Siemens S700 and S70

  • Siemens S70
  • Siemens S700
  • Siemens Avanto
Siemens S70 car for the Lynx Blue Line in Charlotte, North Carolina
ManufacturerSiemens Mobility
Constructed2002–present
Entered service2004–present
Predecessor
Specifications
Articulated sections
  • S70/S700: 3 (two articulations)
  • Avanto: 5 (four articulations)
Wheel diameter
  • 660 mm (26 in) (new)
  • 580 mm (23 in) (worn)[1]
Wheelbase
  • 1.9 m (6 ft 3 in) (power truck)
  • 1.8 m (5 ft 11 in) (center truck)[1]
Electric system(s)
Current collector(s)Pantograph
UIC classification
  • Bo′+2′+Bo′ (S70/S700)
  • Bo′+2′+2′+Bo′ (Avanto)
AAR wheel arrangementB-2-B (S70/S700)
Wheels driven8
Bogies
  • Siemens SF 70 (power truck)
  • Siemens SF 40 (center truck)[1]
Coupling systemDellner/Scharfenberg
Multiple workingWithin type
Track gauge4 ft 8+12 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge

The Siemens S70 and its successor, the Siemens S700, are a series of low-floor light-rail vehicles (LRV) and modern streetcars manufactured for the United States market by Siemens Mobility, a division of German conglomerate Siemens AG. The series also includes a European tram-train variant, the Siemens Avanto.

The S70 was manufactured from 2002 to 2017 and the improved S700 from 2014 to present, but the latter model designation was only introduced in 2019 and then retroactively applied to certain versions of the S70 built in earlier years.[2] In this market, it competes mainly with Alstom and Kinki Sharyo low-floor LRVs and streetcars manufactured by Brookville and Inekon.

The Avanto was built for the European market starting in 2006 and was principally sold to tram-train systems which, in whole or part, share their tracks with heavy rail trains. In Europe, the Siemens Combino and Avenio models are the preferred offerings for purely light rail or tramway systems. In the tram-train market, its principal competitors are Alstom's Flexity and Citadis, as well as CAF's Urbos series.

History

The design of the car ends of the S70 has been modified over time. The original end design, with a more pronounced slope, is shown at left and the later style at right.

The first order for S70 vehicles in the U.S. – where the three-section model was originally known as S70 Avanto but soon became known only as the S70 – was placed in 2001 for the METRORail system in Houston, Texas,[3][4] and the first car was received by Houston in April 2003.[5] This first series of S70 cars entered service on January 1, 2004, the opening day of Houston's light rail system.[6] At Siemens's U.S. manufacturing facilities (in Sacramento, California), only the model S700 remains in production, the last S70s having been built in 2017, for Minneapolis–Saint Paul's Metro Transit light rail system.[7]

The first purchase of the European version, a five-section tram-train design sold under the Avanto brand name, was a 15-car order placed in July 2002 by SNCF, for its line between Aulnay-sous-Bois and Bondy,[3][8] which is now known as Île-de-France tramway Line 4.

S700 redesign and model number change

The model number S700 was adopted by Siemens Mobility in 2019 as a rebranding of a version of the S70 that had been in production since 2014.[9][2] Versions later branded as the S700 used an adapted form of Siemens' model SF 40 center truck, first used in its SD660 model (first built in 1996 for Portland, Oregon's MAX Light Rail system) to the S70. This truck allowed longitudinal (sideways-facing) seating to be used in the center section, in place of the transverse seating used in the S70. The design change provided better passenger comfort and movement.[2] The first LRVs built to the newer design were the "Type 5" cars for the MAX Light Rail system, in 2014. Initially Siemens continued to sell LRVs with either center-section configuration and used the designation S70 for both.[9] In 2019, the company began using the designation S700 for new orders, and in 2020 it retroactively applied the S700 designation to all LRVs and streetcars that had been built to the newer design since its creation in 2013 or 2014.[2]

Size and configuration

The S70, S700, and Avanto have a modular design and can be built in a number of different sizes and configurations, including both light-rail vehicle (LRV) and streetcar versions.

