The timeline

A chronological timeline of the introduction of our new trains (until mid-September 2023).

When did we order the new S-Bahn production series? When did construction start? And what about testing? Everything you need to know about the 483/484 series’ design, delivery, and production timeline.

April 2013
All active S-Bahn train series

Call for tender

The Berlin-Brandenburg Transport Association (VBB) puts out a public call for tender. The subject: operations of the entire S-Bahn Ring/Southeast subnetwork from 2021. This tender also encompasses the procurement of new vehicles.

December 2015
Introducing the new S-Bahn Berlin series look

Award of contract

S-Bahn Berlin is officially awarded the contract for operating the Ring/Southeast subnetwork. It thus remains the operator of Berlin’s ring route and south-eastern feeder lines until the end of 2035.

January 2016
Signing of the S-Bahn ring route contract

Signing the contract

Bahn representatives and politicians sign the Ring/Southeast subnet transport contract. The new transport contract encompasses transport services covering 9.7 million train kilometres per year – or almost a third of Berlin’s total S-Bahn network coverage.  

Based on this contract, the S-Bahn orders 382 new S-Bahn carriages. While some of these have already started service on the S47 line between Südkreuz and Spindlersfeld, the remaining 85 four-carriage units and 21 two-carriage units are scheduled to replace the old train stock on the S46 and S8 lines as well as the S41/S42 ring route by 2023. 

All vehicles are manufactured by a consortium of Siemens and Stadler. The two companies produce the new train stock in the Berlin-Brandenburg region as well as in Hungary where Stadler operates a specialist plant for railcar body production. Overall, the Bahn contract has an investment volume of 900 million euros.

October 2016
Mock-up of the new S-Bahn trains

Lab testing a model carriage

Ten months after the contract signing, the Schöneweide S-Bahn workshop welcomes a walkable, 1:1 scale model of the future carriages. While the carriage body is made from wood, the interior features mostly original parts, including seats, handrails, lighting, and floors. Some doors are fully functional and equipped with the required acoustic and visual signals. Other functions, like passenger information displays, service intercoms, and air conditioning, are modelled for the purpose. 

This mock-up is used for a four-week laboratory test featuring 400 representative passengers as well as representatives of stakeholder associations. Feature requests and ratings of the train’s exterior and interior design as well its facilities and functionalities are recorded by questionnaire. These results are factored into the new series’ ongoing development process. More than 2,000 would-be participants had applied to take part in this lab test. 

September 2017
Still under construction: the new S-Bahn Berlin body

Carriage body assembly

The new series’ very first red-and-ochre carriage body arrives on time in Berlin from Hungary. It is the lead carriage of a future, fully walkable four-carriage train. Final assembly takes place at the Stadler works in Berlin-Pankow. 

March 2018
The new S-Bahn Berlin passenger information system during testing.

Communications technology

On 6 March 2018, the new passenger information system (RIS) is officially previewed and demonstrated during a media workshop visit. The system features tried-and-tested technology that is already in use on ICE3 trains. 

Integrated into the upper part of the window, this system show passengers the train’s current route as a linear string. It also displays real-time information on arrival times at the respective stops. What’s more, the S-Bahn Berlin control centre can also use the new RIS for direct announcements inside the train.

April 2018
New S-Bahn trains awaiting assembly at the Berlin-Pankow Stadler plant.

Assembly

At the Stadler plant in Berlin-Pankow the painted carriage bodies are kitted out with fittings and furnishings: step by step, Siemens/Stadler technicians install insulation, complete the interior, and connect the train’s instrumentation and control technology. 

Now, the drive containers and their electronic equipment are installed, followed by train’s furnishing with seats and handrails. Finally, the vehicles are placed on bogies containing the traction motors. 

July 2018
The new S-Bahn trains will support the Ring/Southeast subnetwork from 2021

Commissioning

Although the first 484 series half train looks pretty much finished on leaving assembly, it is not yet ready to drive by itself. In a few days, it will be transferred to the Stadler site in Velten where final commissioning brings the train to life. 

September 2018
Visitors explore the bright, airy, and spacious new S-Bahn

Presentation at InnoTrans

Public debut: at the InnoTrans trade fair (18 – 23 September) curious Berliners get their very first peek of a new S-Bahn series half train.  
 

Autumn 2018
First 484 series half train

Test operation

Before the new trains are cleared for their debut test runs on the Berlin S-Bahn network, the carriages undergo thorough testing at the world‘s largest test centre for rail vehicles, the Siemens Mobility Test and Validation Center (PCW) at Wegberg-Wildenrath (North Rhine-Westphalia). Altogether, the new series completes 160,000 test kilometres. 

