioTrams in the direction of Wolfhagen and Warburg. Three new stops will be established in this suburban part of Kassel: Vellmar- Osterberg/EKZ, Kassel-Jungfernkopf and Kassel-Kirchditmold. Today’s „Regionalbahn“ stopping trains R3 and R4 use the same tracks but stop only at Obervellmar and Harleshausen. So residents from these areas today face some inconvenience in using Public Transport, either they have to get to one of the existing railway stops, maybe even by travelling first in the opposite direction of where they want to go or they have to take a bus for the whole trip into the city and even interchange again to the tram. The RegioTram will here result in a real quantum jump improvement: 33 minutes bus ride from Vellmar- Osterberg to Kassel main station will be replaced by 12 minutes RegioTram ride! From Kassel-Jungfernkopf bus Artist impression of new stops Vellmar-Osterberg/EKZ, Kassel-Jungfernkopf

and tram with one interchange The new stops will receive 115 m long require today 21 minutes to get to platforms to allow the operation of the city centre, the RegioTram will RegioTram-“Trains“ consisting of require 8 minutes in the future. In three coupled vehicles. view of the suburban character the „Harleshäuser Kurve“ section will see A very important additional feature a 15 minute frequency on weekdays on this section is a heavily improved and Saturday mornings, and a signalling system with short block 30 minute frequency on other days/ distances to allow the dense times. frequencies with the additional stops.

Artist impression of new stop Kassel-Kirchditmold 12 Interface: Main Station Kassel

The main station of Kassel will become also the first city centre stop of the RegioTram. It will be established in the area of today’s tracks 4-6 and will have an important role as an interchange node between the RegioTram, buses and regional trains. As already described it was finally decided to under-pass the main station building with the RegioTram alignment. Towards the city the existing ramp of the derelict underground tram stop will be used to link to the urban tramway network, the stop as such will be dismantled.

The new RegioTram stop will become part of the other ramp section on the The new RegioTram stop at Kassel main station railway side. Stairs and lifts will link from the deep end into the station building. Early in 2003 an architect’s The pleasant view over the platforms, competition was initiated to get ideas the direct access to/from the station for the design of the roof of the concourse via well arranged stairs and RegioTram stop. The archi- lifts easy orientation from all tects Prof. Burkhard Pahl/Monika locations - all these features will for Weber-Pahl in co-operation with OSD sure find the appreciation of the engineers, also from Darmstadt, were RegioTram passengers. assigned with the project, as their proposal perfectly met the functional The station will get enough daylight requirements and offered a clearly from both sides, thus there is no need structured station layout with a large- for artificial lighting during daytime. scale open appearance. With twilight approaching, the roof element will be illuminated from light The design idea is based on the sources integrated in the steel struc- harmonic integration of a single roof tures. Furthermore facilities like element into the existing chambered elevators and stairs will receive roofing of the old station. This is additional illumination. achieved by a visually fascinating rhombic, wooden framework arching The highly attractive new architecture across all three platforms which is will become an integral part of the supported on both sides by a steel existing „Kassel Kulturbahnhof“ structure. ensemble. Without any doubt the station’s role as a traffic node will be assured for the future.

13 Entering the City

RegioTrams entering the city from the Luther- railway will, after having passed the platz new main station stop (see before) Lutherstr Haupt- . r. Königsstr t Kurt- S r- bahnhof e use the ramp in Kurfürstenstraße and Werner-Hilpert-Strd Am Stern n a Sc w hu be back on the surface at Scheide- ch m -S ac lf h o e d r-S u t mannplatz. This square, actually re- Kölnische R r. Str. converted from a pure traffic node to Scheide- Untere mannplatz Königs- Leipz an urban square, was completed in i platz Altmarkt g summer 2005. Scheidemannplatz now Wilhelmsstraße/ Obere Königsstr has regained its function as a Stadtmuseum Friedrichs- connecting link between the main platz station and the city centre. The Kassel, Scheidemannplatz reshape includes the closure of the Rathaus pedestrian subway which had accom- panied the former (car) traffic function, improving both the accessi- RegioTram routes in the city center

bility and the urban environment. RegioTram

Tram From there one RegioTram line will Pedestrian area turn left towards „Lutherplatz“, „Am Stern“ and further to „Leipziger Platz“. Here it will use a new-built within the urban network, mainly as section of the tramway network in it meant integration of a double track „Rudolf-Schwander-Straße“. This tramway alignment and a new stop in section was the most complex one a city centre street with still quite Kassel, Rathaus, pedestrian area some role for car traffic. This new link also replaces the former tramway route which connected the former main station underground tram stop northwards. Other lines turn right at Scheidemannplatz and enter the pedestrian zone in Königstraße at „Rathaus“ or go on via „Frankfurter Straße“ to „Auestadion“, the Kassel football ground.

