The WINK is a regional train made by Stadler Rail, a Swiss rolling stock company. It's a two-car multiple-unit train with a lightweight aluminium superstructure designed for branch lines with minimal passenger footfall.
WINK is a German acronym for "convertible, innovative short train for local transportation." The train is part of Stadler's sustainable portfolio of regional trains and was introduced in 2017.
The WINK train's modular design is inspired from the FLIRT train, which has over 1,400 operational units. The trains have a completely accessible driving unit placed between the two carriages. They are outfitted with energy-generating components, traction elements, and auxiliary systems, which offer a very adaptable driving system. Like the Flirt's, the end bogies are powered by the cab. However, the key difference between WINK and FLIRT is the central power pack.
The WINK trains are 2.82m wide and 4.12m high and have floor heights ranging between 78cm and 114.5cm. The most amazing part is that the train's superstructure has been formed with welded extruded aluminium.
The first WINK train began operating in April 2021 in the Groningen and Friesland provinces of Noordelijke Lijnen, the Netherlands, for railway operator Arriva Netherlands. Arriva also launched the WINK trains as part of its first night services from Maastricht to Schiphol in December 2022. The night train connects Maastricht in the country's south with major Dutch towns, including Schiphol Airport.
The WINK trains have easy-to-use interiors, sliding steps for accessibility, and various amenities such as power sockets and passenger information systems. They can run on diesel, electric, or battery power, and Arriva Netherlands has ordered 18 units for use in Friesland and Groningen starting in 2035. The contract also includes upgrading existing units with new passenger information systems and energy storage.
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