Search results

SBB has decided to retrofit the FV-Dosto trains manufactured by Alstom. The aim is to improve ride comfort and reliability. The FV-Dosto is already one of the most reliable trains in the fleet. Alstom developed the technical solution in collaboration with SBB. The roll compensation system will...

The 2 billion Swiss francs contract for 116 new double-decker trains for the S-Bahn in Zurich and western Switzerland has been awarded to Siemens Mobility. The trains will also be used for future service expansions. The procurement therefore includes an option for 84 additional vehicles. SBB...

I have a question regarding the recognition of train drivers' competencies when they work for several TOC, for example for personnel service providers. From my time as a train driver in mainland Europe, I remember how difficult it could be to get existing skills such as traction, regulations...

Following the rejection (thank you swiss voters) of the 2024 national road expansion and challenges in financing the 2035 railway service concept, UVEK commissioned ETH Zürich to prioritize around 500 infrastructure projects for the period 2025–2045. The full (german) document can be found here...

SBB published its half-year results for January to June 2025 today. I have compiled the most important figures: Profit amounts to CHF 48 million, weighed down by high maintenance costs and declining revenues in freight transport. In the first half of the year, 1.41 million passengers travelled...

I remembered taking the gondola lift to Aonach Mòr some time ago. Judging by the noise it made, I suspected it was a classic Doppelmayr construction with CWA cabins, a theory that was quickly confirmed by an internet search. The only deviations from the standard were the drive in the valley...

From January 1, 2025, traction current will come entirely from sustainable sources. Until now, it has consisted of 90 percent hydropower and 10 percent nuclear energy as well as a small proportion of photovoltaics. SBB operates the second-largest electricity grid in Switzerland, exclusively for...

Today was “Future Day” in Switzerland. On National Future Day, around 2,500 companies, organizations, schools and universities give interested pupils an insight into professions that are atypical for their gender. These included rail professions, whether in sales, as a guard or as a train...

The repair works in the Gotthard Base Tunnel were completed on time. Full operation of the entire system was resumed on September 2, 2024. A temporary speed restriction of 160 km/h remains in place at both tunnel portals on the north and south access. The speed restriction will remain in force...

SBB has ordered 11 new trains for the Seetal line between Lucerne and Lenzbug. The supplier is unsurprisingly Stadler, as it was the only company to submit a bid. The cost of the 11 trains is CHF 140 million. The speciality of the Seetal line is the limited clearance and the platforms, which...

The Rhaetian Railway officially opened the new 5860-metre-long Albula Tunnel into the Engadin with a big celebration. The structure replaces the previous 121-year-old tunnel. The Albula Tunnel has been at the heart of the rail link to the Upper Engadine, a Unesco World Heritage route, since...

After 60 years of service, it's time to retire. Slowly but surely, the time of the BLS Re425 “Bruneli” (“Brownie”) is ending. A short film shows once again the inner workings and function of the locomotive. Interesting also for me, who grew up on the “competition”, the SBB Re420. Despite the...

In February, I spent a few days in the hotel at Alp Grüm station on the Rhaetian Railway. As expected, the weather changed from "sunny" to "heavy snowfall" the moment I arrived. Nevertheless, here are some impressions of the long weekend in one of my favourite places. The snow blower with...

SBB's punctuality was maintained in 2023 compared to 2022. This was despite more travellers and more construction sites. A train is considered punctual if it arrives at the station less than three minutes late. Last year, 92.5 per cent of SBB passenger trains were on time. Details of the...

The Stadler RABe512 trains are in regular service since 10 December 2023. The RABe512 is a slightly modernised version of the RABe511. The main differences are the new front ends in accordance with the latest crash norm, ETCS Baseline 3 and improved bogies. As the vehicles will be used for...

The first vehicle in the FLIRT Evo fleet is in the final stages of production at Stadler. SBB has published a short Instagram clip about it. https://www.instagram.com/reel/C0JM6dBoMLI/ SBB is ordering 155 trains (with 174 as an option). They want to replace old Domino and Flirt combinations as...

Between November 6 and 17, the Braunwald funicular railroad between Linthal and Braunwald in Switzerland will be overhauled. As there is no suitable roadside connection, replacement transport will be provided by a helicopter shuttle. Normal tickets and season tickets are valid. A chance for all...

Today, the further railway expansion steps for the next few years were communicated in Switzerland. Mostly, these are only adaptations of already known projects. The most important adjustment is to the Lötschberg base tunnel. Instead of a further partial expansion as previously planned, the...

Official world record attempt

I'm currently planning a trip from Settle to Fort William on September 6th. nationalrail.co.uk tells me to travel via Haymarket with quite short connections in Lancaster and Haymarket: Journey Details: Settle (SET) to Hellifield (HLD), dep 07:29, arr 07:37 Train Company: Northern Mode of...