Kassel, Obere Königsstraße, pedestrian area

14 Different Stages – Step by Step

The RegioTram scheme is expected to be completed in 2007 including the city centre link in Kassel and the established basic 30-minute frequency on all lines.

Some project parts are detailed below:

Actions Completion/in service

Adjustment of platform heights at Kassel-Wilhelmshöhe station 2005

Lossetalbahn: Section Helsa – Hessisch Lichtenau 2006

Kassel main station: new Tram-Train stop and tunnel link towards the city centre 2007

Harleshäuser Kurve: three new stations Kassel-Kirchditmold, Kassel-Jungfernkopf and Vellmar-Osterberg 2007/2008

Modification of Obervellmar station and realization of the basic 30-minute frequency on the lines to Warburg and Wolfhagen 2008/2009

Optimization of the signalling system on the line to Melsungen and basic 30-minute frequency 2008/2009

15 The Partners in the RegioTram

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Political level: Federal Republic of State of Hesse Kassel, Melsungen and Vellmar municipalities Kassel, Werra-Meißner and Schwalm-Eder counties

Administration: Nordhessischer VerkehrsVerbund (NVV)

Infrastructure owners: Kasseler Verkehrs-Gesellschaft AG (KVG) DB RegioNetz Infrastruktur GmbH (Kurhessenbahn) DB Station & Service AG DB Netz AG DB Energie GmbH

Rolling stock owner: Regionalbahn Kassel (RBK)

The Federal Government and the The NVV coordinates the complete State of Hesse are significantly planning and implementation process involved in the funding. The counties as kind of a service provider of the of Kassel, Werra-Meißner and local authorities. Schwalm-Eder have also a say in this topic, as well as certainly the city of Kassel.

All infrastructure owners are involved because the RegioTram uses their tracks and stations.

16 Financial spread

A total of up to 180 Mio. € is being authorities (cities, communities, invested in the RegioTram scheme - a counties) along the lines according to sum which is shared amongst a defined and agreed formula, different financing partners and parts depending on whether the invest- of other projects. In general the ments are necessary for the system or funding of the infrastructure and local benefits. rolling stock is handled as follows: The cost sharing is different, if invest- Up to 90 – 95 Mio. € are invested in ments are made for the sole benefit the infrastructure, i.e. in the reshape, of an individual community and its modernisation and new building of residents, as is the case e.g. for the stations, signalling installations and new stop Melsungen-Bartenwetzer- route sections. The Federal Govern- brücke. In this case the City of ment and the State of Hesse take over Melsungen pays the complete 10 % a share of up to 90 % as a subsidy on its own. 90 % are again taken over according to the German funding by the Federal Government and the laws and regulations (Gemeinde- State of Hesse according to the GVFG. Verkehrs-Finanzierungsgesetz GVFG). The remaining other half of the The remaining local contribution of investment is mainly covered by the 10 % is distributed between the local 28 RegioTram vehicles.

Investment volume: up to 180 Mio. x, of which

Infrastructure: Rolling stock: up to up to 85 Mio. x 95 Mio. x

Infrastructure funding according to the GVFG: Federal Government and State of Hesse 90% Local communities 10%

17 Real All-Rounders: Technology meets comfort, economy, silence and speed

Technology The vehicles must be able to run both on Kassel’s tramway network with 600 V DC power supply and on DB infra- structure, the latter again showing different features – partly an electrified network with 15kV AC power supply, partly un-electrified infrastructure. Multi-functionality is a real requirement to allow dealing with such heterogeneous conditions.

AC/DC dual-mode technology is state of the art since the successful first application in Karlsruhe in 1991, but beyond this the RegioTram shows a An advanced rolling stock technology new feature, or even an international meeting the many specific require- innovation: the Dieseltram! ments resulting from interfaces to To allow incorporation of the Kassel- infrastructure, power supply and Wolfhagen line into the RegioTram safety is indispensable for the success network (see also: „Short service of the RegioTram as well as for every intervals by Dieseltram“) it was other TramTrain-scheme. necessary to go for a Diesel-hybrid vehicle, an electrification of the un- The new RegioTram-vehicles fulfil the electrified line being no option with demanding heavy rail requirements regard to existing tunnels. These according to the German Railway hybrids can produce electric energy regulations (EBO) for operation in the for the traction motor on-board with region and the requirements their Diesel engines, thus allowing according to German tramway and operation both on un-electrified rural light rail regulations (BOStrab) for routes and under tramway overhead operation in the city. wires.

