With several manufacturers already set to compete, Class 77 is Norske Tog’s upcoming commuter train. But the state-owned ROSCO of Norway is simultaneously making plans for an upgrade to its intercity fleet. The planned designation for these trains is Class 79.
Note that the featured picture of this article is of Norske Tog’s Class 75-2 – it has no relation to the future tender.
A periodic indicative notice published in the “Tenders electronic daily” (TED) supplement to the official journal of the EU indicates that Norske Tog is planning further fleet upgrades. This time the focus is on long-distance and regional trainsets. According to Norske Tog, these would be deployed on services between Norway’s major cities, as well as for intercity connections around Oslo and railway links to Sweden.
The notice also states that these new trains would be needed in operation from 2025. The estimated date of the publication of the contract notice (tender announcement) has been set to 30.10.2020.