From Austria, for Austria: TSA supplies motors for Citylink tram-trains in Upper Austria

Another milestone for the European rail industry and Traktionssysteme Austria (TSA): the company is supplying 1,500 electric traction motors for Stadler’s modern Citylink tram-train vehicles. These state-of-the-art rail vehicles will also operate in Upper Austria, ushering in a new era of public transportation – comfortable and fully accessible.

“With this project, TSA once again reinforces its position as an internationally trusted partner for high-performance and reliable rail propulsion systems. At the same time, the project represents an important contribution to the sustainable mobility transition in Austria and across Europe,” said Robert Tencl, CEO of Traktionssysteme Austria. “The motors have been specifically optimized for maximum efficiency, significantly reducing the vehicles’ energy consumption. In addition, both development and manufacturing take place at our Wiener Neudorf facility. Short supply routes and durable components are key elements of TSA’s sustainability strategy.”

The contract for the traction motors was awarded in 2022 as part of an international procurement project. TSA’s customer is Stadler Valencia, one of the Swiss rail vehicle manufacturer’s key development and production sites. The overall Citylink tram-train project was initiated by a cross-border procurement consortium consisting of 7 public transport operators from Austria and Germany. In total, more than 1,500 motors were ordered for over 650 tram-train vehicles. For Upper Austria specifically, 120 TSA electric motors have been firmly ordered for 20 vehicles, with an option for up to 50 additional vehicles in the future.

The vehicles are currently undergoing commissioning as well as extensive testing and approval runs. Regular passenger service in Linz is scheduled to start in 2027. By 2030, the new vehicles are expected to complement and partially replace the existing fleet.

TSA drives: The heart of modern rail vehicles
The TMR 36B-34-4 traction motors form the heart of the Citylink vehicles, delivering an optimal combination of performance, efficiency, and reliability. Tram-train operation places particularly demanding requirements on propulsion systems. Frequent acceleration and braking cycles in urban environments are combined with longer stretches at consistently high speeds in regional rail service. As a result, the motors must be optimized for multiple operating conditions while also providing exceptional robustness. TSA contributes decades of expertise in the development and production of traction motors. The drives are engineered to operate reliably for many decades while maintaining maximum efficiency – a critical factor for public transport operators.

Citylink: The next generation of light rail mobility
The Citylink vehicles represent an innovative mobility concept that combines the advantages of trams and trains. As tram-train vehicles, they enable direct connections from city centers far into surrounding regions –without passengers having to change trains. Technically, this concept is based on the vehicles’ ability to operate under two different power systems. Within urban networks, the vehicles run on 750 V DC, while outside the cities they switch to the conventional railway network’s 15 kV AC system. This allows them to operate seamlessly on both tram and regional rail infrastructure.

The three-car units are approximately 37 meters long and 2.65 meters wide, offering a spacious and fully accessible interior. Passengers benefit from level boarding at 550 mm platforms as well as automatically extending sliding steps that further improve accessibility. The interior is bright, air-conditioned, and completely step-free throughout the vehicle. Additional operational reliability is provided by a battery-powered emergency drive function, enabling shunting operations and bridging minor disruptions. A special feature of the Upper Austrian vehicles is an integrated luggage storage area – a practical addition specifically designed to meet the needs of regional commuters.