For both systems the necessary rolling Out of a total of 28 RegioTrams stock approval has now been ordered for Regionalbahn Kassel achieved after more then a year of (RBK), the local rolling stock owner, testing and formal procedures. With 10 are Diesel/DC hybrids and 18 AC/DC this approval for operation in dual-mode vehicles. Northern Hessen also a basic precon- dition for other project related The Dieseltram fulfils specific require- operation in Europe is given. There is ments with both low on-board and already considerable interest in trial external noise emissions and very operations in other cities and regions. good acceleration parameters which

18 are very near to those of the electrical vehicles. To achieve short „tank stops“ the vehicles have received pressure tanking equipment.

The technical equipment is very demanding for both types:

Specific features in railway operation are wide ranging safety and signalling systems. In the tramway „world“ requirements regarding short breaking distances and full accessibility are in the foreground.

The mixed operation shows a specific Kassel, Friedrichsplatz, challenge: a quick change from one RegioTram and average travel times pedestrian area style of operation to the other during involved, on-board toilets haven’t a short stop at Kassel main station. been specified (similar to most sub- The coupling of up to four single urban rail services) which has made vehicles to a 150 m „train“ in daily additional space available. operations, the system change from railway to tramway and vice-versa Economy without any significance for the The capacity of one vehicle is passengers and a reliable wheel/rail 250 passengers, of which 94 can be interface in both systems are just a seated. Energy consumption is much few examples for the variety of lower in comparison to standard Spacious RegioTram interior demands. heavy rail rolling stock, due to light-weight construction and Apart from the traction technology brake-energy recuperation. both new RegioTram types are optically identical and the passengers Silence and speed will not find major differences. Owning acceleration and deceleration parameters of a tramway vehicle, the Comfort RegioTram allows serving more stops Wide doors and level access to a fully without increasing the travel time low-floor vehicle is a first important used by today’s rail services operating Comfortable seats in NVV livery comfort feature for the RegioTram on the same route. And noise users. Comfortable seats, lean-on emissions are considerably lower then stools for shorter trips and spacious those of heavy rail trains! Thus, all in areas for luggage, bicycles, wheel- all, both passengers on-board and the chairs and prams as well as air-condi- neighbours of the RegioTram routes tioning contribute further to a high should enjoy the new generation level of passenger comfort. With vehicles. regard to the distances served by the

19 The rolling stock producer presents itself …

Made by ALSTOM: the RegioTram for Kassel

ALSTOM is a world-leading supplier of rail products, services and systems, with 5.1 billion euros in annual sales and 28 000 employees world-wide. The 28 innovative TramTrain-vehicles for the Kassel RegioTram scheme are developed and produced in the ALSTOM site in Salzgitter, Germany.

The traditional ALSTOM site in Salzgitter Administration building

Solutions out of one hand Comfort by technology ALSTOM in Salzgitter (Lower ) Technical innovation is a tradition at is one of the largest and most tradi- ALSTOM. The RegioTrams are charac- tional production sites for rail vehicle terized by their almost continuous technology in Germany. It offers a low-floor design. ALSTOM’s engineers complete range of products and developed this unique technology by services, from and tram trains, positioning the main traction underground vehicles, double-deck equipment on the vehicle‘s roof trains to diesel and electrical multiple instead of under the floor. This means units, as well as tailor-made freight higher riding comfort and no barriers wagons. In the financial year 2004/ for the passengers inside the vehicles. 2005, the company achieved a turn- over of around 700 Mio. €. Key to success are the more than 2.000 highly qualified and motivated employees.

The company develops innovative and environmentally friendly solutions for passenger and freight transport on rail. ALSTOM’s customers are railway authorities, municipal and private transport authorities in Germany, Europe and throughout the world from Stockholm to New Delhi.

20 Steel carbody production

A look into production: Here the new Regio CITADIS for Kassel is built

Quality on the whole line On the way with ALSTOM Quality is a major priority for ALSTOM has many years of ALSTOM. State-of-the-art techno- experience in the development of logies are used in the production of vehicles for public passenger rolling stock and high quality transport on rail. The tram-trains for standards are achieved. Kassel belong to ALSTOM’s product The RegioTrams are made of high- family Regio CITADIS. quality steel. Thanks to the light- The Regio CITADIS represents a Interior assembly weight steel construction developed derivate of the modular tram family and patented by ALSTOM, the car- CITADIS, total sales are currently more shells of the trains are particularly than 80 vehicles (including single- light, energy-saving and environ- mode vehicles). The trade name mentally friendly. The steels are laser- CITADIS derives from the Greek and cut and welded, which leads to the means „through the city“. ALSTOM highest precision. All in all, around has already sold 750 CITADIS vehicles 250 employees of the design, worldwide. From Montpellier to production and testing departments , about 400 CITADIS are in have participated in developing and operational service and run in manufacturing the RegioTram Barcelona, Rotterdam, Dublin, Paris, project. Lyon and Orléans, to mention a few examples.

