Inaugural run of the RE 47: Düssel-Wupper-Express returns to the rails
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posted on 3rd Jul 2026 08:32
On 30 June, 2026, the Line RE 47 was officially inaugurated with a maiden run of a BEMU. After three years, the important direct connection between Remscheid, Solingen, Hilden, and Düsseldorf returned to rail service, marking a significant milestone for regional public transport.
With the start of regular service on 1 July, the VRR (Verkehrsverbund Rhein-Ruhr) and Regiobahn are relying on new Mireo Smart Plus B trains from Siemens Mobility. The vehicles were provided in record time by Smart Train Lease, thanks to its innovative and standardized leasing model, which avoids high initial investments and significantly increases predictability and operational efficiency.
A new feature on the route is that from the evening hours onward, the trains will be staffed with two conductors. As a general rule, every journey is staffed with at least one train attendant, thus ensuring a significant increase in safety and service.
The Line RE 47 presents particular challenges: due to the Müngstener Brücke, continuous electrification is not feasible, thence the battery-electric trains used offer the ideal solution. This new technology thus makes a significant contribution to the transport revolution in the region. The electricity used already comes almost entirely from renewable energy sources.
The three new two-car, quiet, and low-emission BEMUs also ensure a significantly more comfortable journey and considerably less noise pollution for residents. Maintenance and servicing of the trains are carried out at the Siemens Mobility Rail Service Center in Dortmund.
Sven Wolf, Mayor of Remscheid, said: “For commuters from Remscheid, it is of paramount importance to finally be able to travel reliably and directly to Dortmund. The technical problems with the old trains and the bus substitution services have demanded a great deal of patience from us over the past three years and have been a real burden for many commuters in their daily lives. But today we are opening a completely new chapter. The fact that North Rhine-Westphalia's first battery-powered train is now running here in Remscheid sends a strong signal for our city and the entire Bergisches Land region."