April 2019
So far, the trains have completed 2,000 of the planned approx. 160,000 test kilometres. Copyright: Konsortium Siemens Mobility and Stadler

Test drive for the media

During a test run at Wegberg-Wildenrath (North Rhine-Westphalia), members of the media get to experience the handling of the new S-Bahn first-hand. At this point, the trains have completed 2,000 of the planned approx. 160,000 test kilometres. Testing is scheduled to continue all the way into 2020. 

June 2019
Arrival at the Schöneweide workshop

Transfer to Schöneweide

On 12 June, a 483 series quarter train (train number 483 004) is transferred from the Velten Stadler plant to the Schöneweide S-Bahn workshop. Over the following weeks, train drivers get acquainted with the “new one“ during several tests and training sessions.

September 2019
The first new S-Bahn train starts its test run.

Test runs on Berlin’s S-Bahn tracks

Once development testing has concluded, the first new 483/484 series train embarks on a two-hour test drive (9 September) on Berlin’s S-Bahn network, soon followed by other trains. This also marks the launch of Berlin’s train stop testing program (a metal rail that triggers automatic breaking), which is required for the train’s official authorisation. 

October 2019
The new S-Bahn getting tested in the climatic chamber

End of climate channel testing

A four-carriage pre-production train completes its 12-week testing program at the world’s longest climatic wind tunnel of the Rail Tec Arsenal (RTA) in Vienna. Here, the train is exposed to extreme temperatures ranging from -25 degrees Celsius all the way up to +45 degrees Celsius. These tests are done to verify that doors continue to work and that gap reducers continue to extend and retract seamlessly even during strong snowfall or when the collectors ice over. 

March 2020
Already on track to be an eyecatcher - the new S-Bahn for Berlin.

50-hour stress test

From 27–30 March, two 483 series quarter trains undertake a 50+ hour marathon run on the ring route – covering a total of 1,850 kilometres. While a software error slows the train for a few minutes, this is fixed right away. At this point, 45 drivers have already received training on the new trains and are cleared to operate the new models.

May 2020
A sight for sore eyes! For its many test runs, our #NewSBahn has added a splash of colour and greets future passengers with slogans like “It’s me – your new ride”. The 483/484 series continues extensive testing until its official launch in 2021.

Round(s) of introduction

A new six-carriage S-Bahn train covered in colourful decals has been making the rounds in Berlin and Brandenburg since May, greeting future passengers with slogans like “It’s me, your new ride” or “Still in training”. This long-term test is scheduled to cover 40,000 kilometres of track or 800–1,000 kilometres a day.

August 2020

End of testing

New S-Bahn trial operations have come to an end. Altogether, the new series has completed 160,000 test kilometres.

October 2020
The new 483/483 series on a trial run

Cleared for service

In October 2020, the new trains receive official authorisation for passenger transport by Germany’s Federal Rail Authority. 

January 2021
Passing the baton

First field test in regular passenger service

Initial field testing commenced on 1 January. The first ten pre-production trains are trialled in regular passenger service on the S47 line between Spindlersfeld and Hermannstraße.

August 2021
Die neue S-Bahn an der Haltestelle Oberspree

Field test successfully completed

The first ten pre-production trains have successfully completed their passenger trial run on the S47. The pre-series trains are now starting regular service.

 

July 2022
Ein neuer S-Bahnzug der Baureihe 484 steht am Bahnsteig, dahinter eine Baureihe 485. fährt von nun an auf der S46.

Launch on the S46

Since 28 June 2022, further trains are serving the S46 line between Königs Wusterhausen and Westend. 

October 2022
Prominente Gäste beim Start der neuen S-Bahn auf der S8: Verkehrsstaats- sekretär Rainer Genilke, Berlins Regierende Bürgermeisterin Franziska Giffey und S-Bahn-Chef Peter Buchner (von links).

Launch on the S8

Since 14 October 2022, further trains have joined the active fleet on the S8 line between (Wildau-)Grünau and Birkenwerder. On the first day, Berlin's Governing Mayor Franziska Giffey and Brandenburg's State Secretary for Transport Rainer Genilke did not miss the opportunity to take a look inside the driver's cab.

December 2022
Zwei S-Bahnen der Baureihe nebeneinander mit Ringbahn-Beschilderung

Launch on the S41, S42

Much earlier than planned, the new S-Bahn has also been in operation on the S41 and S42 ring railway lines since 11 December 2022, as the manufacturers Stadler and Siemens Mobiliy progressed with production faster than planned.

September 2023
The last train of the new class 483/484 was ceremoniously put into service on 18.09.2023.

Our new series is complete!

The scheduled delivery of the 106th and last vehicle is celebrated by representatives from politics, business, VBB and S-Bahn Berlin at Charlottenburg S-Bahn station.