In an unexpected turn of events, Hanover's S-Bahn trains have found a second life in Munich's commuter rail system. According to a revealing report by "Spiegel," these retrofitted trains came with a hefty price tag, estimated to be around 30 million euros. The bill included not just the purchase of the trains from Hanover, but also extensive upgrades and modernizations.
There were new coatings and paint jobs, along with 194 new seat cushions. The vehicles also saw the installation of eight double-sided monitors and ten color LED screens. For added comfort and connectivity, Wi-Fi technology was integrated, and technical components were replaced. The upgrades even extended to the toilets, which were expanded into multifunctional spaces.
However, it's essential to note that toilets are not regular features in metropolitan S-Bahn systems, including the 273 other vehicles in the fleet. The short travel times and susceptibility to vandalism and maintenance make them an impractical addition. The retrofitted trains from Hanover were therefore deployed in the outer areas, allowing for redistribution of vehicles on other lines and maintaining traffic flow in Hanover as well.
The German railroad, Deutsche Bahn, confirmed the conversion of 16 S-Bahn trains from Hanover, but remained tight-lipped about the exact costs involved. These trains, originally from Bavaria, now serve as an interim solution as the delivery of new XXL trains for the Munich S-Bahn has been delayed.
Sources: - - Additional enrichment data regarding European rail services, schedules, and general train travel information in Germany was found, but it did not provide detailed information specific to the retrofitting and conversion of the 16 S-Bahn trains from Hanover.[1][2][4]
