Green Train from Bombardier creates record

On September 15, 2008, the Bombardier Green Train – Gröna Tåget – set a new Swedish speed record at 303 kmph between Töreboda and Skövde, in the southern part of Sweden.

Bombardier Green Train Gröna Tåget photo

The Green Train is a Bombardier REGINA train, which normally operates at a speed of 200 kmph.

This particular record-setting train is called the Green Train as it proved that the Gröna Tåget project can succesfully slash energy use by 30 per cent.

Bombardier Regina train

The Green Train record was set by train drivers from SJ AB, one of the partners in the Swedish rail sector development project, Green Train. The bogies of the train boast of passive self-steering and they aid in increased running stability, lower track forces and less wheel-rail wear on curved tracks. The Green Train is equipped with active lateral suspension for better passenger comfort and wider carbodies to enable more passenger seating if required.

According to Bombardier, the speed record has reinforced the company’s capabilities in the very high speed sector, in conjunction with the additional benefits to train performance delivered by the Bombardier Eco4 energy-saver technologies.

A company spokesperson said that there are two Eco4 products operating on the Green Train. Of the two, the Bombardier Mitrac Permanent Magnet Motor is a second generation permanent madnet (PM) motor for selected applications. Designed for improved overall vehicle optimization, increased energy efficiency and reduced volume and weight, the technology aims at enabling added efficiency, fewer environmental impacts, low operating costs and higher speeds.

Meanwhile, the Bombardier EBI Drive 50 Driver Assistance System is said to have the capability to save up to 15 per cent of traction energy by assisting the driver with information on speed and traction force.

The spokesperson said that the Green Train has been built with a view to operate under tough weather conditions in the Nordic countries. It has been remodelled, achieving improved performance in terms of running at higher speeds with heightened safety and low track impact, he added. Bombardier has part of the project since 2005.

For those of you who never heard of Bombardier before, it is a global corporation headquartered in Canada, and manufactures aircraft, trains, ATVs and has a major presence in financial services and solutions.