The Pesa Link is a family of Polish diesel multiple units developed by the Polish rolling-stock manufacturer Pesa SA, built in Bydgoszcz, Poland. The single, double and triple car units were built, but the manufacturer also plans a quadruple car version. The Pesa Link trains currently operate in the Czech Republic (České dráhy), Poland (Lower Silesian Railways, Greater Poland Railways, and Polregio), Germany (Niederbarnimer Eisenbahn and Deutsche Bahn) and Ghana (Ghana Railway Company Limited).
History
Origins In 2001, a type 214M Partner diesel railbus was introduced, followed in 2004 by its double car version, the type 218M. In 2008, Pesa introduced another model – the triple car type 219M Atribo. The Link family represents the third generation of diesel multiple units in Pesa's range. The exterior and interior designs of the multiple unit family were designed by Bartosz Piotrowski, while the driver's cab was designed by Mariusz Gorczyński.
Orders
17 March 2011 – signing a contract for the delivery of 31 diesel multiple units for České dráhy 20 December 2011 – signing a contract for the delivery of 12 diesel multiple units for Regentalbahn, 25 February 2015 the order was cancelled 2 July 2012 – signing a contract for the delivery of 2 diesel multiple units for West Pomeranian Voivodeship Marshal's Office 19 September 2012 – signing a framework contract for the supply of up to 470 diesel multiple units for Deutsche Bahn 22 November 2013 – signing an implementing contract for the delivery of 36 diesel multiple units 12 March 2014 – signing an implementing contract for the delivery of 9 diesel multiple units 24 September 2014 – signing an implementing contract for the delivery of 26 diesel multiple units 24 October 2018 – signing an implementing contract for the delivery of 1 diesel multiple unit 15 March 2013 – signing a contract for the delivery of 4 diesel multiple units for Lubusz Voivodeship Marshal's Office 2 October 2017 – A court settlement was reached, under which the Marshal's Office will receive 2 additional multiple units. 1 October 2021 – signing a contract for the delivery of 1 diesel multiple unit to the Marshal's Office, previously used by Greater Poland Railways 24 September 2013 – signing a contract for the delivery of 9 diesel multiple units for Niederbarnimer Eisenbahn 2016 – 2 ordered multiple units, triple car changed to 4 double car multiple units 9 February 2015 – signing a contract for the supply of 4 diesel multiple units to Greater Poland Railways under a lease arrangement 7 September 2015 – signing a contract for the delivery of 4 diesel multiple units for Lower Silesian Railways February 2017 – signing a contract for the delivery of 3 diesel multiple units for Przewozy Regionalne (with an option for the next 2, which later were used) 13 October 2017 – signing a contract for the delivery of 9 diesel multiple units for Greater Poland Voivodeship Marshal's Office September 2022 – signing a contract for the delivery of diesel multiple units for the Ghana Railway Company
Promotional exhibits
The Link family was first showcased at InnoTrans in Berlin on 18 September 2012. Pesa showcased a double car Link (223M-001/600-001) in the livery of Oberpfalzbahn (Upper Palatinate Railway – a Regentalbahn brand). Later however, the multiple unit was not intended for the operator; after InnoTrans, it was sent for modification and sold to the West Pomeranian Voivodeship. Between 18 to 20 June 2013, The Link unit, numbered 844-017 was showcased at the Czech Raildays in Ostrava. In September 2013, two units were showcased simultaneously at Trako in Gdańsk (600-003 for Oberpfalzbahn and SA139-002 for the West Pomeranian Voivodeship). Meanwhile, in September 2014 at InnoTrans, Pesa and Deutsche Bahn jointly showcased a single car unit – the first multiple unit in DB livery. Two years later in 2016, a double car unit for NEB was unveiled at InnoTrans.
Obtaining type approval in Germany The test runs for the first multiple units built for the German operator – a double car unit for Regentalbahn, occurred in November 2012. The multiple units were intended for over a year of testing, in particular for type approval in Germany. On 5 February 2013, the multiple unit numbered 600-001 arrived at the test track center in Żmigród, and operated in Germany from April to the part of May, where it returned to Żmigród at the end of May. In June, the second and third multiple units joined it, and the tests were conducted on a trainset consisting of three units.
Pesa obtained permits for test runs without passengers on the DB network, for example: test runs for multiple units numbered 632-004 and 005 on 28 September 2014, and training German train drivers; however, full authorization for operation wasn't secured in 2014. The manufacturer attributed the delays to a change in German regulations regarding wheelset assessment that occurred whilst the company was seeking type approval.
In the second half of 2014, Pesa manufactured a single car and triple car Links intended for testing. The first triple car link (633-001) was in Görlitz in October (following the completion of tests for TÜV Süd Rail certification), and in December, it was sent for testing in the climate chamber at Rail Tec Arsenal facility in Vienna. The process for their authorization (multiple units numbered 631-001 and 633-001) for operation on PKP PLK and DB networks was scheduled to begin in April 2015' Between 2015 and 2016, the Link units for DB underwent testing at the test track center near Żmigród, where propulsion and braking systems were tested at that time. In May 2016, the triple car Link was tested again at the IK test track. On 3 June, the Authority issued an authorization for service for the Link diesel multiple unit operated by Niederbarnimer Eisenbahn (NEB). It is the second diesel multiple unit manufactured outside Germany to receive type approval for operation in that country. Despite securing authorization for the NEB Link units, the work continued on obtaining approval for the double car Link version for DB; the process involved testing at the test track near Żmigród and in the climate chamber in Minden during the second half of the year. In autumn 2016, Pesa also signed an agreement with DB Systemtechnik regarding cooperation on the type approval process.
