Bombardier To Overhaul 143 TWINDEXX Coaches For Israel Railways

On 15 January 2021, Bombardier Transportation announced that it started preparations for work on the mid-life overhaul for Israel Railways’ fleet of 143 TWINDEXX double-deck coaches at Kishon site, north of Israel. Worth around 15 million USD, this new project covers additional interior and exterior technical works to overhaul the car systems.

Delivered between 2002 and 2006, these first-generation TWINDEXX cars will now have some of their internal and external doors modernised and their passenger information systems and cables replaced. The project which recently started with design and engineering works, will then proceed with equipping one prototype train. The entire project is scheduled to be completed by January 2023.

This mid-life project is the next natural step in a six-year retrofit program for the ISR’s fleet of TWINDEXX coaches. Bombardier Transportation and ISR have recently implemented the necessary technical work packages to prepare and adjust the fleet for electric operation, including implementation of electromagnetic track brakes to allow a maximum speed of 160 km/h, as well as implementing additional diagnostics and safety systems.