NMBS/SNCB
It should not be a complete
break of vision; we wanted
an evolution, not a revolution
Sébastien Ridremont, Bombardier Transportation
BELOW INSET: The BDx
car includes a larger,
accessible toilet
BELOW: The cars feature
200 litres of underseat
storage space
22 Railway Interiors International ANNUAL SHOWCASE 2019
option to install the Ethernet IP network in the
old cars, as well as the screens.”
Vox populi
The M7 design was tested with consumers
using a full-size mock-up before contract
signing. “The client did a test with more than
100 people, including travellers, maintenance
specialists and onboard staff,” says Enthoven.
“They thoroughly researched and tested
the quality of the seats, the interiors, how
participants reacted to the colour scheme,
as well as accessibility and maintenance.”
“There was one group of employees, one of
the usual passengers, and one group who don’t
go on trains often,” says Ridremont. “Out of
that, we looked at improvements to the design,
to fit the final customer expectations.”
The new trains introduce a technology
upgrade including high-visibility TFT screens
in all compartments and platforms. The screens
will provide route information and can also
be used for messaging including advertising.
A new information system works over an
Ethernet IP network and will manage the
messaging on TFT screens, as well as the
sound system, video surveillance, ground
communication, reservation system and
maintenance monitoring.
“The backwards compatibility with M6
trains applies to all of the functions of the
M7, except for the passenger information
systems,” says Ridremont. “But we are
working with the customer to potentially
upgrade the old system to the Ethernet
IP network. The customer would have the
ACCESS IDEAS
One idea was to manage access to
first class electronically, using a card.
Sébastien Ridremont of Bombardier
Transportation says the idea was
investigated, but found to be untenable.
“This was an idea at the beginning,
but at an operational level it’s too
complicated,” he says. “It’s perhaps
something for the future.”
Each seat
has a 220V
electric socket