Stadler FLIRT
Stadler FLIRT is a family of passenger multiple unit trainsets made by Stadler Rail of Switzerland. The FLIRT is an electric multiple unit articulated trainset that can be configured with between two and six cars, featuring four to six powered axles. The trains have a maximum speed of.
While the standard FLIRT is an EMU powered by overhead lines, a modular PowerPack car can be added for off-wire operation. The PowerPack may contain diesel engines, hydrogen fuel cells, batteries, or combinations thereof, while traction remains fully electric. This modular setup allows operation on both electrified and non-electrified routes.
The FLIRT was originally developed for the Swiss Federal Railways and first delivered in 2004. The design proved highly successful and adaptable, leading to orders for more than 2,750 units from operators across 24 countries. The first bi-mode FLIRT units, combining overhead electric operation with diesel power packs, were ordered by Italy's Aosta Valley region in 2015. Tri-mode versions, combining diesel, electric, and battery operation, were first ordered by Transport for Wales in 2018. The first hydrogen fuel-cell variant was ordered in 2019 for Arrow in San Bernardino County, California, United States.
Specifications
Although the earliest versions of the FLIRT physically resemble the preceding Stadler GTW series—designed for lower-speed local services—the FLIRT was developed for higher-speed regional operations and has since also replaced the GTW in many local roles.FLIRT trainsets are highly modular in design and can be configured with two to six passenger carriages, with or without an additional PowerPack car. Electric variants are available for all common power supply systems, both AC and DC, and for standard- and broad-gauge networks. Automatic couplers at both ends allow up to four trainsets to operate in multiple, including cross-operation with Stadler's double-deck KISS units.
The FLIRT can use Jacobs bogies shared between adjacent coaches, conventional bogies, or a combination of both, and features wide, walk-through gangways. It can be built with an entirely high-floor layout or a combination of high- and up to 90% low-floor sections. To provide level boarding at most stations, the floor height at the entrances can range from. Each side of the vehicle has one or two wide, bi-parting sliding doors per carriage. Passenger areas can be fitted out to include toilets, food service areas, or sleeping compartments, depending on operator needs.
While the standard FLIRT operates as an EMU drawing power from overhead lines, the design allows for the addition of a modular PowerPack that provides off-wire capability. These cars can house diesel engines driving electric generators, hydrogen fuel cells, battery packs, or combinations of these systems. Regardless of configuration, all FLIRT variants use electric traction motors on the powered axles, with the PowerPack serving only as a source of electrical power. This modular design enables operation on non-electrified routes or in mixed electrified and non-electrified networks.
The train's traction system is highly redundant with up to four independent drive chains. Compartments between the driving cab and the passenger saloon contain the primary and auxiliary IGBT-based traction converters supplied by ABB, which control the induction traction motors located in the bogies directly beneath. This configuration is used in all FLIRT variants, whether or not a PowerPack is installed. On shorter configurations of two carriages, only one bogie may be powered. On longer configurations of five or six carriages, a third powered bogie may be added at the centre of the train. Each powered bogie typically provides a continuous output of and a short-term maximum of. Depending on configuration, length, and weight, FLIRT units achieve maximum speeds between, with acceleration rates ranging from.
FLIRT trainsets hold world records for the longest journeys completed using alternative propulsion. A battery-powered FLIRT set the record for the longest distance travelled in pure battery mode, covering in Germany. On 22 March 2024, a hydrogen-powered FLIRT set a record by travelling without refuelling or recharging at the Transportation Technology Center in the United States.
Operators
Algeria
On 18 March 2006, the Algerian national railway operator SNTF announced that it had ordered 64 four-car EMUs for operation on the Algiers suburban rail network. The trains were delivered between 2008 and 2010. They are designated by the SNTF as the Class 541, with series numbers 541-101 to 541-164.Azerbaijan
In November 2019, it was announced that Azərbaycan Dəmir Yolları had placed a €115 million order for ten Russian-gauge Stadler FLIRT units in various configurations, for delivery to begin in 2022.The order specification is as follows:
- Three EMUs for regional trains
- Three EMUs for inter-regional trains
- Four DŞ1-class DMUs for inter-regional trains
Because the Azerbaijan Railway is currently converting the electrification voltage of many lines on its network from 3 kV DC to 25 kV AC, the diesel fleet will be introduced first, allowing the service to be upheld during this conversion process.
In December 2023, the four DMUs were delivered to Azerbaijan Railways. The first EMUs followed in summer 2024.
Belarus
Ten Russian-gauge units were delivered to the Belarusian Railways in 2011. Six more were delivered from 2013 to 2014.The trains are mostly used on various suburban routes around Minsk, such as Minsk-Pasažyrski to Minsk National Airport. The Stadler FLIRT trains are also used as inter-regional transport in Belarus, on the routes Minsk–Homieĺ, and Minsk–Brest.
Two Stadler FLIRT units with an interior optimised for longer distance were delivered to Belarus in 2015 to 2016, and in January 2019, ten more of these trains were ordered for delivery in 2020.
Canada
The city of Ottawa put 7 Stadler FLIRTs into service on O-Train Line 2 in 2025 to increase capacity, replacing the Coradia LINTs, which have been moved to line 4.Line 2 is a combination of frequent rapid transit and suburban regional rail, serving both as the inner city's main north-south route and also railway to the Riverside South suburb. However, unlike most Stadler FLIRTs which are heavy rail regional trains, these versions of the Stadler FLIRT are smaller diesel-electric light rail vehicles that provide a light rail service to be consistent with the rest of Ottawa's O-Train light rail system.
