CRRC DDEMU2
{{Short description|Double-decker train}}
{{Infobox train
| name = CRRC DDEMU2
| image = File:L02 963 Bf Wien-Penzing, 4100 504.jpg
| caption = 4100 004 in Wien-Penzing
| interiorimage =
| interiorcaption = Upper deck of WESTbahn Class 4100
| stocktype = Electric multiple unit
| manufacturer = CRRC Zhuzhou Locomotive Co., Ltd.
| factory = CRRC ZELC Zhuzhou Plant, Hunan, China
| family = CRRC DDEMU
| yearconstruction = 2021-
| yearservice = 2025 (Planned)
| numberbuilt = 4
| numberservice = 0
| predecessor = CRRC DDEMU1
| formation = 6 cars per set
| fleetnumbers = 4100 001-004
| capacity = 571 seats, 1280 maximum
| owner = CRRC
| operator = WESTbahn Management GmbH (Future)
| carbody = Aluminum, Carbon fibre, Glass fibre
| trainlength = {{convert|158|m|ft}}
| carlength = End car: {{convert|27700|mm|ft}}; Middle car: {{convert|25650|mm|ft}}
| width = {{convert|2800|mm|ft}}
| maxspeed = {{convert|200|km/h|mph}}
| axleload = {{convert|20|t|lbs}}
| electricsystem = {{Plainlist|
- Overhead line
- {{15 kV AC}}
- 25 kV 50 Hz AC
}}
| collectionmethod = Pantograph (DSA250)
| uicclass = (Bo’Bo’)+(2’2’)+(2’2’)+(2’2’)+(2’2’)+(Bo’Bo’)
| minimum curve = 100m
| safety = ETCS Level 2, LZB, PZB
| coupling = Scharfenberg
| gauge = {{Track gauge|1435 mm}}
}}
The CRRC DDEMU2 or WESTbahn Class 4100 is a bi-level electric multiple unit (EMU) built by CRRC Zhuzhou Locomotive Co., Ltd. (CRRC ZELC) for Austrian railway company WESTbahn Management GmbH.
It is designed to meet the TSI standards of the European Union (EU) and is configured as 6-car set. It is also equipped with a dual AC drive system and multiple signaling systems to meet the transportation needs of operating in Austria, Germany, Switzerland and Hungary.{{Cite web |title=DDEMU for WESTbahn, Austria |url=https://crrczelc-europe.com/ddemu-for-westbahn-austria/ |access-date=2024-12-25 |website=CRRC ZELC EUROPE |language=en-US}}
Name
It is designated as Class 4100 by the European rail authorities and DDEMU2, an acronym for “Double-Deck Electric Multiple Unit 2” by its manufacturer CRRC ZELC, which is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Chinese state owned railway manufacturer CRRC.
It’s the successor of the CRRC ZELC’s concept double-decker high-speed EMU project DDEMU1.
History
= 2019 =
CRRC ZELC has bid for a contract to supply a complete fleet of trains to WESTbahn, in order to replace its fleet of Stadler KISS 1 and KISS 2 which was sold to DB Fernverkehr to complete its modernization of the Intercity rolling stock pool.{{Cite web |date=2019-07-29 |title=Westbahn verkauft ihre Züge an Deutsche Bahn und kauft neue bei Stadler |url=https://www.urban-transport-magazine.com/westbahn-verkauft-ihre-zuege-an-deutsche-bahn-und-kauft-neue-bei-stadler/ |access-date=2024-12-26 |website=Urban Transport Magazine |language=de}}
But it has later announced that WESTbahn chooses Stadler to supply and maintenance a fleet of 15 6-car KISS 3 double decker EMUs, which is the third contract so far the manufacturer has signed with the railway company.{{Cite web |last=International2019-10-30T11:21:00+00:00 |first=Railway Gazette |title=Stadler beats CRRC to win Westbahn fleet replacement |url=https://www.railwaygazette.com/traction-and-rolling-stock/stadler-beats-crrc-to-win-westbahn-fleet-replacement/54940.article |access-date=2024-12-26 |website=Railway Gazette International |language=en}}
= 2021 =
The first DDEMU2 in full WESTbahn colours was unveiled in China on May 31, with a rollout ceremony held at the CRRC ZELC factory in Zhuzhou, Hunan province of China. The CRRC president Sun Yongcai, together with the CEO of WESTbahn Erich Forster and the Chinese ambassador Li Xiaosi attended the ceremony remotely due to the COVID-19 pandemic policies with Sun in Beijing, Forster and Li in Vienna.{{Cite web |last=International2021-06-02T15:25:00+01:00 |first=Railway Gazette |title=CRRC Zhuzhou rolls out double-deck Westbahn EMU |url=https://www.railwaygazette.com/traction-and-rolling-stock/crrc-zhuzhou-rolls-out-double-deck-westbahn-emu/59245.article |access-date=2024-12-25 |website=Railway Gazette International |language=en}}
