PHOTOS: A Look At Israel Railway’s Future Electric Train And Planned System Upgrade

(PHOTOS IN EXTENDED ARTICLE)

In preparation for Israel Railway’s network transformation, the railways will equip with 330 new Siemens DDEMU electric cars, the first of which scheduled to arrive in Israel in 2020.

Israel Railways is in a momentum of development and progressing to the next generation, in which it will transport more passengers, more stations, more lines and advanced technology.

Now, Israel Railways is introducing the design of the new Double Deck Electric Multiple Unit (DDEMU) trains, which are being manufactured by Siemens, the company that won in the tender, and will operate, inter alia, on the express line to Jerusalem, as well as the active lines that will be converted to accommodate the trains in coming years.

The electric cars will be added to the fleet of electric trains, which will also include the new electric locomotives and familiar double-decker cars. The tender includes the purchase of 330 cars, which contain 1,700 seats (and about double the standing), representing a 37% increase in Israel Railways’ fleet, which currently includes about 520 cars. The electric cars will come in sets of six and four, and can be connected between different sets, so that each train can accommodate between 4-14 cars with electric self-propulsion.

The electric carriages have a 6,436 horsepower (4,800 kW) in the quartet configuration and 8,046 horsepower (6,000 kW) in the six-pack configuration. In addition, advanced technology systems are integrated, which will enable upgraded service for passengers, alongside advanced safety.

Among other things, the cars will arrive with an automated passenger counting system using a camera, which enables a real-time picture of the number of passengers on the train; A smart passenger information system connected to the National Railways Command and to the GPS, showing the route of the train and the stations on the way; CCTV system; And a smart diagnostic system that monitors the maintenance status of the train online and enables the detection and repair of faults in real time.

According to Israel Railways’ plans, the first train cars are planned to arrive in Israel during 2020 and will operate, inter alia, on the express route to Jerusalem. The caravans that will be supplied will be maintained by the winning bidder at the electric garage currently being built in Ashkelon.

Along with the purchase of the electric carriages, Israel Railways equipped an electric mobile fleet with 62 electric locomotives from Bombardier’s TRAXX, the first to arrive in Israel and conduct trial runs on the express line to Jerusalem, as well as the conversion of about 300 existing double-decker cars.

The project to convert the train network to electric and the operation of electric trains, carries a price tag of NIS 13 billion, a mega project of Israel Railways, which has enormous transportation and national significance. The project, on an unprecedented scale in the Israel Railways, includes the laying of an electric infrastructure along the hundreds of kilometers of the railroad tracks, and Israel Railways has begun a strategic process of converting the railway network into a tram instead of the existing diesel trains. This is reflected in the operation of quiet and environmentally friendly trains, increasing the speed of the trains and shortening travel times, increasing the number of seats in each train, upgrading the acceleration and braking capacity, and significant savings in maintenance and energy.

The Israel Railways is preparing for one of the most significant changes it has made since its establishment – the conversion of the railway network to electricity and the operation of electric passenger trains, which will bring about a complete change in the railway system in Israel. This includes a significant improvement in the train journey experience. Railway officials are confident they will provide excellent service to more passengers on new and existing routes and will enable Israel Railways to continue to increase the number of its riders, to provide excellent service and to bring public transportation to a new era.