Czech Republic
The Czech private operator LEO Express ordered five units. Units are modified as InterCity trains. All five units have operated on the Prague–Ostrava line since December 2012. Since December 2013 one unit is operated on the Prague–Staré Město u Uherského Hradiště and since December 2014 one unit is operated on the international route Prague–Košice. The maximum speed of these units is, but in service it is limited to.Denmark
On 9 October 2024, the local railway operator Lokaltog formally signed a contract for the supply of 14 two-car units of the battery–electric Akku model with an option for 10 more. They are scheduled to be delivered in 2028.Estonia
ordered 18 electric and 20 diesel broad-gauged trains. By June 2014 all 38 trains were delivered. This has been the first time FLIRT DMUs were produced. First five trains went into service on 1 July 2013 and by January 2014 all old trains were replaced by the new ones. On 16 April 2014 one of the new DMUs that had been operating for just five months had an accident near Raasiku, a collision with a truck. The unit was badly damaged. It went back into service in 2015, and two damaged carriages were replaced.In November 2014, Elron initiated an investigation into suspected flaws in some diesel trains. Two different build flaws were found in many of the trains and faulty components were replaced under warranty.
Finland
81 four-section broad-gauged FLIRT units, classified as Sm5 in the Finnish system, have been ordered by Pääkaupunkiseudun Junakalusto Oy for service on the Helsinki commuter rail network. The Sm5 units are leased by Pääkaupunkiseudun junakalusto to the Helsinki Regional Transport Authority, but they are currently operated by the VR Group. The initial order in 2006 was for 32 trainsets. 9 further units were ordered in 2011 and 34 further units in 2014.The first Sm5 unit arrived in Finland on 11 November 2008. Following preliminary testing the first unit was displayed to the public in Helsinki on 17 December 2008. During the remainder of on 2008 and for most of 2009 the Sm5 units were extensively tested in different parts of Finland. The first unit entered passenger service on 18 November 2009.
In November 2022, VR Group, the country's national rail operator, awarded Stadler Rail the contract to manufacture 20 new FLIRT 4 EMUs with an additional option for 50 trainsets, classified as Sm7, for longer-distance VR commuter rail services. These trains will be partly manufactured in Switzerland with final assembly taking place in Poland and Belarus, and they are expected to enter service in spring 2026.
Germany
The Cantus Verkehrsgesellschaft, a joint subsidiary of Hessische Landesbahn and Hamburger Hochbahn, became the first German FLIRT operator when they received their first train in 2006. Their fleet consists of fourteen three-car and six four-car units.Since December 2007 Abellio Rail NRW has operated nine three-car and eight two-car FLIRT trains for regional routes between Essen, Hagen, Iserlohn and Siegen. This was the first time that a FLIRT with only two sections was ordered.
Also since December 2007 WestfalenBahn uses fourteen three-car and five five-car trains for trains services in the Teutoburg Forest region.
In 2006 DB Regio, a subsidiary of Deutsche Bahn ordered five five-section vehicles for regional services on the German east coast. The trains were delivered in August 2007 and, until December 2019, were used on the routes Rostock–Stralsund–Lietzow–Sassnitz, Sassnitz–Stralsund and Binz–Lietzow. Since October 2020, they run the RB17.
The biggest order from Germany so far came in October 2006 from the leasing company Angel Trains Europa when they ordered 25 four-car FLIRT trains. All 25 units have been leased to Eurobahn who uses them on the Hellweg Network in North Rhine-Westphalia. Only a year later, in November 2007, Angel Trains ordered four more four-car and fourteen five-car trains that will also be used by Eurobahn. In 2017, Eurobahn also took over the WestfalenBahn operation of the Teutoburger-Wald-Network, taking over 18 FLIRT 1 units, as well as ordering eight new FLIRT 3 units.
On the InnoTrans 2008, a trade fair focused on rail transport, Vias announced their order for twelve four-section and seven three-section units. Starting in December 2010, the trains were put on the Frankfurt–Koblenz route. The same year, the Hessische Landesbahn started to operate three three- and five six-car FLIRT units on the Frankfurt – Gießen – Siegen line.
Starting in December 2013, the Bayerische Oberlandbahn, called Bayerische Regiobahn since 2020, uses three three-car and 28 six-car FLIRTs for their Meridian services, which run between Munich-Salzburg and Kufstein. Since August 2014, the ownership of the trains was transferred to AlphaTrains, only to be leased back for the Meridian.
From December 2014 on, the RE 1, RE 2, RE 4, RE 14, are operated with FLIRT 3 units, with the RE 1 being coupled with a CFL-operated KISS between Trier and Koblenz.
Go-Ahead Germany ordered 45 units in 2016 for delivery in 2019.
Transdev ordered 64 three-car units in November 2018, planned to enter service in 2021 on Hanover S-Bahn lines. In June 2019, Transdev subsidiary NordWestBahn awarded Stadler a €100m order to supply 16 FLIRT electric multiple-units for the Bremen/Niedersachsen S-Bahn services. The trains will enter service starting December 2022.
In July 2019, Schleswig-Holstein rail authority NAH.SH awarded Stadler a €600m order for 55 battery-powered FLIRT Akku multiple unit trains along with maintenance for 30 years. The trains, which offer of battery range, were originally scheduled to enter operations in 2022 to replace DMUs on non-electrified routes. Regular operations began in October 2023.