The standard version of the S70 and S700 LRV is 95.4 feet (29.1 m) long, although the earliest S70 units delivered had a different, longer cab design that extended the length to 96 feet (29.3 m). The streetcar version of the S700 is 85.25 feet (25.98 m) long, about 10 feet (3.0 m) shorter than the standard LRV.[10] Siemens also offers a US ("Ultra Short") variant of the LRV at 81.4 feet (24.8 m), about 14 feet (4.3 m) shorter than the standard version.[10] The San Diego Trolley and the Salt Lake City TRAX systems have purchased the US variants. The Avantos built for France have a length of 36.68 m (120 ft 4 in).[11][12]

Unlike the S70, the S700 has longitudinal seating in the center section, with a wider aisle.

The major change between the S70 and the S700 is the seating in the center section of the vehicle. The S700 has longitudinal seating in this section with passengers facing the aisle, while the S70 had more traditional seating with passengers sitting four-across, facing forward or back, with an aisle in between. This 2013 change, which was made to eliminate a seating layout that had been criticized as cramped[13] and ease the movement of passengers within that section,[14] was the primary design change that led Siemens eventually to adopt (in 2019) the new model number for the modified S70 design.[2] The S700 also has some technology upgrades.

Most vehicles are double-ended, with operating controls at both ends and doors on both sides. An exception are 40 cars in service on TriMet's MAX system, which are single-ended and have cabs at only one end of each car. However, in service they always operate in pairs, coupled back-to-back, so that each consist has operating cabs at both ends.[15] TriMet reverted to a double-ended design for its latest order of S700s (placed in 2019).[9]

The S70, S700 and Avanto can be configured to operate on various overhead power supply systems. For example, the Avantos ordered for France are dual voltage, capable of operating on 750 V DC when running on tram or light rail tracks and on 25 kV 50 Hz AC when running on main line tracks.[11] Systems in the Americas use a variety of systems including 600 V DC, 750 V DC and 1,500 V DC.

The S70 and S700 can also be equipped to interface with older Siemens light rail vehicles. The San Diego Trolley's S70 and S700 vehicles frequently operate with high-floor SD-100 vehicles.

