Bombardier Sochi-2014

Bombardier Sochi-2014 is a passenger train designed for a shuttle service between the Olympic facilities in Krasnaya Polyana and Sochi International Airport.

The proposed design solution is the result of the requests analysis of potential consumers, as well as the research of existing analogues. Given the importance of the Olympic Winter Games Sochi 2014 for the image of Russia, the project demonstrates the latest advances in science and technology, the country care about the environment. This condition allows the use of expensive, high-tech and environmentally friendly materials, sophisticated design and innovative engineering solutions, such as: automatic control, space frame, panoramic windows, etc.

The unique nature of Sochi and the Caucasus foothills, humanist message of the Olympic Games is determined stylistic concept of the project. The basis of exterior and interior solutions taken a combination of streamlined bionic forms like a head of bottlenose dolphin, architectural and symbolic elements – arch doorways associated with Olympic rings. The feature of the project is to abandon the glazing head of the train, further emphasizing the presence of automatic traffic management systems that do not require a driver control.

Bombardier Sochi 2014 is an image project. The basis of its design supposed to use the most modern high-tech materials: light alloys, composite materials, carbon etc.

Architecture of train carriages is a two levels structure with panoramic windows on the second floor (height, width and shape of the cross section corresponds to Russian and international standards for trains with gauge of 1520 mm.).

The basis of the body of each car is hard space frame "bird cage" made of steel and aluminum alloys mounted on a biaxial motor bogie.

Exterior body is sheathed with aluminum and stainless steel panels. Front fairing made of a composite material.

At the ends of the car there are standard couplings type SA-3 or the analogs, with an adapter suitable for use with the SA-3. In the head and the tail car coupling is mounted on a retractable underframe and closed with a fairing cover.

All cars are divided into functional areas: passenger lounges, lobbies, areas for luggage, toilets and technical compartments.

At the head and tail cars is the automatic control cabin with the access of an operator-driver. Above it is a radar installation and stereoscopic cameras, responsible for the automatic movement of the train.

The exterior and the interior are applying one color scheme, including hues of blue, red and white. The solution is based on the Russian tricolor flag, it makes it easy to apply any logos and symbols of the Olympic Games, the city of Sochi and the Russian Federation. The color of the floor and the seats matches to the class of interior and coincides with the ticket color (red – economy class, blue – the first class).

An entrance from the platform is through a wide single leaf automatic door, which has an increased width and height for easy entry and exit with a bulky sport equipment (1540 x 2300 mm). Inside and outside the door is opened by pressing the touch button as a symbol of the palm. Floor of the vestibule is located at the level of the standard platform.

In the vestibule, on the one side, placed lockers, designed for bulky luggage which could be open by magnetic tickets, on the other side is a universal mounting for skis, snowboards and bicycles.

Two stairs lead to the panoramic first-class salon on the upper floor and an economic class salon on the lower floor. Stairs are equipped with handrails and illuminated steps. Head and tail cars are equipped with a lift for wheelchair users.

Ergonomic solution complies with Russian and international requirements and standards for suburban rail transport. The total seating capacity of the three cars is 288 people, which corresponds to an average capacity of modern wide-bodied aircraft (A-340, and others.).

The salon of the first floor (economy class) can accommodate 56 people. The seats are arranged in pairs 2 + 2 and equipped with armrests, headrests, pull-out tables with cupholders, nets for newspapers and small wastebaskets.

In the center of the salon seats arranged vis-a-vis. Between them is folding table, on it is easy to work with a laptop. These sites primarily intended for people traveling in groups: families and groups of friends, colleagues and so on.

Above the rows of seats on aluminum brackets installed tempered glass shelfes for light things (luggage can be placed in special niches under the seats). Aluminium rim for preventing falling things from the shelves on the underside has a built-in personal lighting and speakers.

At one end of the salon is a special place with a mount for a wheelchair or a pram. Near the stairs located an area with garbage cans, and on the opposite is a spacious toilet cabin with a wide automatic sliding door for a wheelchair.

The salon on the second floor (1st class) can accommodate 40 people. First class seats are installed 2 + 1 with an increased step. Large panoramic windows don't limit the view upside and to the side, revealing a wonderful view over the mountain and the river valley. In addition to the equipment of the first floor, some chairs have headrests with improved lateral support, individual armrests and footrests for each passenger. The windows of each passenger have air heating system and built-in sunscreen.

The main advantages of the design solution:

1. Double-decker train with equal length and width to the common train has approximately 50% more capacity, thereby it reducing the length of the platform and save on the total area occupied by the station. In a similar capacity with common train, double-decker train has less weight. The number of bogies, couplers and other parts reduced.

2. Panoramic windows are an additional comfort element that provides an enjoyable and entertaining pastime of the trip.

3. Automatic control system reduces the intervals of movement and protect staff from monotonous and hard work.

4. The application of lightweight “bird cage” construction provides strength and security of the train, reducing weight and power consumption.

5. The installing of the wide arched single leaf doors makes easier passengers' boarding.

6. The installing of the special holders and automated electronic lockers solves the problem of placement for a large luggage.

The project was shortlisted in the international train interior design competition “Bombardier YouRail. Visions of Modern Transportation.” In 2010 the project was exhibited at the Bombardier stand at the largest railway exhibition InnoTrans in Berlin.

Art director of the Ippiart Studio Dmitry Nazarov at the the Bombardier stand.