photo: https://www.newag.pl/pierwszy-polski-pojazd-hybrydowy-impuls-2-na-torach/#prod-4/Hybrid Impuls
The Polish town of Szczecin welcomed the first two hybrid passenger trains. The trains were manufactured by Newag S.A. and ordered by the West Pomeranian Voivodeship, which is the first Polish region where hybrid trains will run.
The basic order for the two trains reached EUR 8,83 million. The contract also includes an option to purchase another 10 vehicles worth EUR 44,15 million.
The first of the delivered trains is amber, the second green coloured. Symbolically, this indicates a greater degree of environmental friendliness of these new trains.
“These first two hybrid trains which enter West Pomeranian railway infrastructure are the result of our vision to become the most environmentally friendly voivodeship in Poland. The tracks are not electrified everywhere in Poland, and thanks to these two-drive trains, we will be able to travel wherever possible with an electric drive, and where necessary, we will move with a combustion engine. You will be able to travel them comfortably, but at the same time ecologically. I am convinced that these two trains will fantastically serve our residents, tourists and the natural environment,” said the Marshal of the West Pomeranian Voivodeship, Olgierd Geblewicz.
The new trains are called Hybrid Impuls. They will offer passengers 150 seats. However, the total capacity of the train is 302 passengers. Special attention was paid to safety features as well as to the comfort of passengers during transport. The trains are thus equipped with an information signaling device for passengers, a fire extinguishing system, a GPS monitoring system and luggage carriers. There are also parking spaces on the trains or ramps for people with reduced mobility.
Impuls 2 type 36WEh cars can reach speeds of up to 160 km/hour when using electric propulsion. In diesel mode, the maximum speed is 120 km/hour. That is the uniqueness of this vehicle. This is the first Polish railway vehicle that can use both electric and diesel propulsion.
It is the West Pomeranian Voivodeship that is described as the most developed region in terms of rolling stock. It owns the most passenger Impulse trains. Between 2013 and 2018, the number of these cars increased by 40 EMUs. Of these, 22 EMUs were EZT Impuls type 31WE, and 18 EMUs were of type 36WE. Now, the West Pomeranian Voivodeship is the first region to use hybrid trains Impuls 2 type.