In June 2017, tests conducted by TÜV SÜD Rail took place near Innsbruck, Salzburg, and Vienna. The testing included the operation of a double car unit in a multiple unit configuration with a triple car unit, multiple unit stability at high speeds, and multiple unit status on tight-radius curves. The tests were successful.
On 30 May 2018, the German railway authority granted type approval for the double car Link unit for DB. In June, the multiple units were showcased in Dortmund for the first time, and on 11 July the first passenger services took place on the route between Dortmund and Lüdenscheid. Authorization for triple car Links was issued on 30 July.
In August, the tests of double car Links operating in a quadruple unit formation took place on the track near Żmigród.
In April 2020, the triple car version for the Allgäu region received approval.
Successor On 26 February 2021, Pesa signed a framework agreement with the Czech railway operator České dráhy for the supply of 160 diesel multiple units; however, the agreement no longer concerned the Link multiple units, but rather multiple units based on the Link design.
Technical details
General characteristics
The Link family includes the Link I diesel railbus and double and triple car diesel multiple units (Link II and Link III). Quadruple car units were also subsequently added to the product range. Number of unitsTypeUIC classNumber and power output of enginesLengthNumber of seatsCapacity1B'2'1x565 kW28,65 m (28,05 m)70–801502223MB'2'B'2x390 kW43,73 m (43,75 m)100–1502503B'2'2'B'2x565 kW57,13 m (60,77 m)150–1903504B'2'2'2'B'2x565 kW70,53 m450Source, in brackets the information according from the second source is given
Interior and passenger area
The multiple units feature a partially low-floor design with entrances ( wide) located above the top of the rail (a version is also available). An additional step allows boarding from platforms as low as above the track. The access from the height is also possible for wheelchair users via a portable ramp. The low-floor section includes a designated area for wheelchair users, an accessible toilet, and space for transporting strollers and bicycles. Noise levels comply with the Technical Specification for Interoperability (TSI) regarding noise.
Traction and suspension
The double car Link units are powered by two diesel engines, each with a power output of 390 kW (523 hp). These engines are manufactured by MTU and comply with the Euro IIIB emission standard. ZF transmissions are specified for the MTU power units. The manufacturer also offers the option of installing MAN engines paired with Voith transmissions. In the double car version, each fuel tanks have a capacity of (the configuration for Greater Poland Railways).
The basic model of Link units are designed for speeds of up to , they can also be adapted for speeds of up to or .
The Link units can operate in multiple-unit mode (up to three units), including with older Pesa diesel models (for example, 214Ma, 219M).
The Link units run on conventional type 32MNb traction bogies and type 42ANb Jacobs trailing bogies. The primary suspension stage of the bogies consists of coil springs with hydraulic dampers, while the secondary stage uses air springs.
Safety
The Pesa Link structure meets the requirements of the EN-12663 structural strength standard (Cat. P II) and the EN-15227 crashworthiness standard (Cat. C-1), which covers four event scenarios. The Link exceeds the requirements of the first standard – its high-strength steel structure is designed to withstand an axial compressive force of 6,000 kN (compared to the required 1,500 kN). The Link was the first diesel multiple unit in the world to comply with the second of these standards. To meet the EN-15227 criteria, the design incorporates (as in the Elf model) a driver's cab safety cage, front-mounted energy absorbers with an anti-climb system and a cellular aluminum (Honey Comb) block, and an under-frame obstacle deflector with a strength of 300 kN. The Link’s framework is designed to remain undeformed during a collision under the third scenario conditions at speeds of up to 110 km/h. Additionally, the interior materials meet the EN-13501 fire safety standard, and the multiple unit is equipped with a fire detection system.
Components The German company SMA Railway Technology supplies SMARTcharger battery chargers for multiple units operated by Oberpfalzbahn and České dráhy. Knorr-Bremse supplies braking systems for these operators' multiple units.
Versions CustomerNumber of unitsClassNumber of seatsAdditional equipmentWeightEntrance height (above the tracks)Numper and power output of enginesEngine typeTransmission typeTop speedSource1st class2nd classČeské dráhy2844996+15AC, bicycle racks, WIFI84,4 t600/760 mm (different sources)2x 390 kWMTU 6H 1800 R85LHydro-mechanical120 km/hWest Pomeranian Voivodeship2SA139–103AC, bicycle racks, WIFI, electrical outlets84,5 t600 mm2x 390 kWMTU 6H 1800 R84P120 km/hSide photo of SA139-002Lubusz Voivodeship2SA139–108+26AC, bicycle racks120 km/hGreater Poland Railways2SA139–12689 t2x 390 kWMTU 6H 1800 R85LZF Ecolife120 km/hRegentalbahn2–103+21AC, bicycle racks600 mm2x 390 kWMTU 6H 1800 R85L120 km/hNiederbarnimer Eisenbahn2BR632–140AC, bicycle racksMTU140 km/h3–200AC, bicycle racksMTU140 km/hDeutsche Bahn Hessen2BR6328102AC, bicycle racks600 mm2x 390 kW140 km/h3BR63312148AC, bicycle racks600 mm2x 390 kW140 km/hPolregio2SA139–130AC, bicycle racksAC – passenger area air conditioning, WIFI – wireless Internet access
Class 844 České dráhy