Adtranz

Born	1 January 1996
Died	30 April 2001
Nationality	Multinational (German-Swiss)
Employer	ABB Daimler-Benz Transportation / DaimlerChrysler Rail Systems, UK operations at the former BREL works at Crewe and Derby Litchurch Lane

Biography

ADtranz (ABB Daimler-Benz Transportation) was a major European rail-traction manufacturer formed on 1 January 1996 by the merger of ABB Transportation and Daimler-Benz Transportation. It became DaimlerChrysler Rail Systems after the Daimler-Chrysler merger of 1998. Its UK operations centred on the former BREL works at Crewe and Derby Litchurch Lane.

UK products included the Class 323 EMU, the early Voyager and Pendolino main-line stock, and the Networker classes for Connex / Network South East. ADtranz was acquired by Bombardier Transportation in May 2001.

Locomotives designed

British Rail Class 168 Clubman — BR/Chiltern Class 168 "Clubman" — three- or four-car DMU built 1998–2006 by Adtranz/Bombardier Derby. 31 sets. Built specifically for Chiltern Railways' London Marylebone–Birmingham Snow Hill services. All still in service in 2026.
British Rail Class 168/2 — Subclass of Class 168 — see that entry.
British Rail Class 170 Turbostar — BR/Bombardier Class 170 "Turbostar" — two- or three-car DMU built 1998–2005 by Bombardier Derby. 152 sets. Standard regional DMU of the late 1990s and 2000s. Many in service in 2026 (CrossCountry, Greater Anglia, Northern, Scotrail, etc.).
British Rail Class 357 Electrostar — BR/c2c Class 357 "Electrostar" — four-car AC EMU built 1999–2002 by Adtranz/Bombardier Derby. 74 sets. Built for c2c London Tilbury & Southend services. Many still in service in 2026 with c2c.