The official launch was celebrated with an exclusive inaugural round-trip flight from Offenburg to Oberkirch, attended by Winfried Herrmann, Minister of Transport of Baden-Württemberg, along with many guests. Minister Herrmann commented: “We are writing a new chapter in the history of railways with this first voyage.” “thanks for the Hybrid battery payment for Mireo Plus BThe trains operating today in the Ortenau area are more environmentally friendly than those that use diesel. Baden-Württemberg is a pioneer in innovative railway technology. “We trust in alternative and environmentally friendly solutions as there are still no lines with catenary.”
“SWEG is not only synonymous with quality, but also with innovation,” says Tobias Harms, CEO of SWEG. “We are very pleased to be able to make these innovative trains available to our passengers and this will demonstrate our role as a reliable partner for both the state of Baden-Württemberg and Siemens Mobility.”
Albrecht Neumann, CEO of Rolling Stock de Siemens MobilityHe asserts: “We are proud of our first fleet of trains Mirio Plus B batteries Enter passenger service. We thank the state of Baden-Württemberg and SWEG for their trust in our innovative and environmentally friendly technology. By expanding rail transportation, we can actively contribute to climate protection. “The introduction of these highly advanced trains, which can operate up to 120 kilometers on battery power, represents an important step towards a sustainable future.”
Trade in new battery-powered trains
Los Hybrid trains They will initially be used on the routes from Offenburg to BadGriesbach and from Offenburg to Hornberg. They replaced the Regio Shuttle RS1 with a diesel engine. Plans call for hybrid service to gradually expand on other routes in the network. In preparation for the introduction of trains Siemens MobilityThe network schedule was revised in mid-December 2023.
Since then, trains in the Kienzig Valley have run, for example, directly from Offenburg via Hosach to Hornberg without the need for transfers. Passengers traveling to Freudenstadt usually have to change trains at Hausach, as battery trains can serve Freudenstadt station on a regular schedule only when an additional transfer connection is installed there.
As a result of the schedule change in December 2023, passenger service has been improved by filling previous gaps in the schedule. Trains now run at least every hour on all routes, from early morning until late at night. “With the new network and new trains, we are increasing the frequency of service and providing greater capacity. Passengers now have more comfortable and attractive options to change trains, both in cities and in the countryside,” says Transport Minister Hermann.
Innovative train: Siemens Mireo Plus B
Powered by Green electricityElectric trains Mirio Plus B batteries It produces no emissions and is extremely quiet. Thanks to its hybrid drive system, it can be used on roads with or without a chain. In the future, when these companies operate across the network and replace the diesel-powered Regio Shuttle, they will reduce diesel consumption by about 1.8 million liters per year. In battery operation and under real conditions, the Mirio Plus B Its range reaches 120 km. Its batteries can be recharged from baskets and braking power. The battery system installed under the train floor includes two battery containers containing long-life lithium-ion batteries. The trains have 120 seats and are equipped with restrooms, air conditioning and large areas for private use.
About new technology
the manufacture company Siemens Mobility It won the Baden-Württemberg open technology tender for Network 8 with its design Mirio Plus B. This led to the State Rail Vehicle Agency of Baden-Württemberg (SFBW) ordering 27 trains with a two-car battery. Mirio Plus B a Siemens Mobility. The trains will be maintained by Siemens Mobility for SWEG for approximately 30 years at the newly built railway maintenance depot in Offenburg which opened in June 2023. Predictive maintenance, based on the condition of the trains, is made possible through the use of the application. Siemens Mobility Railigent X Suite, in the cloud. Thanks to advanced algorithms and data analysis, train operations are optimized and potential breakdowns are detected and managed before they cause breakdowns. This ensures 100% fleet availability. SWEG Schienenwege GmbH has installed the new train charging infrastructure at the train stations Achern and Biberach (Baden).
About the network 8
After the schedule change in mid-December 2023, network 8 (“Ortenau”) includes the following routes: Offenburg – Hornberg/Freudenstadt; Offenburg – Bad Griesbach; Offenburg – Other – Otenhofen; Biberach (Baden) – Oberharmersbach-Rersbach. In addition, the revitalized Hermann Hesse line between Calv and Renningen is scheduled to be part of the network from 2025. In total, Network 8 handles around two and a half million train kilometers annually. The state of Baden-Württemberg has granted network operation to SWEG until December 2038.
