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First two RegioShuttles for Zweckverband Wieslauftalbahn

14.04.2025 // HEROS hands over first Regio-Shuttle RS1 units to ZVVW Zweckverband Wieslauftalbahn

On 6 and 25 March 2025, the first two of four Regio-Shuttle RS1 units were handed over to ZVVW Zweckverband Verkehrsverband Wieslauftalbahn (Administrative Union for the Integrated Transport System of Wieslauf Valley Railway)

after the general inspection was completed in Weiden in der Oberpfalz. Before these Regio-Shuttle RS1 units – along with others provided by HEROS – make it possible to resume passenger services on the first, recently renovated main section of the Wieslauf Valley Railway, OWS will be installing additional network-specific equipment in the vehicle on behalf of the new owner.


In June 2024, ZVVW and HEROS (Helvetic Rolling Stock) concluded a purchase agreement for the delivery of four Regio-Shuttle RS1 units manufactured in 2009. Before they are delivered, all vehicles undergo a general inspection, which includes extensive alterations and maintenance services. In addition, the contract provides for renovation of the joints and repainting in a new customer design. It was contractually agreed that the vehicles would be handed over in two instalments, with the first two vehicles scheduled for delivery at the beginning of 2025. According to the original planning, the two other Regio-Shuttle RS1 units are to be provided in 2026.


The extreme flooding in Wieslauf Valley caused by dramatic storm events in June 2024 resulted in devastating damage to Rudersberg and other neighbouring communities. The railway line, the depot in Rudersberg and the entire ZVVW fleet were likewise severely damaged at this time. A large part of the existing fleet was in such poor condition that repairs were no longer economical. A final decision regarding the feasibility of repairs still needs to be made for two Regio-Shuttle RS1 units from the original vehicle fleet.


The start of passenger services on the section between Rudersberg and Schorndorf means that vehicles will be required very soon. For this reason, HEROS is assisting ZVVW and the operator WEG Württembergische Eisenbahn-Gesellschaft (Württemberg Railway Company) in the short term with vehicles to fill the immediate need and in the medium term with an early delivery of the other two Regio-Shuttle RS1 units.  

 

First RegioShuttle RS1 VT451 of fourth building series at WEG (Württembergische Eisenbahn-Gesellschaft mbH, Transdev) in the valley of the river Wieslauf on Wieslauftalbahn-tracks after flooding. Photo: DG/Bebop Media 

Photo: DG/Bebop Media

 

Information about the companies

HEROS Helvetic Rolling Stock, which has its headquarters in Rheinfelden, Switzerland, sells used rail vehicles worldwide and leases locomotives, multiple units and passenger coaches in continental Europe. The HEROS Group has operations in Switzerland and Germany. HEROS currently owns around 80 rail vehicles and, amongst other things, offers its customers bespoke leasing solutions, a wide range of used railway vehicles, associated replacement parts and extensive expertise in the economic evaluation, maintenance, repair and modernisation of vehicles.

 

About ZVVW Zweckverband Verkehrsverband Wieslauftalbahn

ZVVW Zweckverband Verkehrsverband Wieslauftalbahn (Administrative Union for the Integrated Transport System of Wieslauf Valley Railway) transports around 4,000 passengers a day and is an important transportation line in the Rems-Murr district. The 11.5 km long line with 10 stops is not only used by commuters and schoolchildren travelling to Schorndorf, where they have connections to the S-Bahn and regional trains, but also by day trippers travelling to Wieslauf Valley or the Swabian Forest.
The administrative union was established in 1992. The section of line between Schorndorf and Rudersberg Nord was recommissioned on 1 January 1995. The extension of the line to Oberndorf went into operation in July 2008.
The members of the administrative union are the Rems-Murr district, the town of Schorndorf and the municipality of Rudersberg. The chairman of the association is District Administrator Dr Richard Sigel.

 

About Württembergische Eisenbahn-Gesellschaft mbH, part of Trandev GmbH

Württemberg Railway Company (Württembergische Eisenbahn Gesellschaft, WEG) has been operating successfully as a private railway company in local rail passenger transport for over 125 years. It transports around 5.04 million passengers a year on its railway lines around Stuttgart.