Alstom Coradia facts for kids

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Quick facts for kids Alstom Coradia
A Coradia Polyvalent train built by Alstom.
Manufacturer	Alstom
Specifications
Prime mover(s)	4 6 MAN D2676LE62X
Track gauge	1,435 mm (4 ft 8 ¹⁄₂ in) standard gauge

The Alstom Coradia is a group of trains made by a company called Alstom. These trains can run on either diesel fuel or electricity. They are used for journeys between cities (intercity) and for shorter trips around a region (regional service). You can find Coradia trains operating in Europe, North America, and Africa.

What Makes Coradia Trains Special?

The Coradia trains are designed to be very good at what they do. Alstom makes them in many different ways to fit what train companies need.

Types of Coradia Trains

Coradia trains come in a few main types:

Diesel Multiple Units (DMU): These trains run on diesel fuel.
Electric Multiple Units (EMU): These trains run on electricity.
Coradia Duplex: This is a special double-decker (two-story) version for more passengers.

The trains use Alstom's own special power system, called Onix IGBT. This system helps the trains speed up smoothly and saves energy. Many Coradia trains also have a regenerative braking system. This means when the train slows down, it turns the energy from braking back into electricity. This electricity can then be used again, which saves even more energy!

Coradia trains can also have different communication and safety systems. These include national automatic train protection (ATP) and European Train Control System (ETCS). These systems help keep the trains safe and on track.

Comfort for Passengers

Alstom designed the Coradia trains to be very comfortable for people riding them. The inside of the train is modular. This means it's easy to change how the seats and other parts are arranged.

Inside, you'll find nice lighting, places for luggage, and walls that separate seating areas from the entrances. Each seat can have power outlets, its own light, and systems for music or videos. Train companies can even choose how far apart the seats are and how they are set up.

It's easy to move or change the inside parts because they fit into special slots. Train companies can add things like vending machines for snacks, ticket machines on the train, and even internet access. There are also special features for passengers with disabilities to make sure everyone can travel easily.

Different Coradia Models

The Coradia family includes several regional train models:

Coradia Duplex: This is the double-decker electric train. It can have two to seven carriages. Up to four of these trains can be linked together to make a very long train with 12 carriages! One version is used in France and Luxembourg, and another is used in Sweden.
Coradia Lint: This is a light, diesel-powered train. It's similar to other popular regional trains. It can have one, two, or three carriages, and up to three of these can be linked together. The engine is underneath the train, which makes more space inside for passengers. This train is used in Germany, the Netherlands, and Denmark.
Coradia Continental: This is an electric train that can have three, four, five, or six carriages. Up to four of these trains can be linked together during busy times. Its power system is on the roof, which also creates more space inside. It's used in Germany and other parts of Europe.
Coradia Polyvalent: This is one of the newest Coradia trains. It can go up to 160 kilometers per hour (about 100 miles per hour). It can run on electricity or use both electricity and diesel. There's even a version that can cross borders and work on different rail networks, like in Germany and Switzerland. The floor inside is low, which makes it easy for people to get on and off.
Coradia Nordic: This train is wider than others. It was made for the larger tracks common in Northern Europe. It can have four, five, or six electric carriages. It's built to work in very cold weather, even as low as -35 degrees Celsius (-31 degrees Fahrenheit)! Like the Continental, its power equipment is on the roof to make more room for passengers.
Coradia Meridian: This model was made especially for train companies in Italy, like Trenitalia.

Who Uses Coradia Trains?

Many train companies around the world use Alstom Coradia trains.

Europe

Denmark

Alstom Coradia LINT diesel trains are used for local journeys. In 2021, Denmark ordered 100 Coradia Stream electric trains, with plans to buy more. These trains will start being delivered in mid-2025.

Finland

The VR Class Sm4 Coradia train is used for regional trips from Helsinki to Tampere and Kouvola.

France

In 2009, the French national railway company SNCF ordered 100 Coradia Polyvalent trains. They ordered more in 2010. In 2014, a new version called Régiolis was introduced. Many French regions have ordered these trains. In 2021, SNCF also ordered 14 hydrogen-powered Coradia trains.

Germany

The Coradia Continental is used by several companies in Germany. It started running in 2002. Some of the companies using it include agilis, DB Regio, Metronom, and Hessische Landesbahn (HLB). In Nuremberg, Coradia Continental trains are used on the S1 and S5 lines.

