Think Railways

Within the scope of an option Verkehrsbetriebe Karlsruhe GmbH (VBK) and Albtal-Verkehrs-Gesellschaft (AVG) have ordered another 25 light rail vehicles of the type “Citylink NET 2012” from the consortium Vossloh Rail Vehicles – Vossloh Kiepe. The original contract on the supply of 25 new low-floor vehicles was concluded in 2011 and comprises two options for altogether 50 vehicles.

The Citylink Net 2012 is a barrier-free LRV, which can be operated on all tram lines of the VBK in the city and in the region on the light rail lines S1 and S11 of the AVG between Hochstetten and Bad Herrenalb / Ittersbach. Thus, the vehicle connects the area surrounding Karlsruhe with the inner city of Karlsruhe and contributes considerably to high urban mobility. The first vehicles from the original order were put into operation in October last year. About half of the first vehicle lot has already arrived in Karlsruhe; several of these vehicles already perform scheduled operation and are used as driver school vehicles.

Just as their predecessors, the Citylink vehicles ordered now have been tailor-made to the Karlsruhe infrastructure and to the regional lines on which they are to be operated. The NET 2012 provides barrier-free access at many reconstructed or new platforms with a height of 34 cm. Thus, on the one hand, the vehicle ensures boarding and alighting at street level and, on the other hand, it fulfills the high collision requirements for a regional rail vehicle, which means that people with restricted mobility or with prams can board the vehicle at street level despite its serviceability on regional lines.

The extremely lightweight optimized structure responds to the high structural requirements without reducing safety or penalizes weight. The driver’s cab is designed to allow great visibility. The compact pivoting bogies are equipped with pneumatic secondary suspension which provides superior dynamic characteristics as well as comfortable and smooth ride.

The modern traction system of Vossloh Kiepe provides reliable and innovative electric technology. Vossloh Kiepe delivers the complete traction equipment, the vehicle control system, the on-board power supply system, the air conditioning system for the passenger compartment and the driver’s cab, the train protection system and the passenger information system as well as the CCTV.

Vossloh Rail Vehicles has developed the Citylink NET 2012 and produces the bogies, bodyshells and assemblies the light rail vehicles.