abrdn Core Infrastructure and Rock Rail have announced their first European investment in electric trains fleet for the Main-Weser Network in Germany.

The new electric fleet will comprise 17 multiple train units based on the Coradia Stream train platform delivered by Alstom. It consists of 13 four-car and 4 five-car units. The four-car variant has 420 seats overall and consists of two double-deck control cars and two single-deck center cars. There are 540 seats in all on the five-car version, which also incorporates a center double-deck car. The fleet will start operating in December 2024, and DB Regio will initially have a 14-year lease on it with the possibility of an additional one.

The deal is funded by abrdn’s second Core Infrastructure Fund, SL Capital Infrastructure II (SLCI II) which is a sustainable fund targeting long-term investment in sectors like solar farms, district heating and energy storage business across different countries of Europe. MEAG served as the sole arranger of the entire senior debt financing for the transaction.