www.transport.alstom.com Assembly of the roof equipment

21 The rolling stock owner presents itself …

Regionalbahn Kassel (RBK): we keep the RegioTram running

Reliability, availability and safety of The different electrical parts are also the vehicles are ensured through modular and arranged in so-called optimised maintenance and repair „component containers“. Those can procedures. be removed and exchanged easily and fast with respective devices. This All maintenance and repair activities allows short workshop delays and a are performed in own local high availability of rolling stock in workshops with specific equipment, daily operation. The necessary repair on very high quality level and of components can then be dealt with respecting all regulations, the recom- outside and independent of the mendations of the producer and vehicle as such. However, the storage operational experience. of different spare parts and component groups is certainly a Automatic vehicle cleaning Maintenance intervals are depending requirement. on vehicle kilometres performed according to this schedule: The intensive data transfer from the vehicles to the depot and mainte- Task Interval nance workshop and vice versa is F0 once per week based on wireless WLAN. Thus (at night) important maintenance information, F1 every 12.500 km counting-, accounting- or passenger (at night) information data is available quickly F1+ every 25.000 km or can be changed very fast. (during day) Additional, more specific data can be F2 every 50.000 km taken via laptop from several (during day) component memories. F2+ every 100.000 km (during day) The maintenance and repair concept F3 every 500.000 km has been developed and agreed with or after 6 years the rolling stock producer ALSTOM (during day) and is part of a 12 year life-cycle cost agreement. High vehicle availability is the target. The experience so far is In addition wheel profile abrasion is confirming the expectations. checked regularly. Necessary re- profiling measures are dealt with a locally available under-floor wheel lathe.

To achieve economic maintenance and repair a principle of „exchange parts“ is favoured. The different Coupling with electrically elevated vehicle components (bogies, doors, nose sections front parts etc…) are arranged to allow quick exchange against stored spare parts.

22 Imprint

Editor:

Nordhessischer VerkehrsVerbund Photos: Printing: Bahnhofsplatz 1 – Title top (1) Alstom; title centre (5) Grafische Werkstatt 34117 Kassel Mietzner GrafikDesign; von 1980 GmbH, Kassel Phone: + 49 561 70949-0 – Page 2 left (1) Mietzner Fax: + 49 561 70949-40 GrafikDesign; Version: May 2006 Service number: +49 180-234-0180 Page 2 right (1) Alstom; E-Mail: [email protected] – Page 3 (2) Mietzner GrafikDesign; www.nvv.de – Pages 6 – 7 (1) Alstom; – Page 8 top left (1) Mario Zgoll; Text: Petra Most, Kassel left second, third and fourth (3) Translation: ALSTOM LHB, Salzgitter Dr. Heribert Menzel; Corrections & amendments: – Page 9 right (2) Mietzner Grafik- Robin P. Melhuish Design; – Page 10 left top and bottom (2) External quality control: Mario Zgoll; Axel Kuehn, Karlsruhe Page 10 second from top (1) Alstom; Editorial office: Page 10 third from top (1) Gabriele Schulzke, NVV Dr. Heribert Menzel; for the English version Page 10 centre bottom (1) Mietzner GrafikDesign; Graphical conception and design: – Page 11 right (2) NVV; Mietzner GrafikDesign, Kassel Page 11 right, second from top (1) Mario Zgoll; Illustrations: – Page 14 left top (1) Mietzner – Page 4 Mietzner GrafikDesign; GrafikDesign; – Page 9 centre top and bottom right Page 14 left centre and bottom (2) (2) PPB Projektservice Planen + Dr. Heribert Menzel; Bauen, Hannover; – Page 15 (3) Alstom; Page 9 right, third from top (1) – Page 18 (1) Dr. Heribert Menzel; AKP, Kassel – Page 19 right top and centre (2) – Page 11 right bottom (1) Mietzner GrafikDesign; Büro CAO X, Kassel Page 19 bottom (1) – Page 12 (3) PPB Projektservice Dr. Heribert Menzel; Planen + Bauen; – Page 20 (2) Alstom; – Page 13 (1) PPB Projektservice – Page 21 (4) Alstom; Planen + Bauen; – Page 22 left top and bottom (2) – Page 14 right top (1) Dieter Rohrbach; Mietzner GrafikDesign; Page 22 left, center (1) RBK; – Page 17 (1) Mietzner GrafikDesign – Back (3) Mietzner GrafikDesign.

23 RegioTram gioTram Re

Nordhessischer VerkehrsVerbund

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