Usage and current orders

United States

Streetcar version of the S70 on the Atlanta Streetcar
  • Atlanta, Georgia (Atlanta Streetcar): 4 S70 Streetcar units, ordered in 2011.[16] In May 2011, Siemens announced that it had won the $17.2 million contract to build the four streetcars that run on the Atlanta Streetcar. The vehicles were built at Siemens' plant in Florin, California, but with major components, including the propulsion system, assembled at Siemens' plant in Alpharetta, Georgia.[17] The first of the streetcars was delivered on February 17, 2014,[18] and began passenger service on December 30, 2014.[19][20]
  • Charlotte, North Carolina
    • Lynx Blue Line: 42 S70 units purchased and now operating.[21] First 16 cars, purchased for $50 million, have been in service since the opening of the Charlotte light rail system in November 2007.[22] Four additional units purchased in 2008 to keep up with higher-than-expected ridership[23] were received in early 2010.[24] In 2012, after 4 years of operation, the original 16 cars had to be repaired at the Siemens facility in California for an estimated cost of $400,000 each.[22] A third order, for 22 LRVs, was delivered in stages between fall 2014 and spring 2017, and CATS now operates 42 S70 vehicles.
    • CityLynx Gold Line: Six S700[e] streetcar units were ordered in 2016, and were delivered in 2019–2020.[21] These six cars were specified to have internal batteries to allow off-wire operations in some areas.[25] The S700 streetcars are a compact version of the S70 light rail vehicles[26] that currently operate on the LYNX Blue Line. The cost to purchase these six vehicles and spare parts is $40.4 million.[27]
  • Houston, Texas (METRORail): 18 S70 units purchased, the first of which was delivered in April 2003;[5] delivery was completed in late 2004. Nineteen additional units were purchased later, procured using Utah Transit Authority (Salt Lake City) options, delivered starting in late 2012. The original cars are the long variant; the 2012–13 cars are the US ("Ultra Short") variant.[28] 14 more S700[e] units were ordered in early 2019.[30]
S70 used by Metro in Minneapolis-Saint Paul, equipped with integrated snowplow due to harsh winter conditions[31]
  • Minneapolis–Saint Paul, Minnesota (Metro): 64 S70 units purchased. Delivery of initial order of 59 began in 2012, with the first unit entering service in February 2013.[32] In October 2015, an option was exercised for five additional vehicles at a cost of $20 million,[33] and these were received in fall 2017.[34][35] In October 2016, an order was placed for 27 more S70s,[36] to a modified design that has since been rebranded S700 by Siemens.[2][29] Delivery began in May 2020.[37]
  • Norfolk, Virginia (Tide Light Rail): 9 S70 cars, ordered in 2007. First cars delivered October 2009.[38] Entered service with the opening of the Norfolk system, in 2011.
  • Phoenix, Arizona (Valley Metro Rail): 11 S700[e] vehicles ordered, in June 2017, with options for up to 67 more.[39] Fourteen options exercised in October 2020.[40] Began to enter service January 2022.[41]
  • Portland, Oregon (MAX Light Rail): 22 S70 and 18 S700[e] units purchased and now in operation. Order for initial 21 S70 cars announced on May 11, 2006;[42] later expanded by one car. Entered service starting in August 2009.[43] Order placed 2012 for another 18 cars;[13][44] delivered in 2014–2015 and subsequently rebranded as S700 by Siemens.[e] An order for 26 S700 units was placed in July 2019,[45] with delivery scheduled to run from mid-2021 to fall 2022.[9] Unlike Portland's previous S70 and S700 LRVs, these will be double-ended.[9]
  • Sacramento, California (Sacramento RT Light Rail): 20 S700 units ordered in 2020 for the Sacramento RT Light Rail system, with options for a total of 76 cars. Shortly after the initial 20-unit order, Sacramento was awarded by the California State Transportation Agency another $23.6 million dollars to purchase an additional 8 units, thus bringing the total number of S700 units on order for delivery beginning in 2022 to 28.[46][47] Sixteen additional units were purchased in 2023, bringing the total number of S700 units to 44.
  • Salt Lake City, Utah
    • TRAX: 77 S70 US ("Ultra Short") units ordered; in service since August 7, 2011.[12][23]
    • S Line: S70 US units
  • San Diego, California (San Diego Trolley): 11 S70 (92-foot (28.04 m)) units purchased in first order in October 2004, with delivery complete in July 2005. A second order, for 57 S70 US ("Ultra Short" 81-foot (24.69 m)) cars, was placed in October 2009;[48] the order was later increased to a total of 65 S70 US units in 2012.[49] 45 additional cars, now of the rebranded model S700 US,[50] entered service in April 2019[51] and the last cars in the order were received in October 2020.[52] Meanwhile, an additional 25 S700s were ordered in mid-2019.[53]
  • Santa Ana, California (OC Streetcar): 8 S700[e] streetcar units ordered in March 2018 for the under construction OC Streetcar light rail line.[54]
  • Seattle, Washington (Link light rail): 152 S700[e] units on order.[55] Of these, an order for 122 was placed in September 2016[56] and delivery began in 2019.[57] This $554 million contract was the largest contract in Sound Transit's history. The order was expanded by 30 cars in spring 2017.[55] The LRVs will be used for expansion of the Central Link system. Entered service in May of 2021.[58]

France

An Avanto tram-train on Île-de-France tramway Line 4

The S70 model used in France is known as the Avanto and locally designated as the U 25500. Unlike the S70 models in the USA, the Avanto has 5 sections instead of 3.

