CAF Civity
The CAF Civity is a family of modular, low-floor regional and commuter passenger trains manufactured by the Spanish rolling stock company Construcciones y Auxiliar de Ferrocarriles (CAF).[1] Introduced as a flexible platform, it supports configurations from 2 to 10 cars and is designed to optimize passenger capacity, comfort, and energy efficiency for short- to medium-distance services.[1] With more than 250 units constructed as of 2023, many in operation worldwide, the Civity emphasizes sustainability through 94% recyclability and reduced CO₂ emissions via efficient propulsion systems.[1] Key design features of the Civity include spacious interiors with ergonomic seating, large panoramic windows, power sockets at seats, Wi-Fi connectivity, air purification systems, and passenger information displays via TFT/LED screens.[1] The platform's modularity allows customization, such as adjustable door arrangements, dedicated business or economy zones, multi-purpose areas for bicycles or luggage, and compliance with accessibility standards like PRM-TSI, featuring wheelchair-accessible spaces and toilets.[1] Floor heights of 600 mm or 800 mm ensure low-floor entry, while bogies like ARIN provide smooth performance across standard gauges (1,435 mm) or others.[2] Maximum speeds reach up to 200 km/h, with braking deceleration up to 1.1 m/s², making it suitable for diverse regional networks.[2] The Civity platform offers multiple variants to match operational needs, including electric multiple units (EMUs) for electrified lines, diesel multiple units (DMUs) in mechanical or hydraulic configurations, hybrid diesel-electric units (DEMUs), battery-electric multiple units (BEMUs) that recharge under catenary, and emerging hydrogen-powered options for decarbonized routes.[1] Power outputs can reach up to 4,400 kW with at least four motors, supporting voltages such as 1,500 V DC, 3,000 V DC, 15 kV AC, or 25 kV AC.[2] Specialized versions like the Civity Nordic are engineered for extreme climates, operating reliably from -40°C to +40°C.[1] The Civity XL variant further enhances capacity for high-density services.[1] Deployments of the Civity span multiple countries, with notable contracts including 20 EMUs and 8 biodiesel-electric hybrid units for Swedish regions including Jönköping, Kalmar, Kronoberg, and Blekinge, valued at €250 million and set for service from 2026.[2][3] In the United Kingdom, CAF has supplied fleets such as the Class 195 diesel units for Northern, Class 196 for West Midlands Trains, and Class 197 for Transport for Wales, alongside electric Class 331 units for Northern. Additional orders include tri-mode variants for LNER in the UK and regional trains for New South Wales TrainLink in Australia to replace older stock like the XPT, with recent deliveries including the first unit to Sweden in 2025 and ongoing supplies to New South Wales as of late 2025.[4][5][6] These implementations highlight the platform's adaptability to local gauges, signaling, and environmental requirements.[2]Development
Background and launch
CAF commenced development of the Civity platform in 2010 as a modular family of regional trains targeted at low-to-medium capacity routes, prioritizing cost-efficiency and customization to meet diverse operator needs. The platform was first publicly presented in 2010, showcasing its potential for regional passenger services. The initial order for the Civity came in 2011 from Željeznički prevoz Crne Gore (ŽPCG), Montenegro's national railway operator, for three electric multiple units valued at €13 million, marking the platform's commercial debut with delivery scheduled for 2013.[7] The core design philosophy of the Civity revolves around interchangeable modules that support diesel, electric, bi-mode, and future battery propulsion options, enabling reduced manufacturing costs through shared components and easier adaptation to different markets.[8] This modularity has allowed the platform to evolve, including the introduction of double-decker variants in subsequent orders.[9]Initial orders and production
