MVG Class C

MVG Class C
MVG Class C train at Neuperlach Süd station in April 2009
In service 2002–Present
Manufacturer Siemens, Bombardier
Designer Alexander Neumeister
Replaced MVG Class A (A2.1 & A2.2)
Constructed 2000–2014
Number built C1: 108 vehicles (18 sets)
C2: 126 vehicles (21 sets)
Number in service C1: 102 vehicles (17 sets)
C2: 96 vehicles (16 sets)
Formation 6 cars per trainset
Fleet numbers 601–618, 701–721
Capacity C1: 912 (252 seated)
C2: 940 (220 seated)
Operator(s) MVG
Specifications
Car body construction Aluminium
Train length 115,000 mm (377 ft 4 in)
Car length 19,780 mm (64 ft 11 in) (end cars)
18,820 mm (61 ft 9 in) (intermediate cars)
Width 2,900 mm (9 ft 6 in)
Height 3,550 mm (11 ft 8 in)
Doors 3 pairs per side
Maximum speed 80 km/h (50 mph)
Weight 164 t (C1), 180 t (C2)
Traction system Three-phase
Power output C1: 2,400 kW (3,220 hp)
C2: 4,500 hp (3,355 kW)
Electric system(s) 750V DC, 3rd rail
Current collection method contact shoe
Braking system(s) Electric brake, pneumatic brake, spring accumulator brake
Safety system(s) LZB
Coupling system Scharfenberg (non-electrical)
Track gauge 1,435 mm (4 ft 8 1⁄2 in)

The MVG Class C is an electric multiple unit (EMU) train type operated by the Münchner Verkehrsgesellschaft on the Munich U-Bahn system since 2002.[1] It is the first type of rolling stock on the Munich U-Bahn that consists of more than two cars and features gangways between the individual cars.[1]

Design

The first concept intended a three car train.[1] Those plans were later revised to a six car formation, with the exterior and interior designed by Alexander Neumeister.[2] The newer C2 trains are based on the C1, and are also designed by Neumeister. For its design, the C2 trains were awarded a German Design Award,[3] Red Dot Design Award for product design 2013, and Universal Design Consumer Favorite award 2013.[4]

Formation

Every Class C train consists of six cars, which are connected by gangways allowing passengers to walk through the whole train. While the shortest technically possible formation consists of two end cars and one intermediate car, every train in service has been running in a six car formation.[2] Their length of 115 m (377 ft)[2] makes them the longest subway trains in Germany.[1]

The Class C was delivered in three batches:[2]

  • C1.9: fleet numbers 601–610, delivered from 2001
  • C1.10: fleet numbers 611–618, delivered from 2005
  • C2.11: fleet numbers 701–721, delivered from 2013

C1 series

Car 123456
Numbering (sets 601–609) 660x860x865x875x870x760x
Numbering (sets 610–618) 661x861x866x876x871x761x
Capacity (seated) 384444444438
  • Car 1 is at the northern end, and car 6 is at the southern end.


Interior

Seating accommodation consists of longitudinal seating in the end cars and transverse seating bays in the intermediate cars with longitudinal seats near the gangways to the adjacent cars.[2] Only the transverse seats are upholstered; the longitudinal seats are made out of wood. LED panels display the station names, accompanied by automated announcements. The C1 trains have a total capacity of 912 passengers, with 252 seated and 660 standing.[2] The C2.11 trains feature LED interior lighting, LCD passenger information screens, CCTV security cameras and upholstery on all seats.[5] LED stripes on the door edges of the C2 trains show passengers when the doors can be opened and when they are closing. The C2 trains have a total capacity of 940 passengers, with 220 seated and 720 standing.[3] The ceiling-mounted handrails were criticized as being too high, thus only being accessible by tall passengers.[6]

Technical specifications

The C1 trains were manufactured jointly by Siemens and Bombardier Transportation, with Siemens building the electrical parts and Bombardier being responsible for the car bodies, bogies, brakes and lighting equipment.[1] The car bodies are made out of aluminium, and the trains are powered by IGBT-controlled[1] three-phase motors. Every axle is powered by one 100 kW motor, bringing the total power output of one C1 train to 2,400 kW (3,220 hp).[2] The C2 trains were manufactured completely by Siemens,[5] and have a power output of 4,500 hp (3,355 kW)[3] with a maximum speed of 80 km/h (50 mph) in passenger service, although their maximum design speed is 90 km/h (55 mph).[6]

History

The first trains, classified as C1.9, were ordered in 1997, with deliveries beginning in 2001.[1] Weak spots on the couplers were discovered during test runs, leading to the trains not being approved by the authorities. The already delivered sets were moved back to Bombardiers Berlin plant for modifications.[2] The first trains entered service in 2002.[1] Eight additional sets, classified as C1.10, were delivered in 2005. Another 21 sets, classified as C2.11, were ordered in 2010[7] with an option of 46 more.[8] Worth 185 million Euro, it is the biggest rolling stock order in the history of the Munich U-Bahn.[5] The first painted bodyshell was unveiled at the Siemens plant in Vienna on October 5, 2012.[9] Originally intended to enter passenger service in 2013, the Technical Authority of Oberbayern didn't gave their permission due to faulty doors and problems regarding the loading gauge.[8] The first C2 trains entered passenger service on June 17, 2016, between Kieferngarten and Garching-Forschungszentrum stations on line U6.[10][7] The C2 trains then operated on the whole line U6 with a temporary permission, which was due to expire on April 31, 2018.[11] On June 14, 2018, the permission was expanded to line U3, with set 716 being the first C2 train entering passenger service on line U3 on the same day.[12]

