WORK has started to build three
hydrogen-electric multiple-units (HEMUs) that will be deployed in southern
Germany.
The two-car Mireo Plus H trains were
ordered by the state of Bavaria from Siemens in 2023 and have been leased to
German Rail (DB) subsidiary Southeast Bavarian Railway (SOB) by Deutsche
Anlagen-Leasing (DAL) with finance provided by BayernLB. The values of the
construction contract and leasing deal have not been disclosed.
They will be deployed on the Mühldorf Star
network of 11 routes radiating from the German town and specifically on the
32.3km non-electrified RB42 route from Mühldorf in Upper Bavaria to Burghausen
via Tüßling. The trains are due to enter service towards the end of next year.
SOB was awarded the operating contract for
the Mühldorf Star network by public transport authority Bavarian Railway (BEG)
in September 2023. The contract, which covers up to 8.2 million train-km each
year, is expected to end in December 2035, though it can be extended for a
further three years to December 2038.
DB will build an electrolysis plant in
Mühldorf to produce hydrogen using only renewable electricity. Siemens will
maintain the hydrogen supply system for the new fleet under a separate
contract.
