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Stadler FLIRT
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Stadler FLIRT
Stadler FLIRT (Fast Light Innovative Regional Train) is a family of passenger multiple unit trainsets made by Stadler Rail of Switzerland. The FLIRT is an electric multiple unit (EMU) articulated trainset that can be configured with between two and six cars, featuring four to six powered axles. The trains have a maximum speed of 127 to 200 kilometres per hour (79 to 124 mph).
While the standard FLIRT is an EMU powered by overhead lines, a modular PowerPack car can be added for off-wire operation. The PowerPack may contain diesel engines, hydrogen fuel cells, batteries, or combinations thereof, while traction remains fully electric. This modular setup allows operation on both electrified and non-electrified routes.
The FLIRT was originally developed for the Swiss Federal Railways and first delivered in 2004. The design proved highly successful and adaptable, leading to orders for more than 2,750 units from operators across 24 countries. The first bi-mode FLIRT units, combining overhead electric operation with diesel power packs, were ordered by Italy's Aosta Valley region in 2015. Tri-mode versions, combining diesel, electric, and battery operation, were first ordered by Transport for Wales in 2018. The first hydrogen fuel-cell variant was ordered in 2019 for Arrow in San Bernardino County, California, United States.
Although the earliest versions of the FLIRT physically resemble the preceding Stadler GTW series—designed for lower-speed local services—the FLIRT was developed for higher-speed regional operations and has since also replaced the GTW in many local roles.
FLIRT trainsets are highly modular in design and can be configured with two to six passenger carriages, with or without an additional PowerPack car. Electric variants are available for all common power supply systems, both AC and DC, and for standard- and broad-gauge networks. Automatic couplers at both ends allow up to four trainsets to operate in multiple, including cross-operation with Stadler’s double-deck KISS units.
The FLIRT can use Jacobs bogies shared between adjacent coaches, conventional bogies, or a combination of both, and features wide, walk-through gangways. It can be built with an entirely high-floor layout or a combination of high- and up to 90% low-floor sections. To provide level boarding at most stations, the floor height at the entrances can range from 550 to 1,200 millimetres (22 to 47 in). Each side of the vehicle has one or two wide, bi-parting sliding doors per carriage. Passenger areas can be fitted out to include toilets, food service areas, or sleeping compartments, depending on operator needs.
While the standard FLIRT operates as an EMU drawing power from overhead lines, the design allows for the addition of a modular PowerPack that provides off-wire capability. These cars can house diesel engines driving electric generators (creating a diesel multiple unit, DMU), hydrogen fuel cells (zero-emission multiple unit, ZEMU), battery packs (battery electric multiple unit, BEMU), or combinations of these systems. Regardless of configuration, all FLIRT variants use electric traction motors on the powered axles, with the PowerPack serving only as a source of electrical power. This modular design enables operation on non-electrified routes or in mixed electrified and non-electrified networks.
The train's traction system is highly redundant with up to four independent drive chains. Compartments between the driving cab and the passenger saloon contain the primary and auxiliary IGBT-based traction converters supplied by ABB, which control the induction traction motors located in the bogies directly beneath. This configuration is used in all FLIRT variants, whether or not a PowerPack is installed. On shorter configurations of two carriages, only one bogie may be powered. On longer configurations of five or six carriages, a third powered bogie may be added at the centre of the train. Each powered bogie typically provides a continuous output of 660 to 1,000 kilowatts (890 to 1,340 hp) and a short-term maximum of 1,200 to 1,750 kW (1,610 to 2,350 hp). Depending on configuration, length, and weight, FLIRT units achieve maximum speeds between 127 and 200 kilometres per hour (79 and 124 mph), with acceleration rates ranging from 0.6 to 1.3 m/s2 (1.3 to 2.9 mph/s).
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Stadler FLIRT
Stadler FLIRT (Fast Light Innovative Regional Train) is a family of passenger multiple unit trainsets made by Stadler Rail of Switzerland. The FLIRT is an electric multiple unit (EMU) articulated trainset that can be configured with between two and six cars, featuring four to six powered axles. The trains have a maximum speed of 127 to 200 kilometres per hour (79 to 124 mph).
While the standard FLIRT is an EMU powered by overhead lines, a modular PowerPack car can be added for off-wire operation. The PowerPack may contain diesel engines, hydrogen fuel cells, batteries, or combinations thereof, while traction remains fully electric. This modular setup allows operation on both electrified and non-electrified routes.
The FLIRT was originally developed for the Swiss Federal Railways and first delivered in 2004. The design proved highly successful and adaptable, leading to orders for more than 2,750 units from operators across 24 countries. The first bi-mode FLIRT units, combining overhead electric operation with diesel power packs, were ordered by Italy's Aosta Valley region in 2015. Tri-mode versions, combining diesel, electric, and battery operation, were first ordered by Transport for Wales in 2018. The first hydrogen fuel-cell variant was ordered in 2019 for Arrow in San Bernardino County, California, United States.
Although the earliest versions of the FLIRT physically resemble the preceding Stadler GTW series—designed for lower-speed local services—the FLIRT was developed for higher-speed regional operations and has since also replaced the GTW in many local roles.
FLIRT trainsets are highly modular in design and can be configured with two to six passenger carriages, with or without an additional PowerPack car. Electric variants are available for all common power supply systems, both AC and DC, and for standard- and broad-gauge networks. Automatic couplers at both ends allow up to four trainsets to operate in multiple, including cross-operation with Stadler’s double-deck KISS units.
The FLIRT can use Jacobs bogies shared between adjacent coaches, conventional bogies, or a combination of both, and features wide, walk-through gangways. It can be built with an entirely high-floor layout or a combination of high- and up to 90% low-floor sections. To provide level boarding at most stations, the floor height at the entrances can range from 550 to 1,200 millimetres (22 to 47 in). Each side of the vehicle has one or two wide, bi-parting sliding doors per carriage. Passenger areas can be fitted out to include toilets, food service areas, or sleeping compartments, depending on operator needs.
While the standard FLIRT operates as an EMU drawing power from overhead lines, the design allows for the addition of a modular PowerPack that provides off-wire capability. These cars can house diesel engines driving electric generators (creating a diesel multiple unit, DMU), hydrogen fuel cells (zero-emission multiple unit, ZEMU), battery packs (battery electric multiple unit, BEMU), or combinations of these systems. Regardless of configuration, all FLIRT variants use electric traction motors on the powered axles, with the PowerPack serving only as a source of electrical power. This modular design enables operation on non-electrified routes or in mixed electrified and non-electrified networks.
The train's traction system is highly redundant with up to four independent drive chains. Compartments between the driving cab and the passenger saloon contain the primary and auxiliary IGBT-based traction converters supplied by ABB, which control the induction traction motors located in the bogies directly beneath. This configuration is used in all FLIRT variants, whether or not a PowerPack is installed. On shorter configurations of two carriages, only one bogie may be powered. On longer configurations of five or six carriages, a third powered bogie may be added at the centre of the train. Each powered bogie typically provides a continuous output of 660 to 1,000 kilowatts (890 to 1,340 hp) and a short-term maximum of 1,200 to 1,750 kW (1,610 to 2,350 hp). Depending on configuration, length, and weight, FLIRT units achieve maximum speeds between 127 and 200 kilometres per hour (79 and 124 mph), with acceleration rates ranging from 0.6 to 1.3 m/s2 (1.3 to 2.9 mph/s).
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