Sprinter Lighttrain
Introduction The '''Sprinter Lighttrain''' or '''SLT''' is an Electric Multiple Unit (EMU) train type operated by the Nederlandse Spoorwegen in the Netherlands. They were built from 2007 to 2012 by Bombardier (2400) and Siemens (2600). It is the successor of the Sprinter SGM train type.
Names * Sprinter Lighttrain* Sprinter* SLT* S70 or S100
General information Amsterdam Amstel.The SLT is designed to replace the Mat '64 trains from the 1960s and 1970s, and to allow the double-decker NS DD-AR carriages from the 1990s to be refurbished/converted into self-propelling EMUs and transferred to longer, skip-stop Intercity services. The first 35 sets were ordered in 2005 and the first set, 2402 arrived in January 2008.The second set, 2602 arrived in February 2008 and both were used on test runs. In September 2007 NS ordered a further 64 sets, and these started arriving in the Netherlands in mid-2009.In 2009 a further 32 were ordered. The trains use regenerative braking, which can feed energy back into the contact wire when they brake.The trains are based on the DB Class 425 design, but adapted to meet the demands of the Sprinter. They use Jacobs bogies, which allow for thin and wide gangways between each coach. The units were built in Aachen and Hennigsdorf (2400) and Uerdingen (2600).The SLT trains are fitted with the ATB-EG train protection system used on the electrified Dutch network, as well as the European-standard ERTMS system that is planned to replace ATB-EG. The SLT trains are also fitted with GSM-R train radios.
Modernisation From 2018 onwards, all units are being retrofitted with on-board toilets and a special sliding step for wheelchair users, in response to the need to provide on-board toilets on all trains running on the ''hoofdrailnet'' as stipulated in the contract for NS to operate the 2015–25 concession. The toilet retrofit is conducted at the Talbot Services GmbH workshops in Aachen; of which 2 units are in the workshops at any one time. The expectations are that these modernisations will be completed in 2021.
Use of Sprinter Lighttrains The SLT is primarily for the Randstad area, around the four main cities (Amsterdam, Utrecht, The Hague and Rotterdam). They are used on stoptrein stopping services, designed for routes where stations are close together and for this they feature many wide doors and fast acceleration.After many test runs without passengers, they were put into service on 23 February 2009 between Den Haag Centraal – Gouda – Utrecht Centraal, two months later than planned. Passengers were happy with the comfort, no step between the train and the platform and the fresh interior, however the trains back then lacked on-board toilets.Problems occurred, especially when there was a four-car and a six-car unit coupled together, so the test was stopped temporarily on 1 May 2009.The test started again on 21 September 2009, outside of the peak hours. Again there were problems, and the delivery of sets was stopped for the time being.With the December 2009 timetable change, sets were put in again between Utrecht and Den Haag, as well as between Gouda and Rotterdam. In February 2010, the delivery of new sets was restarted, with four sets arriving each week. In May 2010 SLT sets also began operating between Rotterdam Centraal and Hoek van Holland Strand and on 24 May 2010 also between Utrecht Centraal and Baarn via Soest.In December 2010 more than 2/3 of the SLT's failed after snowfall, leaving the NS to revert to the old trains that had recently been stored out of services.
