ABB traction technologies to drive reliable, energy-efficient trains destined for markets ranging from the United States to Europe’s highest mountain railway station
Zurich, Switzerland, January 16, 2015 – ABB, the leading power and automation technology group, received orders worth $40 million from Swiss train manufacturer Stadler Rail for train projects in Europe and the United States, extending the companies’ long partnership. The orders were booked in the last quarter of 2014.
ABB will supply its newest traction converters with integrated onboard power supplies as well as roof-mounted traction transformers. The equipment converts electricity from overhead power lines to the voltage levels needed by train motors as well as auxiliary power systems, including lighting, heating, ventilation, passenger information systems and automatic doors.
“These orders are an affirmation of the successful partnership between Stadler Rail and ABB,” said Pekka Tiitinen, president of ABB’s Discrete Automation and Motion division. “It underscores the importance of long term partnerships based on industry expertise and leading innovation.”
In Switzerland, the order includes four powerful new electrical mountain trains for the Jungfraubahn that transports visitors to Europe’s highest rail station at 3,454 meters above sea level, beneath the famed Eiger, Moench and Jungfrau mountains. The Jungfraubahn will be driven by the same generation of ABB traction converters as eight additional trains currently being refurbished by Stadler and ABB.
ABB will also supply lightweight, tailor-made compact traction converters with integrated onboard power supplies for electric and diesel-electric Stadler trains destined for Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) in California, for an expansion of the rail system linking cities including San Francisco