A special kind of new development will be presented at InnoTrans in the form of the fire and rescue multiple unit that Stadler is building for ÖBB Infrastruktur AG on behalf of Rail Equipment GmbH. The train is 68 metres long (accessible throughout) and can travel at speeds of up to 160 km/h. The vehicle’s technical highlight is its trimodal electric hybrid drive, which can be supplied with energy from the overhead contact line as well as from powerful underfloor traction batteries or from a diesel generator. This makes it completely self-sufficient when deployed and allows it to operate independently in smoke-filled tunnels to bring people to safety and extinguish burning vehicles, for example. 

In an emergency, the fire and rescue MU can accommodate over 300 people, who are effectively protected from flue gases inside. The entire train is pressure-resistant (permanent slight overpressure) and the air-conditioning system is equipped with special filters. It will be used not only in emergencies, but also for regular service and maintenance work, and has enough power to tow damaged trains weighing up to 2 000 tonnes or to supply a defective train with electricity, even without an overhead contact line. 

Furthermore, it has 40 000 litres of water and 1 000 litres of foam compound on board, making it extremely well equipped for fire fighting. Its powerful extinguisher systems can be operated at either 10 bar (normal pressure for traditional fire fighting) or 100 bar (spray mist for cooling or fire prevention). 

Presentation fire and rescue MU, ÖBB Rail Equipment

Track T08/50, 25 September 2024; 15:30pm