NSB Signatur

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NSB Signatur was a brand name created by Norges Statsbaner (NSB) for their express train service in Norway on Bergensbanen, Sørlandsbanen and Dovrebanen. The brand was applied to the then 16 brand new BM 73 electric multiple units delivered to NSB. Signatur trains were painted blue and silver, but the brand name was only in use from about 1999 to 2005.

[edit] Background

When NSB ordered a massive amount of new rolling stock in the mid 1990s, replacing their old locomotive and car trains with multiple units, they created three distinct brands for their service; the green Puls was the brand for local trains, the red Agenda for the regional trains and the blue Signatur for the express trains.

The new express trains, BM 73 were delivered in 1998 and 1999. The new trains were to replace the old locomotive and car that were operating on the main lines at the time. The units were equipped with tilting train technology to allow higher speeds on the old tracks at the same time as they had a maxium speed of 210 km/h to fully utilise the high-speed railway Gardermobanen. Techni AS was contracted for the complete development of the interior of this train including seats, floor-/wall-/ ceiling panels, lighting and more (excluding the children's department)