Sprinter Lighttrain

The Sprinter Lighttrain or SLT is an Electric Multiple Unit (EMU) train type operated by the Nederlandse Spoorwegen in the Netherlands. They were built from 2007 to 2012 by Bombardier (2400) and Siemens (2600). It is the successor of the Sprinter SGM train type.

NS Sprinter Lighttrain (SLT) – Class 2400 / 2600
NS2463 at 't Harde
Second class interior
In service2009–present
ManufacturerBombardier (2400)
Siemens (2600)
Built atAachen and Hennigsdorf (2400)
Uerdingen (2600)
ReplacedMat '64, NS DD-AR
Constructed2007–2012
RefurbishedTalbot (2018–2021)
Number built69 (2400)
62 (2600)
Formation4: mABk + mB + B + mABk (2400)
mABk + mB + AB + B + mB + mABk (2600)
Fleet numbers2401–2469, 2601–2662
Capacity40 1st class, 176 2nd class (2400)
56 1st class, 266 2nd class (2600)
Operator(s)NS Reizigers
Specifications
Train length69.36 m (227 ft 6+34 in) (2400)
100.54 m (329 ft 10+14 in) (2600)
Width2.84 m (9 ft 3+34 in)
Height4.21 m (13 ft 9+34 in)
Floor height1,055 mm (3 ft 5+12 in)
Entry850 mm (2 ft 9+12 in)
Doors12 (2400)
20 (2600)
Articulated sections4 (2400)
6 (2600)
Wheel diameter850 mm (2 ft 9+12 in)
Maximum speed
  • Service:
  • 140 km/h (90 mph)
  • Design:
  • 160 km/h (100 mph)
Weight129 t (127 long tons; 142 short tons) (2400)
176 t (173 long tons; 194 short tons) (2600)
Axle load18.5 t (18.2 long tons; 20.4 short tons)
Power output1,260 kW (1,690 hp) (2400)
1,680 kW (2,253 hp) (2600)
Electric system(s)1.5 kV DC Catenary
Current collector(s)Pantograph
Safety system(s)ATB-EG, ERTMS
Track gauge1,435 mm (4 ft 8+12 in) standard gauge

Names

  • Sprinter Lighttrain
  • Sprinter
  • SLT
  • S70 or S100

General information

2607 arriving at Amsterdam Amstel.

The SLT is designed to replace the Mat '64 trains from the 1960s and 1970s, and to allow the double-decker NS DD-AR carriages from the 1990s to be refurbished/converted into self-propelling EMUs and transferred to longer, skip-stop Intercity services. The first 35 sets were ordered in 2005 and the first set, 2402 arrived in January 2008. The second set, 2602 arrived in February 2008 and both were used on test runs. In September 2007 NS ordered a further 64 sets, and these started arriving in the Netherlands in mid-2009. In 2009 a further 32 were ordered. The trains use regenerative braking, which can feed energy back into the contact wire when they brake.

The trains are based on the DB Class 425 design, but adapted to meet the demands of the Sprinter. They use Jacobs bogies, which allow for thin and wide gangways between each coach. The units were built in Aachen and Hennigsdorf (2400) and Uerdingen (2600).

The SLT trains are fitted with the ATB-EG train protection system used on the electrified Dutch network, as well as the European-standard ERTMS system that is planned to replace ATB-EG. The SLT trains are also fitted with GSM-R train radios.

Modernisation

From 2018 onwards, all units are being retrofitted with on-board toilets and a special sliding step for wheelchair users, in response to the need to provide on-board toilets on all trains running on the hoofdrailnet as stipulated in the contract for NS to operate the 2015–25 concession. The toilet retrofit is conducted at the Talbot Services GmbH workshops in Aachen; of which 2 units are in the workshops at any one time. The expectations are that these modernisations will be completed in 2021.

Use of Sprinter Lighttrains

The SLT is primarily for the Randstad area, around the four main cities (Amsterdam, Utrecht, The Hague and Rotterdam). They are used on stoptrein stopping services, designed for routes where stations are close together and for this they feature many wide doors and fast acceleration.

After many test runs without passengers, they were put into service on 23 February 2009 between Den Haag CentraalGoudaUtrecht Centraal, two months later than planned. Passengers were happy with the comfort, no step between the train and the platform and the fresh interior, however the trains back then lacked on-board toilets.

Problems occurred, especially when there was a four-car and a six-car unit coupled together, so the test was stopped temporarily on 1 May 2009. The test started again on 21 September 2009, outside of the peak hours. Again there were problems, and the delivery of sets was stopped for the time being.