Services operated The SLT's are regularly used on these services in the current timetable (2017). They can sometimes appear on other services. Series Train Type Route Material Notes 4000 Sprinter Uitgeest – Zaandam – Amsterdam Sloterdijk – Amsterdam Centraal – Amsterdam Amstel – Amsterdam Bijlmer ArenA – Breukelen – Gouda – Rotterdam Alexander – Rotterdam Centraal SLT  4300 Hoofddorp – Schiphol Airport – Amsterdam Zuid – Duivendrecht – Weesp – Almere Centrum – Almere Oostvaarders  4600 Den Haag Centraal – Den Haag Laan van NOI – Leiden Centraal – Hoofddorp – Schiphol Airport – Amsterdam Sloterdijk – Amsterdam Centraal SLT,SNG This train continues as 14600 to Zwolle 4900 Utrecht Centraal – Utrecht Overvecht – Hilversum – Naarden-Bussum – Almere Centrum SLT This train stops only towards Utrecht Centraal in Utrecht Overvecht. At Sundays, this train drives is only 1 train per hour. This train drives until 8:00 pm 5700 Hoofddorp – Schiphol Airport – Amsterdam Zuid – Duivendrecht – Weesp – Naarden-Bussum – Hilversum – Utrecht Overvecht – Utrecht Centraal This train drives until 8:00 pm 5800 Hoofddorp – Schiphol Airport – Amsterdam Sloterdijk – Amsterdam Centraal This train continues as 15800 to Amersfoort Vathorst 6000 Utrecht Centraal – Houten – Geldermalsen – Tiel This train continues as 6100 to Woerden at Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays. 6100 Woerden – Utrecht Centraal This train drives only at weekdays until 8:00 pm and continues as 6000 to Woerden, but not at Wednesdays. 6800 Den Haag Centraal – Zoetermeer – Gouda – Gouda Goverwelle This train drives only at weekdays until 8:00 pm 6900 Utrecht Centraal – Houten – Geldermalsen – 's-Hertogenbosch This train drives only 1 train per hour between Geldermalsen and 's-Hertogenbosch, after 10:00 pm. This train continues as 7800 to Den Haag Centraal 7300 Breukelen – Utrecht Centraal – Veenendaal Centrum SLT, SGMm 7400 ''Uitgeest – Zaandam – Amsterdam Sloterdijk – Amsterdam Centraal – Amsterdam Amstel – Amsterdam Bijlmer ArenA -'' Breukelen – Utrecht Centraal – Driebergen-Zeist – Rhenen SLT, SGM 7800 Den Haag Centraal – Zoetermeer – Gouda – Woerden – Utrecht Centraal SLT This train continues as 6900 to 's-Hertogenbosch8800IntercityLeiden Centraal – Leiden Lammenschans – Alphen aan den Rijn – Bodegraven – Woerden – Utrecht CentraalSLT 14600Sprinter Amsterdam Centraal – Weesp – Almere Centrum – Almere Oostvaarders – Lelystad Centrum – Zwolle SLT,SNG This train continues as 4600 to Den Haag Centraal. 14900 Utrecht Centraal – Utrecht Overvecht – Hilversum – Naarden-Bussum – Almere Centrum SLT This train only drives after 8:00 pm and drives only 1 time per hour between Hilversum and Almere Centrum. 15600 Amersfoort Centraal – Nijkerk – Harderwijk This train stops only on Amersfoort Centraal, Nijkerk and Harderwijk 15800 Amsterdam Centraal – Weesp – Naarden-Bussum – Hilversum – Amersfoort  – Amersfoort Vathorst This train continues as 5800 to Hoofddorp.
Accidents and incidents 2012 collision involving an NS Sprinter Lighttrain unit (left)*On 28 November 2011, a Sprinter collided with a stationary Sprinter at . Three passengers were injured. *On 21 April 2012, unit 2658 was one of the two trains involved in a head-on collision near  station.
Gallery File:Sprinter LighTTrain 1e klas.JPG|1st Class seatingFile:Sprinter LighTTrain 2e klas.JPG|2nd Class seatingFile:Sprinter LighTTrain 2e klas 3.JPG|2nd Class seatingFile:Sprinter LighTTrain Cabine2.jpg|Cab ViewFile:Sprinter LighTTrain Display.JPG|Display Screens on SLTFile:Balkon Sprinter LighTTrain 2e klas 2.JPG|Balcony area of 2nd Class seatsFile:StadsbusSLT2424WCBU.jpg|On-board toilet unit of SLT 2424File:StadsbusSLT2424WCBI.jpg|Inside the toiletFile:NS 2945 and 2602.JPG|SLT and original Sprinter together at AmersfoortFile:NS 2401 Schiedam Centrum.jpg|SLT 2401 in service at Schiedam CentrumFile:2x SLT at Baarn.jpg | Two SLT multiple units at Baarn railway station
References