The Alstom Coradia LINT is also popular in Germany. It's known there as DB class 640 and DB class 648. Many companies have ordered these trains, including AKN Eisenbahn and Transdev.

Italy

In 2012, Ferrovie Nord Milano (FNM) ordered ten more Coradia Meridian regional trains. Ferrovie dello Stato also ordered 70 Coradia Meridians. These trains are used by Trenord for regional express services and for the Malpensa Express service to the airport.

The Netherlands

The Alstom Coradia LINT trains were used by Arriva and Keolis for regional transport. The Nederlandse Spoorwegen (Dutch Railways) started using their new NS Intercity Nieuwe Generatie trains, which are based on the Coradia Stream, in April 2023. These new trains will replace older ones and will also be used for trips between Amsterdam and Brussels.

Norway

In January 2022, Norske tog signed a deal to buy 30 new Coradia Nordic trains from Alstom. They might buy up to 170 more! These trains will have six carriages and will be called "Class 77". The first trains are expected to arrive in Norway for testing in 2024 and start running in 2025.

Romania

In March 2022, Romania ordered 20 Coradia Stream trains, with an option for 17 more. These trains are 160 meters long and can carry 352 passengers. They are equipped with modern safety systems.

Sweden

The Coradia Nordic is used for commuter services in and around Stockholm by Storstockholms Lokaltrafik (called X60). Many more Coradia Nordic trains have been ordered by other Swedish operators, like Skånetrafiken.

A version of the Coradia Duplex, called the SJ X40, is used by SJ AB. It was meant for regional trips around Mälaren, but it's also used for longer journeys between Stockholm and Gothenburg.

Name	Started Use	Number Built	Carriages	Power Type	Notes
X3	1999	7	4	Electric	Used for the Arlanda Express between Stockholm Central Station and Stockholm Arlanda Airport.
X40	2006-2008	43	2 or 3
X60, X60A, X60B	X60: 2005-2008, X60A: 2012, X60B: 2016-present	83	6		Used for daily commuter services.
X61	2009-onward	134	4		Used for commuter and regional services.
X62	2012	11	4		Used in the Norrtåg regional services in northern Sweden. They can go up to 180 km/h and have a small cafe.

United Kingdom

Coradia 1000

The first Coradia trains in Britain started running in 2001. There are two main types:

Class 175: These are diesel trains (27 units) used in Wales.
Class 180 Adelante: These are high-speed diesel trains (14 units) that can go up to 125 miles per hour. They are used by Grand Central.

Coradia Juniper

The electric Alstom Coradia Juniper family includes:

Class 334: Used for Glasgow commuter services (40 units).
Class 458: Used on routes from London Waterloo (30 units).
Class 460: These were originally used for Gatwick Express airport services but were later changed and added to the Class 458 fleet.

Class	Operator	Started Use	Number Built	Carriages	End Walkways	Power	Notes
175	Transport for Wales	1999–2001	27	2 or 3	No	Diesel	The two end cars are called A and C, even if there isn't a B car in the middle.
180	Grand Central, East Midlands Railway	2000–2001	14	4 or 5		Diesel
334	Abellio ScotRail	1999–2002	40	3		Electric
458	South Western Railway	1998–2002	30	5	Yes	Electric
460	Gatwick Express	1999–2001	8	8	No	Electric	These trains were taken out of service in 2012 and changed into Class 458/5 trains.

North America

Canada

In 2015, the Alstom Coradia LINT trains started running in North America. OC Transpo in Ottawa, Canada, uses six of these trains for their O-Train Trillium line.

United States

Metra is buying 200 double-decker Coradia passenger cars and might buy 300 more. Virginia Railway Express is also buying 21 double-decker cars.

Africa

Algeria

Coradia trains were introduced in Algeria in 2018. The SNTF company bought 17 trains for long trips between cities like Algiers and Oran, and Algiers and Batna. They call this project "Coradia ELDJAZAÏR".

Senegal

Alstom started delivering 15 Coradia Polyvalent trains to Senegal in late 2018. These trains are used for the Train Express Regional between Dakar and the Blaise Diagne International Airport.

Train Incidents

On July 12, 2016, an Alstom Coradia train was in a serious accident in Italy.
On October 16, 2020, a new Dutch ICNG train (based on Coradia Stream) went off the tracks in Germany while being moved.