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hide options panelZB Class ABeh150, 160, 161
2 photos
updated : 2022-09-11
These 3 very similar designs of rack and adhesion EMU were built by Stadler for IR services from Luzern to Interlaken and introduced in 2012. The 160 and 161 are almost identical 3 car articulated units, while the 160 consists of two articulated but single ended 3-car units sandwiching an unpowered bistro car.
ZB Class ABe130
2 photos
updated : 2022-09-11
The ZB Class ABe130 is a 3-section articulated EMU of the Stadler SPATZ model introduced in 2004 and developed from the MGB BDSeh4/8 EMU. The 10 ZB units are adhesion only and used on local services on the flatter sections of the Brünigbahn, specifically Meiringen - Interlaken and Luzern - Giswil.
RhB Class ABe8/12
9 photos
updated : 2022-09-10
Introduced in 2010, The ABe8/12 EMUs took over services on the Chur- Arosa line and most trains on the Bernina and later between Landquart, Davos and Filisur. These dual voltage units are more powerful than anything else on the RhB and can sometimes be seen working freights.
RhB Class ABe4/4i
2 photos
updated : 2022-09-10
These motor coaches were originally built in 1908-11 for the electrification of the Berninabahn and rebuilt in 1946-53. They were made redundant when the ABe4/4iii arrived in the late 1980s but two have been retained for special trains and another three were kept for departmental use until 2016.
RhB class ABe4/4ii
26 photos
updated : 2022-09-09
Nine ABe4/4ii motor coaches were built for the Berninabahn between 1964 and 1972 and handled most services on the line until 2010, usually working in pairs hauling a number of coaches. The arrival of the ABe4/12s in 2010 rendered them surplus to requirements apart from three retained for departmental use.
RhB class ABe4/4iii
12 photos
updated : 2022-09-09
The six ABe4/4iii were built for the Berninabahn between 1988 and 1990 and are similar to the ABe4/4ii in appearance but quite different technically, with 3-phase AC drives. They are still in service but now carry advertising liveries which detract greatly from their appearance.
RhB Class ABe4/4
1 photo
updated : 2022-09-08
Four Class ABe4/4 motor coaches were introduced in 1939 for use on fast services to St Moritz and Davos but soon proved inadequate to meet the demand. They were relegated to lesser duties for the rest of their lives and withdrawn in 1999. One motor coach has been retained for special trains.
RhB Class Be4/4
5 photos
updated : 2022-09-08
The Be4/4 motor coaches were primarily used on suburban services around Chur and Landquart but could operate anywhere on the RhB's 11kV network. They were displaced from their usual suburban duties by new ABe4/16 units a few years ago but some remained available for use until late 2021.
MGB Class Deh4/4
5 photos
updated : 2022-09-08
This gallery covers 3 classes of metre-gauge, 11kV AC, rack and adhesion motor luggage vans. Classes Deh4/4, Deh4/4i and Deh4/4ii were built for the predecessors of the MGB in 1972-79. Of the 15 built, the 4 Deh4/4 are slated for early withdrawal but the others are due to be modernised.
Class RABe511
2 photos
updated : 2022-09-07
The Stadler built Class 511 double deck EMUs were introduced in 2011 and come in two versions, one for S-Bahn services around Zürich and the other for medium distance trains. The S-Bahn sets are all 6-car units but the medium distance variant also comes in a 4-car version. A total of 93 sets are in service.
Class RBe540
2 photos
updated : 2022-09-06
The Class 540 motor coaches were introduced in 1959 for use on fast trains in the flatter parts of Switzerland. They would normally operate with a few trailers and a driving trailer or sometimes with up to six trailers sandwiched between a pair of 540s. The last Class 540s were withdrawn in 2016.
FS Class ETR470
1 photo
updated : 2022-09-06
The ETR470 was a tilting EMU based on the Italian ETR460 but equipped to operate from Swiss 15kV AC in addition to Italian 3000V DC. The units were used on international services between Milan and Genéve, Basel and Zürich. They were unreliable and expensive to operate and withdrawn in 2014.
SNCF TGVs
1 photo
updated : 2022-09-06
TGVs have operate on several routes between Paris and Swiss destinations, including Basel, Genève, Lausanne and Zürich. The first services started in 1984 and various classes of TGV have been used since, including some equipped to use Swiss 15kV AC. The earliest sets have already been withdrawn.
DB Class 401
1 photo
updated : 2022-09-06
DB Class 401 units were introduced in 1989 and were the original ICE high speed EMUs, capable of 280km/h and usually formed of two power cars and 12 trailers. The class regularly visits Switzerland on through services from Germany routed via Basel. Swiss destinations include Interlaken.
Class RABe525, 535
4 photos
updated : 2022-09-05
Classes 525 and 535 are articulated EMUs built for BLS by Bombardier. The Class 525 "Nina" was introduced in 3-car sets for local services in 1998, with several later extended to 4-cars. Class 535 "Lötschberger" 4-car units followed for longer distance routes in 2008. Both types are used across the BLS network.
Class RABe503 (ETR610)
9 photos
updated : 2016-09-04
The ETR610 tilting EMU is a dual system version of the Italian ETR600, operated by SBB and Trenitalia on cross-border services. SBB class them as RABe503 but they all carry numbers in the Italian 610 series. Some can be found on domestic Swiss ICNs between Basel or Zürich and Lugano.
Class RABDe500
8 photos
updated : 2016-09-04
The SBB Class 500 tilting InterCity EMUs, also known as ICN units, are used on internal long distance services, mainly between Geneve or Lausanne and Basel or St.Gallen. They were used between Basel or Zürich and Lugano. The 44 7-car units are 15kV only and don't venture outside Switzerland.
Class RABe521 - 524, 526 - 528
6 photos
updated : 2016-08-25
Classes 521 to 524 are Stadler Flirt EMUs in service with SBB. The basic units are Class 523 with classes 521, 522, 524 fitted for cross-border work to Germany, France and Italy respectively. All are 4-car except for 11 6-car Class 524. Classes 526 to 528 are used by SOB, TRN and BLS respectively.
Class RBDe560 - 562, 565 - 568
9 photos
updated : 2016-07-21
These classes are, strictly speaking, single ended motor coaches dating from the 1980s that operate with varying numbers of trailers, not necessarily of a matching design. They can be found on local services operated by SBB and several independent operators, including BLS.
ZB Class De110
12 photos
updated : 2016-07-21
The De110 motor luggage vans were introduced in 1941 as Deh4/6 with rack gear and worked through services for decades. They were rebuilt from 1986 as adhesion only and used on local trains but returned to express duty on the Interlaken - Meiringen section for their last few years until withdrawal in 2013.
Switzerland is famed the world over for its beautiful alpine scenery and its excellent, punctual and well connected transport system. The railways are a real delight with a huge variety of gauges, railway companies, locomotives and liveries all running through the picturesque Swiss landscape.
