Desiro
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Image:Sageata albastra in pitesti station.jpg Image:BDZ-Siemens-Sofia-gruev.JPG Desiro is a brand name of modular trains manufactured by Siemens of Germany.
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Light train
The most common variant can be built as a diesel or electric multiple unit (DMU or EMU). It is used in Austria, Germany, Romania, Czech Republic, Denmark, Slovenia, Greece, Malaysia, Bulgaria and Hungary. Although there are various differences between these trains, the body design is the same.
These trains are mostly used for regional services. They are part of a new generation of light, modular trains which have become widespread in many European countries; sometime referred to as light train. These trains are relatively cheap to build and operate. Fast acceleration makes them suitable for train services with a short station distance. However, they are sometimes criticized for their lack of passenger comfort.
Desiro UK
Siemens uses the name Desiro UK for new EMU and DMU trains used by various United Kingdom train operators. These trains have a completely different design to the above Light train variant. The trainsets have modern facilities, such as biological waste storage tanks, ergonomic seats and spoken announcements and are considered amongst some of the most successful new trains to have been introduced since rail privatisation. All the electric units are owned by Angel Trains, whilst the diesel units are owned by HSBC Rail who lease them to the train operators.
| Class | Operator | Introduced | Number | Power | Carriages | Door configuration | End gangways |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 185 | First TransPennine Express | 2006 | 51 | Diesel | 3 | High-volume | No |
| 350 | Central Trains/Silverlink | 2004 | 30 | AC electric | 4 | High-volume | Yes |
| 360 | one/Heathrow Connect (originally First Great Eastern) | 2003 | 26 | AC electric | 4 | High-volume | No |
| 444 | South West Trains | 2004 | 45 | DC electric | 5 | Low-volume | Yes |
| 450 | South West Trains | 2003 | 110 | DC electric | 4 | High-volume | Yes |
South West Trains
Image:Class 450 Waterloo.jpg The first electric Desiro UK units were ordered by South West Trains for both short and long distance service out of Waterloo station to Alton, Basingstoke and the Hampshire/Dorset coast. They became two different classes, both use the750V DC third rail power supply.
- 45 x Class 444 five-car units for long distance intercity services, entered traffic 2004.
- 110 x Class 450 four-car units for commuter services, entered traffic 2003.
One
The East Anglia train operator One use 25Kv overhead electric supply units from London Liverpool Street to Clacton/Walton and Ipswich.
- 21 x Class 360 four-car units, entered traffic 2003.
Heathrow Connect
The stopping service between London Paddington and Heathrow Airport, Heathrow Connect, uses similar 25Kv overhead electric supply units.
Silverlink/Central Trains
As part of the West Coast Main Line modernisation the former Strategic Rail Authority ordered thirty Class 350 25KV overhead sets for use on stopping services. They are jointly operated by Silverlink and Central Trains. These units were originally ordered as Class 450 third rail units for South West Trains, however following a review by the Strategic Rail Authority they were diverted to the West Coast Main Line.
First TransPennine Express
To fulfil their franchise commitment First TransPennine Express has ordered the first diesel variant of the Desiro UK for use on intercity service across the north of England.
Desiro in Romania
Caile Ferate Romane (CFR), the national railway operator of Romania, is one of the largest users of Siemens Desiro trainsets (the light train variant). CFR, which is currently going through a process of modernisation to make it Eastern Europe's premier railway carrier, has bought many Desiro trainsets and uses them on Intercity (IC) routes, which serve as shuttles between main cities with very few stops and fast services. CFR is also planning to use them as part of a proposed commuter railway in Bucharest and Ilfov county. For more information on routes, see Caile Ferate Romane.
Desiro in Greece
In Greece Desiro trains are mainly used by the Athens suburban railway system (Proastiakós) on services connecting Athens International Airport to the main railway terminus (Larissa Station). They are also used on suburban services between Athens and Corinth operated by the National Railways (OSE). The Desiro trains to Corinth run on narrow-gauge lines and are thus smaller than Proastiakós's standard-gauge units. These OSE suburban lines from Athens to the satellite cities of Corinth and Chalkida, and with them the Desiro units, will eventually be transferred to Proastiakós in 2006 and 2007.
Desiros are also used on regional routes between smaller cities together with Siemens GTW trains. The regional service between Kalamata and the neighbouring TEI (Higher Technical School) campus, for example, is operated using Siemens GTWs and sometimes Desiro trains.
In the first months following OSE's acquisition of Desiro units they were also used (probably for testing and the evaluation of future potential) on longer routes extending as far as Larissa and Volos in Thessaly. Their unsuitability in terms of passenger comfort for such long journeys has, however, led to Desiros being restricted to suburban and short-distance regional routes.
At present all Desiro trains in Greece are diesel-powered but future electrification (planned for 2007; currently only the Plakentia-Airport section of the Airport line is electrified for use by Attiko Metro trains) and the creation of a suburban service in Thessaloniki will produce a need for EMUs (some of which have already been purchased by OSE) and the diesel-powered Desiros will probably be transferred to regional services between smaller cities (for example the Larissa-Volos service).
Desiro in Bulgaria
In 2005 and 2006, the Bulgarian State Railways began operating Desiro trains as part of an €67 million deal with Siemens AG for a total of 25 DMUs. As of 22 March 2006, 16 of the trains had been delivered and a number of them serve the Sofia-Kyustendil-Sofia line. Another €117 million deal for 25 EMUs has also been signed with Siemens AG, with deliveries expecting to finish until the end of 2007. The EMUs will be furnished in Varna, where BDZ and Siemens AG are set to establish a mixed company.