GV 90

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GV 90
AVGV90.jpg
Ruvelkan State Railway GV 90 in the Kurillas in winter.
In service1990 — present
ManufacturerRVR
Constructed1989 — 1994
Entered service11 November 1990
Number built308 vehicles (44 sets)
Formation7 cars per trainset
Capacity395
Operator(s)  Ruvelkan State Railway
Line(s) servedDebrecen-Székesfehérvár
Debrecen-Mátészalka
Debrecen-Hajdúböszörmény
Székesfehérvár-Aszód
Székesfehérvár-Derecske
Specifications
Car body constructionCorrugated stainless steel
Train length164.26 m (538 ft 11 in)
Car lengthPower cars: 17.6 m ( 57 ft 9 in)
Intermediate cars: 24.95 m (81 ft 10 in)
Width3.05 m (10 ft)
Height3.81 m (12 ft 6 in)
Floor height1.26 m (4 ft 2 in)
Maximum speed210 km/h (130 mph)
Weight391 tonnes (385 long tons; 431 short tons)
Power output3,260 kW (4,370hp)
Train heatingYes
Electric system(s)15 kV 16.7 Hz AC catenary
25 kV 40 Hz AC catenary
Current collection methodPantograph
Braking system(s)Power car: brake shoe on rim (air) and regeneratrive brake
Intermediate car: disc brake and magnetic brake
Coupling systemAutomatic
Track gauge1,435 mm (4 ft 9 in) standard guage

The GV 90, also called the AV GV 90, is a Ruvelkan electric tilting train operated by the Ruvelkan State Railway. Beginning operation in 1990, it is the flagship high-speed train of Ruvelka and was initially a first-class only line that connected the nation’s two largest cities of Debrecen and Székesfehérvár. The initial success of the GV 90 led the State Railway to expand it’s high-speed rail network which led to the introduction of second-class seats in 1993. Over the course of six years, the GV 90 lines later expanded to include the cities of Mátészalka, Hajdúböszörmény, Aszód, and Derecske with major depots in Debrecen and Székesfehérvár.

Six train sets of the GV 90 family played a critical role in evacuating civilians from Aszód during the early days of the Zemplen War, effectively running non-stop between Aszód and Székesfehérvár before the rail lines connecting Aszód to other cities were eventually destroyed. Two of the sets, which were strandend in the city after the rail lines were rendered inoperable, were destroyed during the siege of Aszód with the remaining four placed in storage in Székesfehérvár. After the war ended, the four surviving train sets, which had affectionately been nicknamed “lifelines” by those who rode them to escape, were permanently assigned to the Székesfehérvár-Aszód route with all four eventually taking up the names of Ruvelkan war heroes.

Beginning in 2011, the GV 90 rolling stocks underwent a refurbishment program which would significantly extend their service lifespans with the final unit returning to service in 2016.