Liliput L133869 WESTbahn Stadler KISS 6-Car H0 AC Digital

Stadler KISS: High-Capacity Double-Deck Trains for Regional and Intercity Services

The Stadler KISS is a family of electric double-deck multiple-unit trains developed by Swiss railway manufacturer Stadler Rail. The name KISS is derived from the German Komfortabler Innovativer Spurtstarker S-Bahn-Zug, meaning “comfortable, innovative and powerful suburban train”.

Originally developed under the name “Stadler Dosto”, the new double-deck train was officially presented under the KISS name at InnoTrans in 2010. Its modular platform was designed to meet the requirements of high-capacity suburban, regional and intercity services.

Depending on the operator’s requirements, KISS trains can be configured with between three and eight cars and for maximum speeds of up to 200 km/h. Their lightweight aluminium construction, spacious double-deck interiors and low-floor entrances combine high passenger capacity with comfortable and efficient boarding. Air suspension, climate-controlled interiors and modern passenger-information systems further enhance passenger comfort.

WESTbahn KISS: Austria’s Modern Double-Deck Intercity Trains

WESTbahn was one of the earliest operators to order the Stadler KISS. Seven six-car trainsets were built for the Austrian operator’s long-distance services between Vienna and Salzburg and entered passenger service in December 2011. Designed for a maximum speed of 200 km/h, they combined the capacity of a double-deck multiple unit with the comfort and onboard facilities required for intercity travel.

Following several incidents in which door mountings became loose as trains passed one another at speed, the maximum operating speed was temporarily restricted to 160 km/h. The doors were subsequently modified and approved for operation at the trains’ intended maximum speed.

Each of the four intermediate cars featured a café area above one bogie and two toilets above the other. Car 400 was additionally equipped with a spacious universal toilet for passengers with reduced mobility. The driving end cars included seating groups arranged around large tables.

The Model

Liliput L133869 recreates the original six-car WESTbahn KISS unit 4010 003 in its 2012 operating condition, before subsequent modifications. All six cars carry their correct operating numbers and the CH-WSTBA vehicle keeper marking. The destination display shows “Salzburg”, with “Linz” indicated as the next station.

Model Highlights

• AC digital model with factory-fitted ESU LokPilot decoder
• Supports Marklin Motorola and mfx formats
• Two motors—one in each driving end car
• Flywheels and traction tyres
• Furnished interiors with factory-fitted interior lighting
• Current-conducting close couplers with close-coupling mechanism
• Three white headlights and two red taillights, changing with the direction of travel
• Switchable overhead-line (catenary) operation
• Switchable stop function
• 21-pin digital decoder interface
• Model can be upgraded with LokSound decoder and loudspeaker for full sound feartures
• Minimum operating radius: 360 mm
• Length over couplers: 1,730 mm

Compatibility note: Full functionality with Marklin M track cannot be guaranteed.