FTD Fahrzeugtechnik Dessau PROTOS

After the turn of the millennium, the medium-sized company FTD Fahrzeugtechnik Bahnen Dessau GmbH developed a two-part, low-floor multiple unit for use in regional transport, which was characterized by its modular propulsion system. The basic idea was that different propulsion technology could be accommodated as a module in an otherwise uniform car body. It should be possible to operate several vehicles with different power sources together in multiple. The electric version initially offered was developed in cooperation with Vossloh Kiepe and was available for all four common electric systems in Europe.

After the prototype was presented in September 2006, the first and only order for five units was placed by the Dutch company Connexxion for the Valleilijn (valley line) between Amersfoort and Ede-Wageningen. The vehicles were built for the 1,500 volt direct current network in the Netherlands. While still the outer bogies were powered on the prototype, the production models hat the inner bogies powered. The prototype should later also be modified accordingly and delivered to Connexxion. However, this failed due to the insolvency of FTD and the subsequent sale to the Romanian CTF.