Class 21/LINT-41

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Number series: 21-45
UIC Class: 95 84 5021/22 xxx-x
Number built: 25
Number in service: 24 (January 2009)
Introduced: 2001
Axle arrangement: B'2'B'
Continuous power rating: 630kW
Maximum speed: 120km/h
Length: 41m
Transmission: Hydraulic
Builder: Alstom LHB (Germany)
Passenger seating: 124 second class

When Syntus took over the operation of the lines Zutphen-Winterswijk and Winterswijk-Doetinchem of NS, they hired partly rather old stock from NS (diesel trainsets class DE3/Plan U). Syntus decided to order new stock for their lines and chose for an already existing type of light-rail DMU, the LINT-41 of Alstom LHB. This type also operates for the Nordwestbahn, Nordostseebahn and Mecklenburgbahn in Germany, and also DBAG has a few sets.
The LINT-41 is a two-car articulated DMU featuring a low floor (that is, at Dutch platform level of 81cm above rail), air conditioning with doors closing automatically a few seconds after the last passenger, and most important high accelleration. However, the maximum speed of 120km/h is lower than the trainsets they replaced.
The LINT DMUs are currently used on Zutphen-Winterswijk for all trains and about half of the trains on Arnhem-Doetinchem-Winterswijk. The line Zutphen-Winterswijk was upgraded to allow a half-hourly service to be introduced. Also a new station Winterswijk-West was opened. Because Syntus also took over the operation of Arnhem-Doetinchem from NS, the remaining LINT DMUs are not sufficient to operate all trains on Arnhem-Doetinchem-Winterswijk. Part of the trains on this line is operated using NS DMUs class 3400/DM'90 until the second batch of 8 trainsets is delivered in 2002. Also on Doetinchem-Winterswijk Syntus doubled the frequency to 2 trains every hour.
In March 2002 delivery started of the second batch, which made it possible to return class DM'90 3442-3445 and the unrebuilt Plan U DMUs to NS. LINT DMUs currently operate on all Syntus lines, with the remaining class DM'90 used on Arnhem-Zevenaar rush hour trains. One trainset (31) was badly damaged in an accident and is currently out-of-service.
As Syntus has won the tender to operate trains on Zutphen-Hengelo-Oldenzaal, another batch of 3 LINT DMUs was ordered. Since December 2003 the new sets are in service, also on the mentioned line. Two more DMUs were ordered in March 2004, these were delivered in September 2005.

In spring 2007 two LINT DMUs nrs. 44 and 45 were repainted in red and dedicated to the Almelo-Mariënberg service on behalf of Connexxion. One more class DM'90 trainset was hired from NS as compensation.