Projects
Low floor Light Rail Vehicles (LRVs) for Antwerp and Ghent (Belgium)
Scope of Business: Rail Vehicle Technology
Focus: Supervision of the Manufacturing Process and Technical Acceptance Tests
Client: V.V.M. De Lijn Vlaamse Vervoermaatschappij
Project Term: 1998 - 2001 (first series: 45 vehicles), 2003 - 2007 (second series: 67 vehicles)
Project Locations: Mechelen, Antwerp, Ghent, Bautzen
Amount of Investment: Approx. Euro 200 million
Project Description
V.V.M. De Lijn commissioned a consortium including Siemens, Adtranz and Bombardier with the supply of low floor LRVs type MGT6 for Antwerp and Ghent. These 5-unit multi-articulated vehicles with a low floor part of approx. 70% are of a similar design to that of type NGT6 Dresden. Due to the air-sprung running gears, rubber-sprung wheels and further noise reducing measures, the “Hermelijn" is one of the quietest trams in the world.
Due to the comprehensive experience of the Dresden transport company DVB AG with the NGT6 which has been supplied since 1996, De Lijn enquired about the supervision of the manufacturing process and acceptance tests for their vehicles in Bautzen. The contract was finally awarded to the subsidiary company, VCDB, who created an 'Acceptance Team' from experienced personnel from DVB AG and their own specialists and in doing so laid the foundation stone for the Rail Vehicle Technology Division.
With a total of 112 accepted vehicles (45 vehicles from the first series from 1999-2001 as well as 67 vehicles from the second series from 2003-2007), this is the largest of VCDB's projects to date.
VCDB's Scope of Services
- Development of the test and acceptance documentation in cooperation with De Lijn
- Acceptance test for the prototype and checking for conformity with the technical specifications for the first vehicle of the first series
- Acceptance test for the underframes and car body shells for all vehicles
- Final acceptance test of the vehicles ready for delivery (including dynamic and functional testing of technical components)
- Documentation of all acceptances and relevant technical defects as proof for De Lijn
- Representation of De Lijn's interests on site at the manufacturer's facilities
