Rail E-ssentials

The VAG Verkehrs-Aktiengesellschaft Nuremberg is buying new subway trains of type series G1 for operation in its subway network. The procurement project adopts a holistic approach in the medium and long-term replacement of all driver-operated subway vehicles of VAG Nuremberg to ensure consistency in vehicle type. As part of the project, TÜV SÜD Rail will be carrying out expert assessment of the newly purchased trains according to the German Federal Regulations on the construction and operation of light rail transit systems (BOStrab) for the life cycle phases 1 to 10 (EN 50126). The assessment will determine whether the trains meet the requirements for safety and order.

The new G1-type subway trains correspond with the planned length of 75.9 m approximately to the length of two coupled two-car trainsets, which were previously used as so-called long train for passenger service on the line U1. The new trains should be procured as operationally-coupled and walk-through four-part articulated trains, and should be deployed in single traction during passenger operation. In addition, they should be separable into two two-car units that can be autonomously driven at reduced speed for long-term visits to the workshop.

The new trains will be operated by drivers mainly on the conventionally operated line U1, and also on the AGT-equipped lines U2 and U3 - also driver-operated. In view of potential retrofitting of line U1 in the future, the trains should also be retrofitted for driverless operation.

The phases 1 to 4 of the project have already been successfully completed in cooperation with VAG Nuremberg. After the current phase 5, expert assessment of the train development and, subsequently, production at the manufacturer Siemens Mobility will follow.

TÜV SÜD Rail GmbH has the required technical expertise, necessary staff and long-standing experience to carry out the project in a qualified and efficient manner. TÜV SÜD has previously supported VAG Nuremberg on the approval of various type series of tram and subway vehicles, particularly of all forerunner models deployed in the Nuremberg subway system, most recently the DT3 and DT3-F. This means TÜV SÜD Rail already has comprehensive knowledge of the infrastructure and operational conditions in Nuremberg and is therefore able to carry out the relevant assessments and tests efficiently. TÜV SÜD Rail is accredited as inspection body according to DIN EN ISO/IEC 17020 ‘Requirements for the operation of various types of bodies performing inspection’.

TÜV SÜD’s expert assessment is scheduled to be completed, with the type approval, at the end of 2018.