Electric trains on Schönbuchbahn set to commence operation at the end of July
In the realm of public transportation, the much-anticipated Nexio trains on the Schoebuchbahn line between Böblingen and Holzgerlingen have faced numerous challenges. Peter Schwab, a renowned journalist, delves into the intricacies of this story in his latest article.
Technical issues and necessary adjustments related to the new rolling stock and infrastructure compatibility have been the primary causes of delays. Challenges included delays in the delivery and certification of the new electric trains, as well as the need for additional testing and modifications to ensure safe and reliable operation on the existing tracks and signaling systems.
The initial start dates for the new trains were set for May 2024 and then December of the same year, but were delayed due to the need to adapt the brakes to regular rail traffic requirements. The Federal Railway Authority thwarted the initial plans due to the testing procedure not being completed by the two scheduled dates in 2024.
A dispute between the Spanish manufacturer and the Schoebuchbahn association about responsibility for the delay occurred, resulting in a seven million euro damage claim by the Böblingen District Administration. To avoid a lawsuit and further delays, a settlement has now been reached to allow the association to offset five million euros against the 19-year maintenance contract in installments. The association had refused to pay the final installment, and the manufacturer had refused to hand over the trains, leading to a potential lawsuit and further delays.
Throughout this process, thorough technical evaluations and iterative testing phases were carried out, involving coordination between the train manufacturer, local transport authorities, and infrastructure operators. Any identified technical problems were addressed through software updates, equipment modifications, and enhanced staff training. Additionally, the timeline was adapted to allow comprehensive safety certifications and trial runs before full service commencement.
This collaborative process ensured that the electric trains eventually met all operational standards, allowing the launch to proceed with confidence in service reliability and passenger safety. The new electric trains on the Schoebuchbahn between Böblingen and Holzgerlingen will start running on July 26, ending a story of delays.
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- The delays in the launch of the Nexio trains on the Schoebuchbahn line between Böblingen and Holzgerlingen have been influenced by issues not only in the realm of public transportation, but also in the finance industry, as a seven million euro damage claim was made due to a dispute between the Spanish manufacturer and the Schoebuchbahn association.
- The new electric trains, slated to run on the Schoebuchbahn between Böblingen and Holzgerlingen, have faced challenges with compatibility in both the transportation sector (in terms of safety certifications and trial runs) and the finance sector (negotiations leading to a settlement for offsetting costs).
