Class 481 Electric Multiple Unit - Berlin, Germany
With more than a million passengers each workday, the Class 481 trains of Berlin's S-Bahn form the backbone of public transportation in the revitalized S-Bahn network in the German capital. In 1995, 500 two-car units (quarter trains) of these quiet, powerfully accelerating vehicles were ordered. These coaches' pleasant interiors and high level of ride comfort along with air suspension leave Berliners and their guests with no clue that this train too is built for economy from the ground up.
Just a few examples: the lightweight construction of NIROSTA steel enables the cost-efficient replacement of defective parts; radially adjustable wheels reduce wheel and rail wear; and brake energy is fed back into the network. Even interior maintenance is kept especially simple: e.g. the uncluttered area beneath the seats is easier to clean.
