Stadler had been named preferred bidder for the contract on August 23 2016, beating rival offers from Bombardier Transportation, Vossloh, CAF and PESA. An appeal by Bombardier Transportation was unsuccessful, and the contract was signed when a deadline for cancellation of the order expired on April 21.

The Type X15P units for the 65 km Roslagbanan will be designed for an operating speed of 100 km/h and maximum speed of 120 km/h, with lightweight aluminium bodies to allow for rapid acceleration and to reduce energy and operating costs. Each 60 m long three-car unit will have 150 seats and a total capacity of 300 passengers, with better access for persons with restricted mobility than the current EMUs and more space for prams and bikes.

The trains will be specially designed to withstand the harsh winter conditions, with enclosed traction equipment, double-wall inter-car gangways, high levels of insulation, floor heating and warm air curtains around the doors.  This will draw on Stadler’s experience with multiple-units supplied to Norway, Finland, Estonia, Russia and Belarus.

Stadler said custom-designed vehicles now generate between 12% and 15% of its turnover. ‘We are delighted with this order from Stockholm’, said owner and CEO Peter Spuhler on April 24. ‘The customised vehicles will allow us to demonstrate our flexibility and customer focus once again’.