CAF Oaris

History

After four years of development supported by CDTI, CAF announced the Oaris platform in May 2010 with a full-scale mock-up at the International Rail Forum 2010 in Valencia. A 4-car prototype with 216 seats began assembly in September 2010; Renfe reserved the class 105 for it. On January 14, 2011, CAF announced the prototype was finished and would undergo dynamic tests in early 2011. In December 2011, the four-car prototype reached 352 km/h during trials on the Madrid to Sevilla route.

In spring 2013, the prototype received homologation from the Brazilian Rail Industry Association (ABIFER), allowing CAF to offer trains for the proposed Rio de Janeiro–São Paulo high-speed rail connection. Test runs for homologation in Spain occurred in 2013; in October 2013 company sources said the approval process was in final stages and within months ready for operation. In March 2015, Norwegian airport train operator Flytoget ordered eight 4-car trainsets (maximum speed 250 km/h) to supplement their fleet on the Drammen–Oslo–Gardermoen Airport service, allowed to run at 210 km/h on the line from June 2021; they became Class 78.

In June 2019, CAF presented Oaris as passenger trains for HS2 among five manufacturers selected to tender. The Flytoget trainsets were withdrawn from service after 19 days of operation in June 2021 due to cracks in the chassis, then resumed service in January 2023.

Technical details

The Oaris is a non-articulated electric multiple unit with distributed traction, allowing formations of 4, 6, or 8 cars. Each car has one powered bogie with electric motors on both wheelsets and one unpowered bogie. The power system is designed to work with all four main overhead electrification standards across Europe. Running gear has been developed for standard gauge, Iberian gauge, and variable gauge.

Bodyshells are aluminium. Driving end cars are 26,780 mm long, middle cars 24,780 mm, and an 8-car set measures 202.24 m. Each motor delivers 660 kW, giving total power of 5,280 kW in the 4-car, 7,920 kW in the 6-car, and 10,560 kW in the 8-car configuration. Design speed is 350 km/h, with a service top speed of 320 km/h.

Did You Know?

• The 4-car prototype reached 352 km/h during trials on the Madrid to Sevilla route in December 2011.
• Flytoget's Class 78 trainsets were withdrawn after only 19 days of service in June 2021 due to chassis cracks.