NMBS/SNCB
People can pass through the lower deck
in second class without disturbing those
in the first-class compartment
Sébastien Ridremont, Bombardier Transportation
There are four types of cars – the AB car
features 58 first-class and 74 second-class
seats. The other three types feature only
second class. The B cars have 140 seats, the
BDx cars have 100 and the Bmx cars have 52.
Class separation
For the mixed-class AB cars, the designers
have taken a different approach to the current
fleet, opting to reserve the whole of the upper
level for first class, and the whole of the lower
level for second class. “The current cars
are completely first or second class,” says
Ridremont. “The concept for the new cars is
that people can pass through the lower deck
in second class without disturbing those in the
first-class compartment.”
All the materials in the new cars were
selected for aesthetics and durability. “It’s
not a question of decoration,” says Enthoven.
“There’s a big difference between styling and
industrial design. You have to take strength
norms into account. We know which materials
are more resistant to wear and tear, and all our
designs respond to those needs. We translate
20 Railway Interiors International ANNUAL SHOWCASE 2019
beauty and design, but always give the security
that the materials that we have chosen are
perfectly adapted to what is needed.”
Ridremont adds that the cleanability and
wear of materials was very important to the
customer, and the team conducted wear tests
to ensure those needs were met. “The seat
pedestals are treated aluminium parts, and we
had to do salt testing to ensure that corrosion
will not happen during the component’s lifetime.
We have good experience with this; previously
delivered vehicles are still in very good shape.”
Access for all
The upgrade also incorporated accessibility
improvements to meet the latest TSI standards.
Both the AB and B cars have a compartment
with only folding seats and no tables, leaving
room for passengers travelling with heavier
luggage or prams. The BDx car has a door
that is accessible for people using wheelchairs,
along with other passengers, which leads into
a multifunctional, accessible space. The space
has folding chairs on either side and includes
a larger, accessible toilet.
TIPS FOR A LONG LIFE
Sébastien Ridremont of Bombardier
Transportation believes there are
things designers and operators can
do to ensure train interiors last a long
time. “Usually, for the interior there is
a big change at mid-life, between 15-20
years,” he says. “By then, the interiors
are quite worn and our customers like
to introduce completely new equipment.
But if you look at the M6 trains we
delivered starting in 2000, they’re
close to 20 years in service and still
in very good shape. It’s about the way
that they operate, the quality of the
components used, and the quality
of the maintenance.”
The consortium began building
M7 cars at the beginning of 2018, and
they have been undergoing endurance
tests. “They have already travelled
many kilometres in Belgium,” says
Ridremont. “They were put into normal
operations, but without passengers,
to test operations, even simulating
component failures. That was the
objective of the endurance tests, so
that when they start customer
operations in December 2019 there
will be fewer issues.”
ABOVE INSET: The BDx
car has a door that is
accessible for people
using wheelchairs
ABOVE RIGHT: Logos
and graphics will make
it easy for passengers
to find first class