DR1A units around Vilnius.

[Richard Scott]

Would anyone know what the DR1A units work around Vilnius please?
Thanks in advance

 

[Class172]

When I visited last autumn the line out towards Ignalina and Turmantas was operated by them—certainly every service I saw headed that direction was.

 

[Richard Scott]

When I visited last autumn the line out towards Ignalina and Turmantas was operated by them—certainly every service I saw headed that direction was.

Thanks, that's really helpful.

 

[SandsofEss]

Deleted - incorrect advice based on wrong city

 

[ricohallo]

Based on my own observations during my two trips there this year and last year they work all trains on the line Vilnius - Ignalina - Turmantas and some trains on the line Vilnius - Varėna - Marcinkonys.

 

[Tinginys]

Like others said, it's Vilnius-Turmantas and Vilnius-Marcinkonys/Varėna. They do run some other trains (Pesa 630 and perhaps 620) so it's not guaranteed that it will always be a DR1 but perhaps the easiest way to know for sure is to look for this message when searching for tickets on bilietas.ltglink.lt website. As you might suspect DR1As don't have air conditioning while most other trains in Lithuania do.

Example

 

[Richard Scott]

Like others said, it's Vilnius-Turmantas and Vilnius-Marcinkonys/Varėna. They do run some other trains (Pesa 630 and perhaps 620) so it's not guaranteed that it will always be a DR1 but perhaps the easiest way to know for sure is to look for this message when searching for tickets on bilietas.ltglink.lt website. As you might suspect DR1As don't have air conditioning while most other trains in Lithuania do.

Example
View attachment 207289

Thanks, that's really useful.

 

[class387]

I'd add that although most internet photos show heavily refurbished units, at least some of LTG's DR1As remain in a much more original, unmodernised condition. I have no idea how many, but they seem to work in a common pool with the modernised ones.

 

[Richard Scott]

Did manage to pick up 4 sets but stupidly lost my notes, have a few photos so can get one car number per unit but unsure of whole set formations. I don't think they stay in same formation so if anyone has any current formations it would be appreciated.
Did have a 2 car set that seemed unrefurbished as still had vinyl seats and have no record of that, any ideas on identification? Potentially was 318.3?
Thanks for any info.

 

[Segedunum]

Did manage to pick up 4 sets but stupidly lost my notes, have a few photos so can get one car number per unit but unsure of whole set formations. I don't think they stay in same formation so if anyone has any current formations it would be appreciated.
Did have a 2 car set that seemed unrefurbished as still had vinyl seats and have no record of that, any ideas on identification? Potentially was 318.3?
Thanks for any info.

This Russian website seems to confirm it's some iteration of DR1A-318: https://railgallery.ru/railcar/23630/?&lang=en

 

[Richard Scott]

This Russian website seems to confirm it's some iteration of DR1A-318: https://railgallery.ru/railcar/23630/?&lang=en

Thanks, that's definitely the interior, seems unit is 318.1 and 318.4, which I vaguely remember to be the formation.
Now to sort other 3 out! If anyone can help then one unit had 289.3, another was 300.1 (if my memory is correct other end was 276.1?) and final one was 280.4.
Thanks in advance, I may be clutching at straws here, serves me right for my own carelessness and losing my notes.

 

[Tinginys]

I may be mistaken, but I believe I read that some DR1 coaches were acquired separately from Latvian Railways in their original condition (possibly in the early 2000s?). That would explain some of the unmodernized interiors, which remained common in Latvia until very recently. Separately, some modernized DR1AM units retain what used to be first class from the era when DR1A units served the Vilnius–Minsk route before ~2013, when Pesa 630Ms were introduced.

What worries me now is that the DR1AMs days may be coming to an end. LTG have not been very clear about the fate of the DR1AM fleet once all Stadlers enter service and other trains, primarily Pesa 730MLs, are reassigned to routes currently served by DR1AMs. My understanding is that some DR1AMs will be scrapped while a few may remain in service or be kept in reserve, but the situation is unclear. There have been several complaints and negative media articles in Lithuania about “bad and uncomfortable trains without air conditioning,” and some passengers blaming DR1AMs for poor accessibility when the real issue is nonstandard low platform heights rather than the trains themselves. All DR1AMs are modernized (the 'M' in the designation) with MTU engines, and some have Voith transmissions (designated DR1AMv). They could probably stay in service for quite a few more years and maybe undergo yet another light refurbishment.

 

[Gag Halfrunt]

Would donating them to Ukraine be a possibility?

(I know that they would have to be moved by road. My question is more political.)

 

[Tinginys]

Would donating them to Ukraine be a possibility?

(I know that they would have to be moved by road. My question is more political.)

I'm not sure if Ukraine needs them or if this would make much sense anyway. Unless of course Ukraine is really short of rolling stock and DR1AMs is something they really need (which I doubt). It's just that they could probably be useful in Lithuania for some more years, especially since LTG have been consistently 'short of rolling stock' for the past couple of decades. Unless they buy all of the contract options (roughly another 15 units) of the Stadler order, all existing DR1AMs could stay in service, and indeed be very useful, for another ~10 years or so if maintained properly.

 

[superalbs]

I'm not sure if Ukraine needs them or if this would make much sense anyway. Unless of course Ukraine is really short of rolling stock and DR1AMs is something they really need (which I doubt). It's just that they could probably be useful in Lithuania for some more years, especially since LTG have been consistently 'short of rolling stock' for the past couple of decades. Unless they buy all of the contract options (roughly another 15 units) of the Stadler order, all existing DR1AMs could stay in service, and indeed be very useful, for another ~10 years or so if maintained properly.

Even if Ukraine didn't need extras, I'd expect these LTG ones are probably in far better mechanical condition. Some of the Ukrainian DMUs are clearly struggling.

Moldova would also be a shout, as they're currently struggling to keep their battered D1s alive, though I think Moldova has other problems with running its railways too.