Stadler launched its new RS Zero battery/hydrogen-powered successor to the Regio Shuttle DMU at InnoTrans on September 24 and during the presentation, Stadler’s Vice-President for Marketing and Sales, Dr. Ansgar Brockmeyer, announced a trial contract for use of the prototype starting next year.
The entirely new aluminum-bodied 120km/h train can be offered with either or a combination of battery and hydrogen traction sources. It is planned to be made available in both single and two car versions. The new RS Zero is seen as the successor to the successful RegioShuttle DMU that was built by Stadler and has been used widely across Germany since the 1990s. More than 500 trains have been delivered, although some are now in use in other countries such as the Czech Republic.
According to Brockmeyer the new 27.4-meter-long (89.9-foot-long) RS Zero uses the same design architecture as the RegioShuttle with traction motors, rather than diesel engines used in the Regioshuttle, located under the driver’s cab, meaning the new train is largely low floor between the bogies. Brockmeyer added that the RS Zero is entirely new as rebuilding existing Regioshuttle trains with battery or hydrogen fuel cells was considered not to be possible as TSI standards have changed since the trains were introduced.
The new RS Zero will be available with a variety of internal configurations as specified by customers and unlike the original RegioShuttle DMU will be available as a two-car train. With an axle load of 18 tonnes the new train is designed as suitable for use on secondary regional lines as well as mainline sections of the network.
Dr. Brockmeyer announced that a trial contract for use of the prototype train was signed on September 24 with Erfurter Bahn in the eastern German state of Thuringia. Following approval testing in 2024-2025 use by Erfurter Bahn is planned in 2025.
Read an exclusive in-depth feature on the RS Zero in the September issue of IRJ, which is available to website subscribers here.
