The Stadler WINK (, ) is a hybrid

multiple unit A multiple-unit train (or multiple unit (MU)) is a self-propelled train composed of one or more Coach (rail), carriages joined, and where one or more of the carriages have the means of propulsion built in. By contrast, a locomotive-hauled ...

railcar designed and built by

Stadler Rail Stadler Rail AG is a Swiss manufacturer of railway rolling stock, with an original emphasis on regional train multiple units and trams, but moving also into Rapid transit, mass rapid transit, High-speed rail, high speed, Inter-city rail, interci ...

of Switzerland that entered service in the

Netherlands , Terminology of the Low Countries, informally Holland, is a country in Northwestern Europe, with Caribbean Netherlands, overseas territories in the Caribbean. It is the largest of the four constituent countries of the Kingdom of the Nether ...

in 2021.

Service history

The WINK was unveiled in November 2017 when European operator

Arriva Arriva Ltd. is a British multinational public transport company headquartered in Sunderland, England. The company was originally established on 24 October 1938 as T Cowie Ltd. Initially focused on the sale of motorcycles, it relaunched shortl ...

announced an order for 18 trainsets, which it planned to place in service in the northern

beginning in 2020. Upon delivery, repair and maintenance of the trainsets will be performed by Stadler in

Leeuwarden Leeuwarden (; ; ; ) is a List of cities in the Netherlands by province, city and Municipalities of the Netherlands, municipality in Friesland, Netherlands, with a population of 127,073 (2023). It is the provincial capital and seat of the Provin ...

through 2035. The first trainsets were put into service on 12 April 2021.

Current Operations

The Stadler WINK is currently operating in the following services:

Design

The WINK is a derivative design of Stadler's

FLIRT Flirting or coquetry is a social and sexual behavior involving body language, or spoken or written communication between humans. It is used to suggest interest in a deeper relationship with another person and for amusement. Flirting can change ...

railcars that is intended for service on lightly travelled lines. It has an aluminium carbody that can be customized in length by the customer, and can be powered by either diesel or electric powertrains with supplemental on board batteries. Arriva units were delivered with Deutz diesel engines, running on

vegetable oil fuel Vegetable oil can be used as an alternative fuel in diesel engines and in heating oil burners. When vegetable oil is used directly as a fuel, in either modified or unmodified equipment, it is referred to as straight vegetable oil (SVO) or pure pl ...

, and batteries charged by

regenerative braking Regenerative braking is an energy recovery mechanism that slows down a moving vehicle or object by converting its kinetic energy or potential energy into a form that can be either used immediately or stored until needed. Typically, regenerativ ...

; the engines are planned to be replaced by additional batteries once electrification is installed over part of their route. Each trainset can carry about 275 passengers, with seating for 150, and has a top speed of up to depending on customer specification.

References

{{Train types in the Netherlands Stadler Rail multiple units Multiple units of the Netherlands Hybrid vehicles Train-related introductions in 2021