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hide options panelSBB Infrastruktur
2 photos
updated : 2022-09-11
SBB Infrastruktur is responsible for the SBB network, from timetabling trains and controlling movements to maintaining the bridges, tunnels and permanent way and managing new construction. The company employs a number of diesel locos on engineering and tunnel fire fighting trains.
ZB Zentralbahn
17 photos
updated : 2022-09-11
The Zentralbahn was formed from the merger of the SBB owned 74km long Brünigbahn and the 34km Luzern-Stans-Engelberg Bahn in 2005. Both railways are metre-gauge with some rack sections and share the same line for the first 9km from Luzern to Hergiswil, where they split. .
RhB Rhätischebahn
302 photos
updated : 2022-09-10
The Rhätischebahn operates a large electrified metre gauge system in the Canton of Graubünden. Its lines run through spectacular Alpine scenery, linking upmarket resorts to the SBB system at Landquart and Chur. Most passenger trains are still locomotive hauled and there is some freight traffic.
MGB
12 photos
updated : 2022-09-08
The Furka Oberalp and Brig Visp Zermatt railways merged to form the Matterhorn Gotthard Bahn in 2003. Both lines are metre gauge, electrified at 11kV 16.67Hz AC and have rack sections in places. The main line from Zermatt to Disentis is 141km long and the branch from Andermatt to Göschenen is 4km.
TrenItalia
6 photos
updated : 2022-09-07
TrenItalia is the Itailan national operator, previously known as FS. SBB and FS have co-operated on passenger services between Switzerland and Italy for many years and operate a jointly owned fleet of Class ETR610 / RABe 503 tilting EMUs on services from Milan to Zürich and Basel.
Railpool
1 photo
updated : 2022-09-07
Railpool is one of the larger German locomotive leasing companies with a fleet of modern Bombardier TRAXX and Siemens Vectron locomotives equipped for operation over much of the European network. Many of its locos carry a silver and blue livery but others are painted in the colours of their operators.
railCare
1 photo
updated : 2022-09-07
railCare is a Swiss open access freight operator owned by the Coop. It operates intermodal trains on a number of routes connecting most parts of Switzerland with its Schafisheim hub, near Lenzburg. For several years the company used BLS Class 465s on its trains but now has 7 Class 476 Vectrons.
SBB
96 photos
updated : 2022-09-07
SBB operates passenger trains on the Swiss standard gauge network, with a few exceptions. Many long distance trains are still loco hauled but EMUs are rapidly taking over. Older locos and traditional stock can still be found on a few trains. Local services are mainly operated by EMUs.
ÖBB
1 photo
updated : 2022-09-07
ÖBB is the Austrian national operator. Its trains have run from the border station of Buchs to Zürich, sometimes to Basel, for many years. The 4010 sets of the 1960s and 1970s and the current Railjets have brought ÖBB motive power to Swiss rails. Conventional passengers and freights usually change locos at Buchs.
SBB Historic
1 photo
updated : 2022-09-06
SBB Historic owns and maintains a number of historic locos and items of rolling stock. It's fleet includes examples of many different classes of steam and electric locos and motor coaches dating back over a century. Many locos are kept in working order for use on special trains across the Swiss network.
SNCF
1 photo
updated : 2022-09-06
SNCF, the French national operator, runs passenger trains over the border to Basel SBB and Genéve Cornavin but the only services to travel further are the through TGVs between Paris and Zürich or Lausanne. BB37000 work freights to Muttenz (Basel) and Lausanne Triage yards but rarely any further.
SOB
4 photos
updated : 2022-09-06
SOB has expanded from operating the Arth-Goldau to Rapperswil route, plus a couple of branches, to running the whole Voralpen express route from Luzern to Romanshorn and, more recently, Inter-Regio services from Basel and Zürich over the Gotthard to Locarno. All SOB services are now worked by EMUs.
DB
1 photo
updated : 2022-09-06
DB or Deutsche Bahn, is Germany's state railway and operates passenger and freight trains across Germany. DB co-operates with SBB on through passenger services between the two countries, with DB stock working well into Switzerland and vice-versa. DB uses Class 401 ICEs on most services.
BLS Cargo
13 photos
updated : 2016-09-04
BLS Cargo has evolved into an international freight operator, handling block trains all over Switzerland and into neighbouring countries. It still rosters Class 425 and 465 electrics at home but also has a number of modern multi-system Traxx and Vectron locos for international services.
SBB Cargo
63 photos
updated : 2016-09-04
SBB Cargo is the freight arm of Switzerland's national operator, split off in 1999, and operates the wagonload and block trains in Switzerland and abroad. Many trains are still operated by 1960s vintage locos of classes Re4/4ii (420) and Re6/6 (620) with SBBC's more modern locos being used abroad.
DB Cargo
6 photos
updated : 2016-09-04
DB Cargo operates freight trains in Switzerland using a fleet of class 185 (Bombardier Traxx) electrics fitted with Swiss pantographs and signalling equipment. Since these pictures were taken, DB has dissolved its partnership with BLS and now operates its trains in conjunction with SBB.
Crossrail
6 photos
updated : 2016-09-04
CrossRail specialised in long distance transit freight between Belgium and Italy via the Lötschberg and Gotthard routes using a fleet of German registered Bombardier Traxx electrics. Crossrail ceased operating in Switzerland in 2017 and its Belgian operations were acquired by BLS Cargo in 2019.
BLS
15 photos
updated : 2016-07-21
BLS passenger operations are centred on Bern and the company operates most local services in Canton Bern as well as longer distance routes east to Luzern, west to Neuchatel and to Brig via the Lötschberg line. Most services are operated by EMUs but there were still a few loco hauled trains until recently.
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.