Incidents and accidents

  • On May 7, 2015, C1 set 618 ran into a buffer stop on a siding track at Feldmoching station, due to human error.[13] The train was not in revenue service and carried no passengers, only the driver was on board, who suffered a shock. Structural damages on the car bodies of the end car and the adjacent intermediate car resulted in set 618 being permanently removed from regular service to undergo repairs.[13]
  • On September 28, 2015, one C1 train broke down south of Holzapfelkreuth station. Another train was used to push the defective C1 train to a siding track at Klinikum Großhadern station. While passing through Großhadern station, the coupling between two cars broke, resulting in the gangway being ripped apart.[14] The cause was found to be insufficient assembly of screws during maintenance by an external company. Six trains had to be temporarily withdrawn and inspected following this incident.[15][14]
  • In September 2017, all C2 trains in service were temporarily withdrawn after electric flash-overs happened at the contact shoes.[8]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Pabst, Martin (2006). S-Bahn- und U-Bahn-Fahrzeuge in Deutschland [S-Bahn and U-Bahn vehicles in Germany] (in German) (2nd ed.). GeraMond. pp. 19, 72–73. ISBN 3-7654-7366-9.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Pischek, Wolfgang; Junghardt, Holger (2012). Die Münchner U-Bahn - unterirdisch durch die bayerische Landeshauptstadt [The Munich U-Bahn - underground through the Bavarian State capital] (in German) (3rd ed.). Munich: GeraMond. pp. 60–63, 124. ISBN 3-7654-7194-1.
  3. 1 2 3 "Das ist Münchens neue Super-U-Bahn" [This is Munich's new super subway]. merkur.de (in German). Münchner Merkur. February 21, 2014. Retrieved April 19, 2018.
  4. ↑ "Auszeichnung: C2-Zug erhält Red-Dot-Award" [Award: C2 train receives Red-Dot-Award]. eurailpress.de (in German). DVV Media Group GmbH / Eurailpress. July 3, 2013. Retrieved April 19, 2018.
  5. 1 2 3 "Münchens neue Super-U-Bahn rollt jetzt auf einer Linie" [Munich's new super subway now runs on one line]. merkur.de (in German). Münchner Merkur. June 17, 2016. Retrieved April 19, 2018.
  6. 1 2 "München: Neue U-Bahn-Züge mit leuchtenden LED" [Munich: New subway trains with LED lights]. muenchen.tv (in German). München Live TV Fernsehen GmbH & Co.KG. August 26, 2016. Retrieved April 19, 2018.
  7. 1 2 "First C2 metro train enters service in München". railwaygazette.com. Railway Gazette. June 17, 2016. Retrieved April 19, 2018.
  8. 1 2 3 Schubert, Andreas (October 27, 2017). "Die MVG braucht dringend U-Bahnen - doch die stehen im Depot" [The MVG desperately needs subway trains - but they are at the depot]. Süddeutsche Zeitung (in German). Retrieved April 19, 2018.
  9. ↑ "München's new metro car unveiled". railwaygazette.com. Railway Gazette. October 8, 2012. Retrieved April 19, 2018.
  10. ↑ "U6: Neue U-Bahn endlich in Betrieb" [U6: New subway finally in service]. abendzeitung-muenchen.de (in German). Abendzeitung München. June 17, 2016. Retrieved April 19, 2018.
  11. ↑ "MVG ist weiter unzufrieden mit den neuen U-Bahnen" [MVG is still not satisfied with new subway trains]. abendzeitung-muenchen.de (in German). Abendzeitung München. February 7, 2018. Retrieved April 19, 2018.
  12. ↑ "München" [Munich]. Blickpunkt Straßenbahn (in German). Vol. 4/2018 no. 238. Arbeitsgemeinschaft Blickpunkt Straßenbahn e.V. 2018. pp. 105–106. ISSN 0173-0290.
  13. 1 2 Völklein, Marco (July 6, 2016). "Münchner U-Bahn rauscht auf Prellbock - und niemand soll was mitbekommen" [Munich subway train runs into buffer stop - and nobody should notice]. Süddeutsche Zeitung (in German). Retrieved April 19, 2018.
  14. 1 2 Völklein, Marco (September 29, 2015). "Sechs U-Bahnzüge fallen aus" [Six subway trains are cancelled]. Süddeutsche Zeitung (in German). Retrieved April 19, 2018.
  15. ↑ "MVG: Kupplung bei U-Bahn gebrochen" [MVG: subway train coupling broke]. merkur.de (in German). Münchner Merkur. September 15, 2015. Retrieved April 19, 2018.
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