B11 (mee) 21-90 | TrainsDepot.org

Source: trenuletz.forumgratuit.ro

Source: forum.metrouusor.com

Source: Daniel Ursu - railfaneurope.net

Source: forum.metrouusor.com

B_{11 (mee)} 21-90

Also known as:

AVA 200

UIC / EVN numbering:

61 53 21-90

Vehicle type:

Regular passenger coach

Registration country:

Romania

Railway companies:

CFR - Caile Ferate RomâneSNTFC - Societatea Naţională de Transport Feroviar de Călători (CFR Călători)

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In service:

from 1996

Era:

V - VI

Built by:

ASTRA Arad

Gauge:

Standard gauge (1'435 mm)

Length over buffers (mm):

26'400 mm

Width (mm):

2'825 mm

Wheelbase (distance between bogies centers) (mm):

19'000 mm

Tare weight (t):

46 t

Bogies:

Y 32 R

Wheel diameter (x'xxx,xx | mm | new / worn):

920 mm*
*new
870 mm*
*worn

Maximum speed (km/h):

200 km/h

Braking system (vacuum brakes / air brakes / electropneumatic brakes / electronically controlled pneumatic brakes / electric brakes - tread (clasp) brakes / axle-mounted disk brakes / wheel-mounted disk brakes / dynamic brakes / regenerative brakes / rail brakes):

KE - PR - Mg(D)

Compartments (compartments / attendant compartment):

11x compartments

Number of seats / compartment (1st class seats / 2nd class seats / 3rd class seats / folding seats):

6x seats

Toilets (direct discharge toilets / closed circuit toilets):

2x toilets with vacuum

Electric Train Supply (ETS) (yes / no - xxxxV AC / DC - xx,xx Hz):

1000 V 16,5 Hz / 1500 V 50 Hz AC / 1500 V DC / 3000 V DC

Air conditioning (yes / no):

yes

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Vehicle's history

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1996

The AVA 200 series of passenger coaches represents a significant milestone in the modernization of the Romanian Railways (CFR) and the industrial capabilities of Astra Vagoane Călători Arad. Developed in the late 1990s and early 2000s, these coaches were designed to meet the UIC (International Union of Railways) standards for high-speed international and domestic traffic, specifically targeting a maximum operational speed of 200 km/h. This project was a cornerstone of CFR's strategy to upgrade its "InterCity" and "Rapid" services on rehabilitated corridors, such as the Bucharest - Constanțan and Bucharest - Brașov lines.

The AVA 200 project emerged from a collaboration between Astra Vagoane Călători and international partners. The most critical international partnership for the AVA 200 project was with the French company De Dietrich Ferroviaire (which was acquired by Alstom in 1998). The AVA 200 is essentially a Romanian evolution of the French Corail coach.
Technology transfer: Alstom provided the blueprints and technical assistance to adapt the Corail platform for the Romanian network's specific requirements.
The Y32 bogie: A central component of this collaboration was the licensing of the Y32 bogie, a high-speed design originally developed for the SNCF. Astra produced the Y32R variant in Arad under license, incorporating disc brakes and magnetic track brakes to allow for 200 km/h operational speeds.

While Alstom provided the structural and mechanical foundation, Siemens was the primary partner for the electrical and electronic systems. Siemens provided the static converters and the entire power supply system (1500V 50Hz / 3000V DC) required for the energy-intensive climate control and passenger systems. The climate control units (HVAC) and the electronic passenger information systems (PIS) used in the early batches of the 10-90 and 21-90 series were sourced from Siemens components, ensuring compliance with international UIC standards for comfort and safety.

The car bodies are constructed from high-tensile steel, providing high crashworthiness and sound insulation.

The fleet consists of several specialized series to accommodate different passenger needs. The 10-90 series (1st class) and 21-90 series (2nd class) are the most numerous, featuring open-salon layouts with ergonomic seating, climate control, and electronic passenger information systems. A notable variant is the 89-87 series, which serves as a "Bistro" or restaurant car, designed to provide catering services on long-distance routes. These coaches were among the first in Romania to feature vacuum toilets, automatic sliding doors between sections, and power outlets for passengers, setting a new standard for luxury and comfort in the region.

Initially introduced for the premium "InterCity" services, the AVA 200 coaches allowed CFR to compete with road and air travel on key domestic routes. Over the years, the series has undergone various refurbishment programs to maintain modern standards, including the installation of Wi-Fi equipment and updated interior aesthetics. While the Romanian rail infrastructure has not always allowed for sustained 200 km/h operation across the entire network, the coaches remain the most advanced rolling stock in the CFR Călători fleet for locomotive-hauled trains. They are frequently used on international trains connecting Bucharest with Budapest and Vienna.

The 50x units from this series are built by ASTRA Arad between 1996 and 1997.

Sources: https://www.vagonweb.cz/popisy/popisy.php?k=CFR&z=a&p=v&lang=en

2009

Unit 61 53 21-90 023-0 is modernized by ASTRA Arad. While the technical work was completed successfully, a financial dispute arose between the manufacturer and the Romanian State Railway (CFR Călători) regarding payment for the modernization program. As a result, unit 023-0, along with several other sister units, was withheld by the manufacturer and placed into long-term storage at the factory:

This period of storage lasted for approximately 12 years, during which the coach was effectively a "ghost" vehicle, absent from the active CFR fleet despite having been modernized. The deadlock was finally broken in 2021 when the outstanding financial obligations were settled. On September 9th, 2021, unit 61 53 21-90 023-0, classified as B_{11 mee}, is spotted on a trial run between Timisoara and Arad but without the distinctive livery .

Concerns registration number(s): 61 53 21-90 023-0

Sources: https://www.vagonweb.cz/popisy/popisy.php?k=CFR&z=a&p=v&lang=en

2016

February

In February 2016, unit 21-90 029 spotted in the new EXPRESS livery:

Concerns registration number(s): 61 53 21-90 029-7

Sources: https://forum.metrouusor.com/ViewTopic?TopicId=610&PageNum=2

2020

All 50x units are scheduled to go through a modernisation process by Astra in Arad (Romania):
- Lot 1: "RG-type repair services with modernization of AVA 200 CFR wagons - series 21-90";
- Lot 2: "RG-type repair services with modernization of AVA 200 CFR wagons - series 21-90, new series 21-91 saloon".

At a later stage, it is decided also to transform some of the coaches in couchette coaches. Thus, after the modernisation process, there will be:
- modernized B_{11 mee} 21-90 coaches that will keep their compartments layout;
- modernized Bmpz 21-91 open (saloon) coaches;
- new couchette coaches.

Sources: https://www.vagonweb.cz/popisy/popisy.php?k=CFR&z=a&p=v&lang=en, https://forum.metrouusor.com/ViewTopic?TopicId=610&PageNum=4

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