The initial order for the CAF Civity platform was placed by Željeznički prevoz Crne Gore (ŽPCG), the national railway operator of Montenegro, in October 2011 for three three-car electric multiple units classified as Class 6111. Valued at €13 million, this contract aimed to launch passenger services on the 56 km Podgorica–Nikšić freight-only line previously lacking regular operations. The units, each seating 165 passengers with a top speed of 120 km/h, were the first Civity trains to enter revenue service, beginning in July 2013 following a promotional run earlier that month; deliveries spanned 2013, with the second unit arriving in June and the third completing the batch by late 2013.[7][10][11] Subsequent early contracts in Italy expanded the platform's adoption in Europe. In 2011, the Friuli-Venezia Giulia region ordered eight five-car ETR 563 electric multiple units from CAF for operation by Trenitalia on regional services, followed by an additional four ETR 564 units equipped for cross-border compatibility with Austria and Slovenia.[12] These 12 units, built to a 160 km/h top speed and accommodating up to 560 passengers each, were delivered between 2012 and 2014 but faced certification delays, entering service in April 2015. Separately, in 2014 Ferrotramviaria placed an order for five four-car ETR 452 units to modernize suburban operations in Puglia, with deliveries and entry into service occurring the same year on lines radiating from Bari.[13][14] Production of Civity trains is centered at CAF's primary facility in Beasain, Spain, where engineering, bodyshell fabrication, and much of the assembly occur to leverage the company's expertise in modular design. For market-specific adaptations, particularly in the UK, final assembly and customization take place at CAF's dedicated plant in Newport, Wales, established in 2019 to support local content requirements and reduce logistics costs. This distributed approach enabled efficient scaling from the initial electric units to broader variants.[15][16] A key early production milestone outside continental Europe came with the UK's first Civity order in 2015, when Northern (operating as Arriva Rail North) selected CAF to supply 58 diesel multiple units designated Class 195—comprising 25 two-car and 33 three-car sets—for non-electrified regional routes in northern England. Construction began in 2017 at Beasain and Newport, with the first units rolling out for testing in 2018 and deliveries commencing in 2019, ultimately entering passenger service that July. These contracts prompted rapid expansion of the Civity lineup to include diesel and bi-mode configurations tailored to varied electrification standards.[17][18][19]Design
Technical specifications
The CAF Civity platform features a modular base configuration typically comprising 2 to 5 cars, with overall train lengths ranging from approximately 40 meters for a 2-car unit to 130 meters for a 5-car formation, depending on the specific market and operator requirements.[2] Car widths vary by gauge and regional standards, measuring 2.65 meters for UK loading gauge applications and up to 2.9 meters for continental European markets.[18] Floor heights are designed at 600 mm or 800 mm above the rail to facilitate platform accessibility across European networks.[2] Diesel variants employ MTU 6H 1800 R85L inline-6 turbocharged engines, each delivering 390 kW (523 hp) and typically one per powered car, with 2 to 4 engines per unit configuration for total outputs up to 1,560 kW in a 4-car setup.[18] Electric multiple unit (EMU) versions utilize asynchronous traction motors powered by overhead catenary systems compatible with 1.5 kV or 3 kV DC and 15 kV or 25 kV 50/60 Hz AC electrification standards.[2] All variants incorporate regenerative braking systems to recover energy during deceleration, contributing to overall efficiency.[1] Performance characteristics include maximum operating speeds of 100 to 160 km/h (62 to 100 mph), with potential scalability to 200 km/h for select high-speed regional applications, and acceleration rates of 0.5 to 1.1 m/s² depending on load and configuration.[2] Safety systems provide ETCS Level 2 compatibility through CAF's AURIGA onboard equipment, enabling automatic train protection and supervision.[20] The platform meets crashworthiness requirements under EN 15227 standards, featuring energy-absorbing structures at car ends.[1] Electric variants are optimized through lightweight materials, aerodynamic profiling, and efficient power electronics.[2] Adaptations for specific markets, such as double-deck configurations in Belgium, maintain these core specifications while adjusting interior volumes.[1]| Parameter | Specification |
|---|---|
| Configurations | 2–5 cars (modular, extendable to 10 in some variants) |
| Length | 40–130 m (e.g., 47.4 m for 2-car UK DMU) |
| Width | 2.65–2.9 m |
| Floor Height | 600–800 mm |
| Gauge | 1,435 mm (standard); adaptable to 1,520 mm |
| Diesel Propulsion | MTU 6H 1800 R85L (390 kW/engine, 1 per car) |
| Electric Propulsion | 1.5/3 kV DC; 15/25 kV AC; asynchronous motors (up to 4,400 kW total) |
| Top Speed | 100–160 km/h (up to 200 km/h) |
| Acceleration | 0.5–1.1 m/s² |
| Safety Standards | ETCS Level 2; EN 15227 crashworthiness |
| Efficiency | Regenerative braking; optimized through lightweight materials and power electronics |