NSB BM73
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The NSB BM73 is a four car electric multiple unit which are operated by Norges Statsbaner on long-haul and regional journeys. It is similar to the three-car BM71 EMUs operated by Flytoget. Formerly, these trains were branded as "Signatur" by the railway company and intended to run as high speed trains.
The BM73s were built between 1997 and 1998 by ADtranz and the first of the 16 A-series long-distance trains were put into service on Sørlandsbanen. The trains now run several of the express trains on Bergensbanen, Dovrebanen and Sørlandsbanen. Trains consist of either one or two 4-car units.
Unfortunately the trains were plagued with troubles early in their service, the most serious being weak axles. On June 10, 2000 and axle broke on a train at Nelaug, causing that train to derail, fortunately the train was moving slowly so there were no serious injuries, but the trains needed adjustments.
Another derailment occurred on February 21, 2007 on Bergensbanen between the stations of Myrdal and Hallingskeid when a train consisting of two BM73 sets ran into an avalanche covering the line and derailed, and two of the carriages tipped down the embankment. Although the driver succeeded in slowing the train down enough to prevent a catastrophe (none of the passengers were seriously injured), the accident brought scrutiny to the train's ability to handle snowy conditions.[1] The trains are fairly lightweight, and are not equipped with a snowplough at the front. The trainsets had previous incidents where they got stuck in snow and were criticized by Jernbaneverket who were concerned over the BM73's ability to handle such conditions.[2]
The B-series consists of another six BM73 trains which entered service in 2002. These trains feature a higher passenger density, with seats replacing some of the amenities such as the playroom for children. They are used for trains on the shorter Østfoldbanen.
[edit] Specifications
- Length: The forward and rear cars are 27.9 m long, the two middle cars are 26.32 m long.
- Weight: The forward and rear cars weigh 52 t, the two middle cars weigh 54 t.
- Capacity:
- A-series: 204 seats (54-36-78-32)
- B-series: 243 seats (50-74-78-44)
- Car designations: BM73-BFR73-BMU73-BFM73 (+B)
- Max speed: 210 km/h
[edit] References
- ^ Tåler ikke snøfonner Cannot handle snowdrifts, Bergens Tidende, February 22, 2007 (in Norwegian)
- ^ Snø stanser Signatur-togene Snow stops the Signatur trains] NRK, March 20, 2006, in Norwegian