Cancelled orders

  • An order for 22 S70 cars, placed in 2006 by Ottawa, Ontario for a planned expansion of its O-Train system, was later cancelled. Political problems had resulted in cancellation of the entire expansion project, which in turn led to lawsuits by Siemens and other contractors against the City of Ottawa.[61]

See also

Other Siemens light rail vehicles for the American market:

  • Siemens–Duewag U2 – high-floor LRV for either level boarding at high-platform stations or steps for passenger loading at street level
  • SD-100 and SD-160 – high-floor LRV for either level boarding at high-platform stations or steps for passenger loading at street level
  • SD-400 and SD-460 – high-floor LRV for both level boarding at high-platform stations and with steps for passenger loading at street level
  • SD660 – low-floor LRV for passenger loading at street level, custom built for Portland, Oregon
  • P2000 – high-floor LRV for level boarding at high-platform stations, custom built for Los Angeles
  • S200 – high-floor LRV for level boarding at high-platform stations (with movable steps for passenger loading at street level in San Francisco)

Notes

  1. ^ Houston METRORail (dual voltage with 750 V), San Diego Trolley
  2. ^ Most systems
  3. ^ Seattle Link light rail
  4. ^ Selected sections in Paris and Mulhouse, France
  5. ^ a b c d e f g The cars in this order were considered to be model S70 at the time the order was placed, but in 2020 were retroactively rebranded as model S700 by Siemens.[2][29]

