NS Sprinter Lighttrain

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NS Sprinter Lighttrain (SLT) - Class 2400 / 2600
A 4-car 2400 SLT in Utrecht
Second class interior
Manufacturer	Bombardier (2400) Siemens (2600)
Replaced	Mat '64, NS DD-AR
Constructed	2007–2012
Entered service	2009–present
Refurbished	Talbot (2018–2021)
Number under construction	69 (2400) 62 (2600)
Formation	4: mABk + mB + B + mABk (2400) mABk + mB + AB + B + mB + mABk (2600)
Fleet numbers	2401-2469, 2601-2662
Capacity	40 1st class, 176 2nd class (2400) 56 1st class, 266 2nd class (2600)
Operator(s)	NS Reizigers
Specifications
Train length	69.36 m (227 ft 6+3⁄4 in) (2400) 100.54 m (329 ft 10+1⁄4 in) (2600)
Width	2.84 m (9 ft 3+3⁄4 in)
Height	4.21 m (13 ft 9+3⁄4 in)
Floor height	1,055 mm (3 ft 5+1⁄2 in)
Entry	850 mm (2 ft 9+1⁄2 in)
Doors	12 (2400) 20 (2600)
Articulated sections	4 (2400) 6 (2600)
Wheel diameter	850 mm (2 ft 9+1⁄2 in)
Maximum speed	140 km/h (87 mph) (Service) 160 km/h (99 mph) (Design)
Weight	129 t (127 long tons; 142 short tons) (2400) 176 t (173 long tons; 194 short tons) (2600)
Axle load	18.5 t (18.2 long tons; 20.4 short tons)
Power output	1,260 kW (1,690 hp) (2400) 1,680 kW (2,253 hp) (2600)
Electric system(s)	1.5 kV DC Catenary
Current collection method	Pantograph
Safety system(s)	ATB-EG, ERTMS
Track gauge	1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in) standard gauge

The Sprinter Lighttrain or SLT is an Electric Multiple Unit (EMU) train type operated by the Nederlandse Spoorwegen in the Netherlands. They were built from 2007 to 2012 by Bombardier (2400) and Siemens (2600). It is the successor of the Sprinter SGM train type.

Names[]

• Sprinter Lighttrain
• Sprinter
• SLT
• S70 or S100

General information[]

2607 arriving at Amsterdam Amstel.

The SLT is designed to replace the Mat '64 trains from the 1960s and 1970s. The first 35 sets were ordered in 2005 and the first set, 2402 arrived in January 2008. The second set, 2602 arrived in February 2008 and both were used on test runs. In September 2007 NS ordered a further 64 sets, and these started arriving in the Netherlands in mid-2009. In 2009 a further 32 were ordered. The trains use regenerative braking, which can feed energy back into the contact wire when they brake.

The trains are based on the DB Class 425 design, but made to meet the demands of the Sprinter. They use Jacobs bogie, which allow for thin and wide gangways between each coach. The units were built in Aachen (2400) and Krefeld (2600).

Modernisation[]

From 2018 onwards, all units are being retrofitted with on-board toilets and a special sliding step for wheelchair users. The toilet retrofit is conducted at the Talbot Services GmbH workshops in Aachen; of which 2 units are in the workshops at any one time. The expectations are that these modernisations will be completed in 2021.

Use of Sprinter Lighttrains[]

The SLT is primarily for the Randstad area, around the four main cities (Amsterdam, Utrecht, The Hague and Rotterdam). They are used on stopping services, designed for routes where stations are close together and for this they feature many wide doors and fast acceleration.

After many test runs without passengers, they were put into service on 23 February 2009 between Den Haag Centraal - Gouda - Utrecht Centraal, two months later than planned. Passengers were happy with the comfort, no step between the train and the platform and the fresh interior, however the trains lack a toilet.

Problems occurred, especially when a four-car and a six-car unit coupled together, so the test was stopped temporarily on 1 May 2009. The test started again on 21 September 2009, outside of the peak hours. Again there were problems, and delivery of sets was stopped for the time being.

With the December 2009 timetable change, sets were put in again between Utrecht and Den Haag, as well as between Gouda and Rotterdam. In February 2010, the delivery of new sets was restarted, with four sets arriving each week. In May 2010 SLT sets also began operating between Rotterdam Centraal and Hoek van Holland Strand and on 24 May 2010 also between Utrecht Centraal and Baarn via Soest.

In December 2010 more than 2/3 of the SLT's failed after snowfall, leaving the NS to revert to the old trains that had recently been stored out of services.^[1][2]

Services operated[]

The SLT's are regularly used on these services in the current timetable (2017). They can sometimes appear on other services.

Accidents and incidents[]

2012 collision involving an NS Sprinter Lighttrain unit (left)

• On 28 November 2011, a Sprinter collided with a stationary Sprinter at Leiden Centraal. Three passengers were injured.^[3]
• On 21 April 2012, unit 2658 was one of the two trains involved in a head-on collision near Amsterdam Sloterdijk station.

Gallery[]

• 

  1st Class seating

• 

  2nd Class seating

• 

  2nd Class seating

• 

  Cab View

• 

  Display Screens on SLT

• 

  Balcony area of 2nd Class seats

• 

  SLT and original Sprinter together at Amersfoort

• 

  2401 in service at Schiedam Centrum

• 

  Two SLT multiple units at Baarn railway station

References[]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Sprinter Lighttrain.