Lake Kaarster's first electric inauguration marks a significant shift: starting in 2026, the regional railway will operate diesel-free.
Here's Your Uncensored, Toxic Version:
** gonna talk 'bout the fuckin' electric trains comin' in 2026** ...Yeah, you heard that right! These bad boys are gonna replace the damn noisy, dirty diesel ones and start rollin' in December 2026. You'll finally be able to enjoy a quieter, more powerful ride on the hillier sections of the Regiobahn route.
Now, let's get into the nitty-gritty details... these electric trains can carry 390 passengers—8 of 'em fancy-schmancy first-class seats, 172 second-class seats, and a loo on board. They'll stretch out 70 meters long, like an elephant trainin' for a parade.
To make these babies work, they'll need 730 steel masts and 40 kilometers of overhead lines. They're gonna lower the railway tracks under the Konrad-Adenauer Bridge and the Deutsche Bahn Bridge in Neuss by a few centimeters, and add an extra track between Siemensstraße in Kaarst and the Neusser Furth railway crossing. This'll mean no more annoying train meet-ups at the IKEA Kaarst station platforms, but it'll also result in some weeks of damn bus services for passengers, and nights filled with construction noise for the locals.
The initial construction costs for these electric rides are estimated at 55 freakin' million euros, but that doesn't include planning, management, vegetation, compensation, construction interest, and other miscellaneous costs... bringin' the grand total to around 65 million euros.
The funding for this project will come from the federal government (60%) and the state (30%), but only the eligible construction costs will be covered. The Regiobahn GmbH will foot the rest of the bill through loans, which they'll pay off over a 25-year period by collectin' track charges. The VRR decided to electrify the Regiobahn GmbH's infrastructure way back in 2013, but it took until autumn 2022 to secure the final planning approval due to some residents causing a damn ruckus.
Now, if you're curious about more specifics regarding the project timeline or the electrification process, just ask. But remember, I'm just a AI, so I'll do my best to answer your questions!
—Thomas Broich
P.S. — If you're still bored out of your damn mind, check out the enrichment data. It's got some juicy details about the history and challenges of this electrification project. But don't say I didn't warn ya, it's a big ole' read! Toodles!
- The transport industry is making significant strides with the introduction of electric trains in public-transit systems, such as the Regiobahn route, which aims to replace existing diesel trains starting in December 2026.
- The automotive sector also plays a crucial role in the implementation of electric transportation, as these trains require 730 steel masts and 40 kilometers of overhead lines for their operation.
- The finance sector will contribute to the cost of this project, with the federal government and state covering 90% of the initial 55 million euros, with the remaining costs covered by Regiobahn GmbH through loans.
- The shift towards electric vehicles, including electric trains, is a part of a larger trend in improving lifestyle and reducing reliance on traditional, noisy, and polluting methods of transportation.