References

  1. ^ a b c "First Class Bogies" (PDF). Siemens. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2019-07-22.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g "Siemens rebadges North American low-floor cars". Tramways & Urban Transit. No. 993. UK: Mainspring Enterprises Ltd. September 2020. p. 336. ISSN 1460-8324.
  3. ^ a b Webb, Mary, ed. (2004). Jane's Urban Transport Systems 2004–2005. Coulsdon, Surrey, UK: Jane's Information Group. pp. 499, 502. ISBN 978-0-7106-2641-7.
  4. ^ "Houston ground breaks, and orders from Siemens". Tramways & Urban Transit. UK: Ian Allan Publishing. May 2001. p. 187. ISSN 1460-8324.
  5. ^ a b "Systems News [regular news section]". Tramways & Urban Transit. UK: Ian Allan Publishing. June 2003. p. 225. ISSN 1460-8324.
  6. ^ Wansbeek, C.J. (April 2007). "'Starter line' beats all expectations". Tramways & Urban Transit. UK: Ian Allan Publishing/Light Rail Transit Association. pp. 132–135. ISSN 1460-8324.
  7. ^ "Worldwide Review [regular news section]". Tramways & Urban Transit. No. 997. UK: Mainspring Enterprises Ltd. January 2021. p. 37. ISSN 1460-8324.
  8. ^ Wansbeek, C.J. (January 2003). "Avanto: French 'tram-train' breakthrough". Tramways & Urban Transit. UK: Ian Allan Publishing. pp. 10–13. ISSN 1460-8324.
  9. ^ a b c d e "Worldwide Review [regular news section, under 'Portland, OR']". Tramways & Urban Transit. No. 982. UK: Mainspring Enterprises Ltd. October 2019. p. 394. ISSN 1460-8324.
  10. ^ a b "Siemens low-floor LRV literature" (PDF). Siemens Mobility. Retrieved April 8, 2021.
  11. ^ a b c Haydock, David (April 2011). "France's first real tram train". Today's Railways Europe. Platform 5 Publishing Ltd. pp. 37–40.
  12. ^ a b "Siemens Breaks Its Own Record for Largest Light Rail Vehicle Order: Salt Lake City Orders 77 S70 LRVs Valued at Over $277M" (Press release). Siemens. 2008-05-15. Archived from the original on February 24, 2012. Retrieved 2010-03-17.
  13. ^ a b Rose, Joseph (July 31, 2012). "TriMet asks cramped MAX riders to help design next-generation train's seating". The Oregonian. Archived from the original on December 16, 2019. Retrieved 2020-11-13.
  14. ^ Burroughs, David (April 19, 2019). "San Diego unveils new-generation Siemens LRVs". International Railway Journal. ISSN 0744-5326. Retrieved 2020-11-13.
  15. ^ Morgan, Steve. "Expansion for Portland's MAX: New routes and equipment", pp. 38-40. Passenger Train Journal, "2010:1" issue (1st quarter, 2010). White River Productions.
  16. ^ Atlanta orders Siemens Avanto [sic] streetcars Railway Gazette International. May 20, 2011. Retrieved 2011-05-20.
  17. ^ Wheatley, Thomas (May 22, 2011). "Downtown streetcar to be built by Siemens". Creative Loafing Atlanta. Retrieved 2017-07-16.
  18. ^ Wheatley, Thomas (February 17, 2014). "Mysterious streetcar-like object spotted in Downtown". Creative Loafing Atlanta. Retrieved 2014-02-17.
  19. ^ Kimberly Turner (December 30, 2014). "It's Official: Atlanta Has a Streetcar! Photos From the First Day". Curbed Atlanta. Retrieved 2014-12-30.
  20. ^ "Siemens S70 Data Sheet - Atlanta" (PDF). 2014. Archived from the original (PDF) on May 24, 2015. Retrieved 2021-09-27.
  21. ^ a b "Worldwide Review [regular news section]". Tramways & Urban Transit. No. 995. UK: Mainspring Enterprises Ltd. November 2020. p. 441. ISSN 1460-8324.
  22. ^ a b "Repairs for LYNX trains to cost $6.5M". WSOC-TV. January 6, 2012. Archived from the original on 2020-08-18. Retrieved 2020-11-15.
  23. ^ a b "Siemens announces biggest US light rail order". Railway Gazette International. 2008-05-15. Archived from the original on 2011-06-16. Retrieved 2008-05-16.
  24. ^ Leier, Jean (January 20, 2010). "Light rail vehicle makes a stop in Atlanta". Charlotte Area Transit System. Archived from the original on 2010-08-26. Retrieved 2020-11-15.
  25. ^ Vantuono, William C. (November 29, 2016). "Siemens finalizes S70 streetcar deal with Charlotte". Railway Age. ISSN 0033-8826. Archived from the original on 2016-12-01. Retrieved 2020-11-13.
  26. ^ "Siemens S70 Rendering". Retrieved February 1, 2017.
  27. ^ "Construction and vehicle contracts awarded for CityLYNX Gold Line Phase 2 project". Charlotte Area Transit. November 28, 2016. Retrieved February 1, 2017.
  28. ^ "Siemens S70 Data Sheet - Houston" (PDF). Retrieved February 1, 2017.
  29. ^ a b "Worldwide Review [regular news section]". Tramways & Urban Transit. No. 994. UK: Mainspring Enterprises Ltd. October 2020. p. 402. ISSN 1460-8324.
  30. ^ "Houston METRO orders more Siemens light-rail vehicles". Progressive Railroading. February 6, 2019. Retrieved February 9, 2019.
  31. ^ "Rider's Almanac Blog". www.metrotransit.org. Retrieved 2021-04-08.
  32. ^ "New light rail vehicles begin service". Rider's Almanac. Metro Transit. February 20, 2013. Retrieved 7 March 2015.
