Stadler unveils new FLIRT train models for Norway and the US

Swiss manufacturer Stadler is expanding its FLIRT train platform with new specialized models for the Norwegian and North American markets.

At the InnoTrans exhibition in Berlin, Stadler debuted the FLIRT Nordic Express, an electric multiple unit (EMU) designed specifically for Norske tog in Norway. Built to withstand extreme climates, the aluminum-bodied train is rated for temperatures between -40 °C and +35 °C and features snow ploughs, underfloor heating, and reinforced thermal insulation. Norske tog has ordered 17 eight-car trains in a contract valued at over NOK 8 billion (€710.3 million), with deliveries expected to begin in 2028 for use on the Oslo–Bergen route.

In North America, Stadler is developing a battery-electric version of the FLIRT for Metra, the commuter rail operator in Chicago. Scheduled for presentation at the APTA EXPO 2026, these units will utilize onboard lithium-ion batteries to allow for emission-free operation on non-electrified tracks. Metra has ordered eight battery-powered units, which are expected to enter service by 2028. The technology supports sustainability goals by allowing modernization without requiring full track electrification.