ABB wins $170m order to power more than 300 new European and UK trains

ABB has received orders worth $170m to power more than 300 new trains with energy-efficient traction technologies.

The orders, from Spanish firm Stadler Valencia, aim to ‘modernise and reinforce’ train transportation in countries including Spain, Portugal, the UK, Germany and Austria, as well as some European railway corridors. ABB will supply its traction converters, and motors to power the trains. 

Many of the trains are based on Stadler’s tram-train Citylink model, a barrier-free light rail vehicle specially designed to connect city centres with surrounding areas without a change of train. Citylinks can operate electrically on the tram network and mainline services, at speeds of up to 100km/h.

The ABB technologies will also power some locomotives for goods transportation.

The trains will be powered by traction systems from ABB’s Bordline family. The systems convert the electrical energy from the overhead power line to the correct voltage and frequency to drive the traction motors.

The selected converters for Citylink will integrate all the power electronics – traction and auxiliary power – in one box, minimising vehicle weight, saving energy and easing maintenance.

Bordline Compact Converters for locomotives will also be optimised to increase energy efficiency and reduce lifecycle costs.

Traction solutions from ABB can take the design specifics of the trains into account, the company said, as well as the operating environment, including climate conditions and different geographies.

“We are excited to be writing the future of sustainable mobility with these projects,” said Edgar Keller, president of ABB’s traction division. “Bringing our traction technologies to these new trains means bringing more energy efficiency, safety and availability for the train transportation system in Europe and the UK. We greatly appreciate Stadler’s ongoing trust in our technologies and expertise of the traction industry. We look forward to working with Stadler to design the trains of the future.”