On July 26, the first DDEMU2 leaves CRRC ZELC factory in Hunan and started its journey to Germany.{{Cite web |date=2021-07-26 |title=走起！双层动车组踏上赴欧之旅 |url=https://www.crrcgc.cc/crrcgc/2021-08/19/article_79EAD75563D9434B8FCF0C707738B5F2.html |access-date=2024-12-26}}
= 2022 =
On June 22, the Class 4100 made its first test run on the tracks in VUZ Velim,{{Cite web |date=2022-10-13 |title=[EU] Westbahn's new CRRC train on tests in VUZ Velim [video] |url=https://railcolornews.com/2022/10/13/eu-westbahns-new-crrc-train-on-tests-in-vuz-velim-video/ |access-date=2024-12-25 |website=Railcolor News |language=en-GB}} a rolling stock testing facility in Cerhenice, Czech Republic, to determine that it meets the conditions to run on the test line, before being prepared to undergo vehicle acceptance testing.{{Cite web |last=Vosman |first=Quintus |date=2022-06-24 |title=CRRC double-deck EMU for Westbahn completes first run at Velim |url=https://www.railjournal.com/fleet/crrc-double-deck-emu-for-westbahn-completes-first-run-at-velim/ |access-date=2024-12-26 |website=International Railway Journal |language=en-GB}}
It is also reported that WESTbahn will lease these EMUs to supplement its fleet of 15 6-car Stadler KISS 3 that were ordered in 2019.
= 2023 =
Class 4100 begins its testing process on public tracks in Germany and Austria, being seen at multiple locations including DB Systemtechnik site in Munich, Germany and among the west railway in Austria.{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?si=dBSf1XFW8iuJ69SV&v=mbrQERvzoqU&feature=youtu.be |title=Neue chinesische Westbahn von CRRC! Triebzug bei DB Systemtechnik im Test in München {{!}} Zügig20 |date=2023-03-10 |last=Zügig20 |access-date=2024-12-26 |via=YouTube}}{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?si=NOf43WMr4zJKzc9X&v=MsLb4Gu32ys&feature=youtu.be |title=WESTbahn CRRC DDEMU 003 & 004 passing Wien Meidling on a test drive [06-09-23] |date=2024-04-16 |last=JvB Trainspotting |access-date=2024-12-26 |via=YouTube}}
= 2024 =
In September, it is reported that CRRC ZELC has partnered with Hungarian company Acemil to built a new rolling stock manufacturing facility in Hungary. The main targets are mainline locomotives, shunting locomotives, electric multiple units (EMU) and double decker cars.{{Cite web |last=Today |first=Hungary |date=2024-09-06 |title=CRRC and Acemil Join Forces to Boost Rolling Stock Manufacturing |url=https://hungarytoday.hu/crrc-and-acemil-join-forces-to-boost-rolling-stock-manufacturing/ |access-date=2024-12-26 |website=Hungary Today |language=en}}
It is also reported that apart from the main deal, CRRC Shandong, another branch of the state-owned CRRC, signed an agreement with Acemil to built freight wagons in the new plant.
Features
= Frame =
The DDEMU is designed with a light-weight aluminum body shell that incorporate composite materials including high-strength carbon fiber and glass fiber elements.{{Cite web|url=https://www.thepaper.cn/newsDetail_forward_12936914|title=央视聚焦，中国首列出口欧洲双层动车下线！_澎湃号·政务_澎湃新闻-The Paper}}
= Interior =
Being equipped with both first and second class seating, the 6-car set is able to offer 571 seats, but with its maximum capacity, it can hold 1280 passengers.
Each car is equipped with a vending machine and a self-service coffee machine, as is typical among the WESTbahn standard cabin. There are also wheel chair spaces and bicycle storage zone installed.
Onboard Wi-Fi network is also selected to ensure a better passenger experience and access for ticket sales and seat reservation system for the staff.
= Cab =
The driver’s room is designed under the latest TSI standard. A typical standard European control desk layout can be seen in front of the driver’s seat.
Multiple signalling systems are installed to ensure operations across at least 3 German-speaking regions, with ETCS level 1/2 for upgraded lines in Austria, Germany and the entire Switzerland, LZB/PZB for Austria and Germany.{{Cite web |title=TF-Ausbildung.de - PZB 90 |url=http://www.tf-ausbildung.de/BahnInfo/pzb90.htm |access-date=2024-12-26 |website=www.tf-ausbildung.de}}
Variants
= WESTbahn Class 4100 =
The initial version of CRRC DDEMU2, first rolled out in May, 2021.
Orders
| class="wikitable sortable"
|+ !Customer !Country !Quantity !Details !Remarks |
| WESTbahn Management GmbH
|Austria |4 |6-car set, 200km/h |leased |