With the December 2009 timetable change, sets were put in again between Utrecht and Den Haag, as well as between Gouda and Rotterdam. In February 2010, the delivery of new sets was restarted, with four sets arriving each week. In May 2010 SLT sets also began operating between Rotterdam Centraal and Hoek van Holland Strand and on 24 May 2010 also between Utrecht Centraal and Baarn via Soest.

In December 2010 more than 2/3 of the SLT's failed after snowfall, leaving the NS to revert to the old trains that had recently been stored out of services.[1][2]

Services operated

The SLT's are regularly used on these services in the current timetable (2017). They can sometimes appear on other services.

Series Train Type Route Material Notes
4000 Sprinter UitgeestZaandamAmsterdam SloterdijkAmsterdam CentraalAmsterdam AmstelAmsterdam Bijlmer ArenABreukelenGoudaRotterdam AlexanderRotterdam Centraal SLT
4300 HoofddorpSchiphol AirportAmsterdam ZuidDuivendrechtWeespAlmere CentrumAlmere Oostvaarders
4600 Den Haag CentraalDen Haag Laan van NOILeiden CentraalHoofddorpSchiphol AirportAmsterdam SloterdijkAmsterdam Centraal SLT,

SNG

This train continues as 14600 to Zwolle
4900 Utrecht CentraalUtrecht OvervechtHilversumNaarden-BussumAlmere Centrum SLT This train stops only towards Utrecht Centraal in Utrecht Overvecht. At Sundays, this train drives is only 1 train per hour. This train drives until 8:00 pm
5700 HoofddorpSchiphol AirportAmsterdam ZuidDuivendrechtWeespNaarden-BussumHilversumUtrecht OvervechtUtrecht Centraal This train drives until 8:00 pm
5800 HoofddorpSchiphol AirportAmsterdam SloterdijkAmsterdam Centraal This train continues as 15800 to Amersfoort Vathorst
6000 Utrecht CentraalHoutenGeldermalsenTiel This train continues as 6100 to Woerden at Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays.
6100 WoerdenUtrecht Centraal This train drives only at weekdays until 8:00 pm and continues as 6000 to Woerden, but not at Wednesdays.
6800 Den Haag CentraalZoetermeerGoudaGouda Goverwelle This train drives only at weekdays until 8:00 pm
6900 Utrecht CentraalHoutenGeldermalsen's-Hertogenbosch This train drives only 1 train per hour between Geldermalsen and 's-Hertogenbosch, after 10:00 pm. This train continues as 7800 to Den Haag Centraal
7300 Breukelen – Utrecht Centraal – Veenendaal Centrum SLT, SGMm
7400 Uitgeest – Zaandam – Amsterdam Sloterdijk – Amsterdam CentraalAmsterdam AmstelAmsterdam Bijlmer ArenA - BreukelenUtrecht CentraalDriebergen-ZeistRhenen SLT, SGM
7800 Den Haag CentraalZoetermeerGoudaWoerdenUtrecht Centraal SLT This train continues as 6900 to 's-Hertogenbosch
8800 Intercity Leiden Centraal – Leiden LammenschansAlphen aan den RijnBodegravenWoerden – Utrecht Centraal SLT
14600 Sprinter Amsterdam CentraalWeespAlmere CentrumAlmere OostvaardersLelystad CentrumZwolle SLT,SNG This train continues as 4600 to Den Haag Centraal.
14900 Utrecht CentraalUtrecht OvervechtHilversumNaarden-BussumAlmere Centrum SLT This train only drives after 8:00 pm and drives only 1 time per hour between Hilversum and Almere Centrum.
15600 Amersfoort Centraal – Nijkerk – Harderwijk This train stops only on Amersfoort Centraal, Nijkerk and Harderwijk
15800 Amsterdam CentraalWeespNaarden-BussumHilversumAmersfoort Amersfoort Vathorst This train continues as 5800 to Hoofddorp.

Accidents and incidents

2012 collision involving an NS Sprinter Lighttrain unit (left)

References

  1. "Sprinter kan niet tegen sneeuw". telegraaf.nl. Retrieved 23 September 2016.
  2. "Tweederde nieuwe sprinters NS kapot". nu.nl. Retrieved 23 September 2016.
  3. "Drie gewonden bij treinbotsing Leiden" [Three wounded in train crash in Leiden] (in Dutch). De Telegraaf. 28 November 2011. Retrieved 10 June 2016.
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