  33. ^ "Siemens wins new contracts for light-rail lines". Train's News Wire. October 2015. Retrieved 13 October 2015.
  34. ^ "Minutes of the regular meeting of the Transportation Committee". Minneapolis–St. Paul: Metropolitan Council. January 8, 2018. p. 2. Archived from the original on 2020-11-16. Retrieved 2020-11-16.
  35. ^ "Minutes of the regular meeting of the Transportation Committee". Minneapolis–St. Paul: Metropolitan Council. October 9, 2017. p. 2. Archived from the original on 2020-11-16. Retrieved 2020-11-16.
  36. ^ "Twin Cities' Metropolitan Council Chooses Siemens to Provide New Light Rail Vehicles". Mass Transit. October 28, 2016. Retrieved 2020-11-14.
  37. ^ McKinney, Kevin (2020). "Rush Hour [transit news section]". Passenger Train Journal. Vol. 44, no. 3 – Third quarter 2020. White River Productions, Inc. p. 52. ISSN 0160-6913.
  38. ^ Messina, Debbie (October 7, 2009). "Light-rail cars arrive in Norfolk". The Virginian-Pilot. Retrieved 2009-11-08.
  39. ^ "Siemens to build eleven light rail vehicles for Phoenix". Siemens. June 14, 2017. Archived from the original on 2020-11-14. Retrieved 2020-11-13.
  40. ^ Clark, Douglas (October 6, 2020). "Valley Metro Regional Public Transportation Authority to expand light rail fleet in Phoenix, Arizona". Transportation Today. Archived from the original on 2020-10-14. Retrieved 2020-10-07.
  41. ^ "New Siemens trains now in service". Valley Metro. January 10, 2022. Retrieved 2022-08-10.
  42. ^ "Siemens Lands $75M Portland Rail Contract". Business Wire via Mass Transit magazine. May 12, 2006. Retrieved 2009-11-08.
  43. ^ Redden, Jim (August 6, 2009). "TriMet puts new light-rail cars on track". Portland Tribune. Archived from the original on August 31, 2009. Retrieved October 5, 2015.
  44. ^ "Siemens S70 Data Sheet - Portland" (PDF). 2014. Archived from the original (PDF) on June 2, 2015. Retrieved 2021-09-27.
  45. ^ "Siemens to supply S700 light rail vehicles to Portland". Railway Gazette International. July 31, 2019. ISSN 0373-5346. Retrieved 2020-11-13.
  46. ^ "SacRT Purchases New Low-Floor Light Rail Vehicles". Sacramento Regional Transit District. April 22, 2020. Archived from the original on April 26, 2020. Retrieved 2020-11-13.
  47. ^ "SacRT trains to get low-profile upgrade: Sacramento-built light rail vehicles part of system-wide modernization". News & Review. Chico, California. 6 July 2020. Archived from the original on 2020-08-13. Retrieved 2020-08-22.
  48. ^ "Siemens wins San Diego light rail contract". Metro Magazine. October 7, 2009. Archived from the original on March 4, 2021. Retrieved 2021-09-27.
  49. ^ "San Diego Trolley Renewal Project Fact Sheet" (PDF). San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG) & San Diego Metropolitan Transit System (MTS). July 2013. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2014-02-10. Retrieved 2020-11-13.
  50. ^ "San Diego MTS unveils 5000-series Siemens Trolley cars". Metro Magazine. April 19, 2019. Archived from the original on February 27, 2021.
  51. ^ N Ford Transit System Films - YouTube (2019-04-20). "MTS Trolley - 5000 Series Siemens S70 First Day in Service on the Blue Line". Archived from the original on 2021-12-21.
  52. ^ "San Diego Takes Delivery of Final LRV Needed For Extension". Passenger Train Journal. October 7, 2020. Archived from the original on 2020-10-10. Retrieved 2020-11-15.
  53. ^ "San Diego selects Siemens S700 light rail vehicles". Railway Gazette International. August 1, 2019. Retrieved 2021-02-04.
  54. ^ Vantuono, William C. (March 28, 2018). "Siemens selected for OC Streetcar". Railway Age. Archived from the original on 2020-11-06. Retrieved 2020-11-13.
  55. ^ a b "Sound Transit to order 30 additional light rail vehicles" (Press release). Sound Transit. April 27, 2017. Retrieved 2017-07-16.
  56. ^ "Siemens to build 122 S70 light rail vehicles for Sound Transit's expanding system". Siemens. September 29, 2016. Archived from the original on October 30, 2016. Retrieved 2021-09-27.
  57. ^ Guevara, Natalie (June 19, 2019). "Wider center, digital signs: Improvements abound in new Sound Transit light rail cars". seattlepi.com. Hearst. Retrieved August 28, 2019.
  58. ^ "First new Link light rail vehicles enter passenger service". Sound Transit. May 14, 2021. Retrieved 2021-05-14.
  59. ^ Tramways & Urban Transit, February 2007, p. 64. Light Rail Transit Association (UK).
  60. ^ a b "Siemens tram-train arrives in Mulhouse". Tramways & Urban Transit, January 2010, p. 27. Light Rail Transit Association (UK).
  61. ^ Jake, Rupert (September 19, 2007). "City slapped with another light-rail lawsuit". Ottawa Citizen. Retrieved 2009-11-08.

External links

  • Siemens USA Light rail vehicles and streetcars (official webpage)
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