Norske Tog Class 93
| Industry | Rail vehicle manufacturing |
|---|---|
| Products | Bombardier Talent series trains, including Class 93 |
Class 93 () is a tilting two-car diesel multiple unit utilized by SJ Norge on Norway's non-electrified railways, such as the Nordland Line, Røros Line, and Rauma Line. Produced by Bombardier Transportation as part of the Bombardier Talent series, a total of fifteen units were delivered between 2000 and 2002 to succeed the aging NSB Di 3 locomotive-pulled trains.
Equipped with two Cummins diesel engines generating a total power output of , these trains can achieve speeds up to . Initially launched within NSB's NSB Agenda regional framework, the units faced technical difficulties and passenger discomfort due to limited interior space, which led to partial replacement by locomotive-hauled trains on the Nordland Line in 2007.
History
During the mid-1990s, NSB sought to modernize its fleet by substituting conventional locomotive-hauled trains with tilting multiple units. This resulted in an order for sixteen four-car Class 73 units intended for mainline routes. To address non-electrified lines like the Røros and Rauma Lines, NSB decided in 1996 to acquire seven tilting diesel multiple units, aiming to phase out Di3 locomotives within five years and avoid further diesel locomotive purchases following the unsuccessful Di6 acquisition.
By April 1997, three offers had been received, and in November 1997 NSB signed a contract with Talbot (later acquired by Bombardier) for eleven units—modified versions of the Talbot Talent. Prior to delivery, an additional four units were ordered to ensure full coverage on the Nordland Line services, except for the night train which continued operating with locomotives.
Class 93 units entered service in 2000 on the Nordland Line before expanding operations to include the Rauma and Røros Lines as part of NSB Agenda regional services, running alongside Class 70 InterCity Express trains in Eastern Norway. Early deployment exposed technical issues such as engine stoppages caused by humidity. By 2002, after six out of eleven units were non-operational within a year of delivery, NSB required Bombardier to modify interior layouts and technical systems. To sustain service levels, NSB rented former Di3 locomotives from Ofotbanen at a high cost due to previous sales below market price.
Passenger dissatisfaction contributed to NSB discontinuing the Agenda brand and consolidating it into a more generic regional train category.
Operationally, Class 93 trains serve as feeders connecting Oslo–Trondheim express services along routes including Dombås–Åndalsnes (Rauma Line), Hamar–Røros and Røros–Trondheim (Røros Line), and Trondheim–Mo i Rana (Nordland Line). Although considered for deployment on the Meråker Line, Class 92 units remained in use there. Typically, eight Class 93 units are active daily: four on the Røros Line, two on the Nordland Line, and two on the Rauma Line; an additional four units support Trondheim–Bodø operations. Double-unit formations are occasionally utilized during peak periods or equipment rotations. These trains also operate commuter services such as Bodø–Fauske–Rognan and Mo i Rana–Mosjøen.
In response to passenger preferences in 2007, Di4 locomotive-hauled trains were reinstated on the Trondheim–Bodø route—the longest railway line in Norway—despite Class 93’s superior speed capabilities.
By mid-2012, all Class 93 trains were outfitted with complimentary wireless Internet access for travelers.
In 2016, ownership transferred to state-owned Norske Tog, which leases rolling stock to operators. Following a June 2020 tender process, operation of Network 2 north—from Oslo to Bodø—shifted from Vy to SJ Norge. SJ Norge leases thirteen Class 93 units from Norske Tog under an eight-year agreement featuring an updated "Nord" livery.
Due to ongoing technical challenges and scarcity of spare parts impacting reliability, Norske Tog launched a tender in 2022 aimed at either replacing or removing the tilting mechanism.
Specifications
The Class 93 is a twin-car diesel multiple unit equipped with Bombardier's ContRoll tilting technology, designed to achieve higher speeds on traditional rail lines. Each trainset measures in length, in width, and in height, with an unladen weight of . Its construction features a modular stainless steel frame, assembled by fastening the base, sides, and roof components together.
Propulsion is provided by two Cummins N14E-R diesel engines producing a total output of , each engine having a displacement and reaching peak power at 1,500 rpm. The powertrain incorporates a five-speed gearbox and dual fuel tanks with a capacity of each. The vehicle operates on three bogies, with the powered bogies located at both ends, enabling a top speed of . The tilting mechanism allows the train to lean up to 5 degrees, enhancing cornering capability.
The interior showcases a combination of red accents and wood finishes. The central area, which includes doors on both sides, is designed with a low-floor configuration, while the front section is raised. Originally outfitted with 88 seats, the seating plan was adjusted to 76 seats in 2006 to improve passenger comfort based on user feedback. Onboard facilities feature vending machines for refreshments and a waste disposal system categorized into three recycling types.