#bi-mode

[merpmonde]

French and German cross-border railcars

Just on the French side of the border, Wissembourg station sees French TERs arriving from Haguenau and Strasbourg, meeting German Regionalbahn from Landau and Neustadt. When a French service doesn't cross the border itself, SNCF and DB services are often synced up, giving us the chance to see both companies' cross-border efforts side by side.

The B 85500 is a brand-new bi-mode (electric and Diesel) multiple unit from the Alstom Régiolis family. While not the first international Régiolis - a tri-voltage electric version runs between Évian and Geneva -, the B 85500 adds autonomous Diesel power. With 30 units on order, it aims to revive and/or intensify cross-border routes into Germany. I was under the impression there was a bit of a gathering at the front end of the train, maybe local politicians marking the type's first visit to Wissembourg?

On the German side meanwhile, we have a standard railcar for what DB regard as a relatively low-density non-electrified regional route, which was closed to passengers for over 20 years between 1975 and 1997. The BR 628/928 (628: power car, 928: trailer car) is a 1980s design. Besides the lack of low floor, there's not a lot wrong with them, and they have comfortable, current DB Regio interiors. More recent types have been used, and if a plan to electrify Landau and Winden stations to allow charging of battery-EMUs goes ahead, there could soon be the latest trains on the German side of Wissembourg station too.

Which brings us to our "I beg your pardon" of the week:

[tgveurofrance]

aix-en-provence-8 by tgveurofrance Via Flickr: Un autorail Diesel-électrique BGC (rame bi-mode B 81500 de Bombardier Transport) de la Région PACA. Page Internet : tgveurofrance.com.pagesperso-orange.fr/aix-marseille4.htm

[trainmaniac]

Stadler 755405 Bio-Mode unit arriving at Crown Point Depot, Norwich, UK. by Alan Hatton Via Flickr: Stadler class 755 bio-mode unit arriving at Greater Anglia’s Crown Point Depot.

[tgveurofrance]

b84603-1 by tgveurofrance Via Flickr: Un Régiolis bi-mode (la rame B 84603-B 84604) aux couleurs de la Région PACA sur la voie E de la gare d'Aubagne (Bouches-du-Rhône) le 12 décembre 2016. Page web : tgveurofrance.com.pagesperso-orange.fr/regiolis.htm