ROMANIA: National railway reform agency ARF has awarded Siemens Mobility a contract to supply 12 hydrogen multiple-units to enter service in spring 2029.
Mireo Plus H
Siemens Mobility’s Mireo Plus H units have an electric traction system powered by hydrogen fuel cells and batteries which are charged from the fuel cell or through regenerative braking.
The manufacturer said it had optimised the vehicle design to significantly reduce weight, component complexity, energy consumption and maintenance costs. The key components have already been proven in previous projects, to ensure technical maturity and operational reliability, Siemens Mobility added.
The 120 km/h two-unit articulated units for Romania will have 131 fixed and five folding seats, with air-conditioning, wi-fi, 220 V power sockets, spaces for bulky luggage and bicycles, an area for wheelchair users and windows which allow the passage of mobile phone signals.
They will be fitted with the PZB 90 national train protection system as well as ETCS. Up to two trains will be able to operate in multiple.
Maintenance included
The €229m contract signed on April 28 includes full maintenance at a dedicated depot in București for an initial term of 15 years, extendable for a further 15 years.
The manufacturer will use its Railigent X digital maintenance and fleet management systems to optimise availability and extend component and battery lifetimes.
‘We are proud to deliver the first fleet of hydrogen trains for Romania’, said Andre Rodenbeck, CEO Rolling Stock at Siemens Mobility. ‘Hydrogen will play a key role in achieving climate‑neutral mobility in Europe, and this project clearly demonstrates how innovation can be translated into reliable and economically attractive rail solutions.’
‘A brave but necessary step’
The order is being financed through the EU backed Transport Programme for 2021-27, with co-financing from the state budget.
Operator CFR Călători will be allocated two HEMUs for use on the București Nord – Târgoviște route, one for Pitești – Curtea de Argeș, three for București Nord – Pitești – Craiova, one for București Nord – Henri Coandă Airport and three for București Nord – Pitești.
Transferoviar will be allocated one train for the București Nord – Târgoviște route and one for București Nord – Henri Coandă Airport services.
‘Through this contract, we are not just buying trains — we are changing the direction of rail transport in Romania’, said ARF President Claudiu-Marinel Mureșan. ‘Hydrogen trains mean clean technology, efficiency and an answer for non-electrified routes, where until now the options have been limited. And we have enough such routes.
‘Romania is no longer standing on the sidelines, but is joining the ranks of countries building the future of mobility. It is a brave but necessary step, through which we demonstrate that we can bring European innovation home and transform it into real benefits for people.’