PCS Rail in the Field:
Series 481 of Berlin’s Rapid Urban Transit System.
For more than 80 years, the S-Bahn rapid urban transit system has been the backbone of mass transit in Berlin, Germany. In conjunction with the city's bid for the 2000 Olympics, Deutsche Bahn decided in 1992 to purchase 500 new trains. By 1994, Bombardier Transportation and S-Bahn Berlin GmbH had created the basis for the next generation of vehicles that would replace the existing rolling stock, some of the trains having been in service since the 1920s and 1930s.
Initially, 100 so-called quarter-length trains were ordered - with an option to buy another 400. PCS, which was still called Fahrzeugausrüstung Berlin GmbH, was commissioned to develop and deliver more than 40 different components. The focus was on providing all auxiliaries equipment, including the air conditioning of the driver's cab and the lighting. To this end, PCS pioneered new approaches in power electronics, used computer-assisted instrumentation and control technology, and developed extensive diagnostics technology. To verify the development results, the entire electric equipment was re-created in the lab as systemic setup.
Field-trials began in 1995, initially on the test tracks in Hennigsdorf. Next came the initial deployment in Berlin's S-Bahn network, managed by a jointly staffed service office. The first official deployment of the series within the S-Bahn network in Berlin took place on December 11, 1997, with trains of this series being used for the S7 line.
From the start, the vehicles met with broad-based acceptance among the passengers. S-Bahn Berlin GmbH therefore exercised its option for the remaining 400 quarter-length trains, facilitating long-term production planning for PCS through 2004: The purchase order contributed substantially to effect full utilisation of the production capacities.
Because of changes in the service network, in passenger acceptance, in the transportation contracts of the S-Bahn with the states of Berlin and Brandenburg, Bombardier agreed to deliver three half-length trains with walk-through capability.
Over the years, series 481 trains have compiled the best service record of all new vehicles used by Deutsche Bahn, the German railway operator. Its availability exceeds 99 percent. Continuous improvements in cooperation with the customers involved hard- and software changes, among other things. All measures were monitored by a service team deployed on-site. Both the board of Deutsche Bahn and the senior management of Bombardier Transportation rated the overall process as exemplary for positive collaboration.
On the authority of these results, PCS was able to obtain the follow-up order for the main check-up, which includes the reviewing and servicing of all components that PCS provided for the equipment of about 140 quarter-length trains. PCS ensures a high level of customer satisfaction through quick repairs and a stable supply of spare parts over and beyond the delivery and warranty period.
The handover of the 500th train in August 2004 coincided with the 80th anniversary of Berlin's rapid urban transit system. Thus, PCS co-authored a chapter of the S-Bahn history in Berlin - and we certainly take pride in that.