Train destroyed by fire in Berlin

[Taunton]

Apparently at Ahrensfelde, a suburban station north of Berlin and end of the S-Bahn S7 line, a diesel train, I am guessing one of the NEB railcar sets used on the peripheral RB25 line, was completely destroyed by fire. Video here:

https://www.tiktok.com/video/7433580833962839339

 

[AndrewE]

That is astonishing... I thought that after our Taunton sleeper fire (and one in an ex-LMS EMU at West Kirby or somewhere like that) the flammability of train interior materials was strictly limited?

 

[The exile]

That is astonishing... I thought that after our Taunton sleeper fire (and one in an ex-LMS EMU at West Kirby or somewhere like that) the flammability of train interior materials was strictly limited?

Niederbarnimer Eisenbahn 643.14 apparently. Suspicions of arson.

 

[AndrewE]

Niederbarnimer Eisenbahn 643.14 apparently. Suspicions of arson.

but even an incendiary device with extra accelerant shouldn't be able to turn a train into a raging inferno like that...

 

[Beebman]

Video of a news report on the fire from regional broadcaster RBB:

 

[The exile]

That is astonishing... I thought that after our Taunton sleeper fire (and one in an ex-LMS EMU at West Kirby or somewhere like that) the flammability of train interior materials was strictly limited?

Maybe another answer to “why is everything so expensive in this country?”!

 

[AndrewE]

Maybe another answer to “why is everything so expensive in this country?”!

I suspect a train completely written off (and the damage to the OLE) is probably going to be a lot more expensive than making it from materials less vulnerable to fire in the first place... Good job it didn't happen in a tunnel

 

[dosxuk]

but even an incendiary device with extra accelerant shouldn't be able to turn a train into a raging inferno like that...

Even fire resistant materials will burn when exposed to a sustained flame for long enough. The idea of using them is more about giving people enough time to escape before it turns into an inferno, rather than preventing it from burning at all.

The restrictions on materials used in aircraft are even more stringent, and yet...

 

[The exile]

I suspect a train completely written off (and the damage to the OLE) is probably going to be a lot more expensive than making it from materials less vulnerable to fire in the first place... Good job it didn't happen in a tunnel

No OLE at Ahrensburg (IIRC) and the replacement stock is currently awaiting certification, so in this case possibly not.

 

[duesselmartin]

That is astonishing... I thought that after our Taunton sleeper fire (and one in an ex-LMS EMU at West Kirby or somewhere like that) the flammability of train interior materials was strictly limited?

I do believe fire safety (when it comes to non-flamable material) in the UK are the strictest in Europe if not beyond.

 

[merry]

Materials standards in modern build trains are governed by EN45545:2021 ( and older versions back to 1990s) which puts some strict controls on flammability of all materials (strictest for underground use especially with limited means of escape, and sleepers, than for above ground use only). But older stock will not be as resistant, and some Berlin S bahn stock did look a bit dated on my visit this year...i assumed it was older.
And as noted by others, the intent is to allow safe escape, not stop fire altogether.
The only way to (almost) totally avoid fire is only have bare metal finishes on everything, even seats, no paint, plastics or padding or anything else soft inside. Even then light fittings, wiring, electronics, suspension, seals, lubricant etc have to use some slightly flammable (insulating) items. So all useable trains will burn if you really try...

 

[Richard Scott]

Even fire resistant materials will burn when exposed to a sustained flame for long enough. The idea of using them is more about giving people enough time to escape before it turns into an inferno, rather than preventing it from burning at all.

The restrictions on materials used in aircraft are even more stringent, and yet...

Part of problem with aircraft is the fuselage will burn, not usually an issue with trains although there are some made of lots of GRP or similar.