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Old/Unusual Traction in Switzerland

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U-Bahnfreund

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Basel-Schaffhausen-Singen has the last diesel passenger trains in Switzerland. It's German line RE3 that passes through significant parts of Switzerland (funded entirely by Baden-Wurttemberg due to a 1852 treaty), using 612 DMUs or diesel locos and double-deck coaches. Also RB30 from Basel with 641 or 643 DMUs.

Not for long though, as the line will be electrified starting next year.
 

zuriblue

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Miha2te10

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As far as i know on swiss railways,the most common electric locomotive (series 420) itself is old,it was in production since 60s until 1985 ,they are being modernized though.
 
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43096

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As far as i know on swiss railways,the most common electric locomotive (series 420) itself is old,it was in production since 60s until 1985 ,they are being modernized though.
They are not being modernised. There were 30 modernised several years ago for use on peak Zürich S-bahn workings (420201-230). The rest are very much an endangered species now, with new units replacing them on passenger workings. On freight, SBB Cargo have 35 new Vectrons that are in part replacing them, with a big order of new locos from Stadler also now placed that are intended to eliminate them should all the options be taken up.
 
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geoffk

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They are not being modernised. There were 30 modernised several years ago for use on peak Zürich S-bahn workings (420201-230). The rest are very much an endangered species now, with new units replacing them on passenger workings. On freight, SBB Cargo have 35 new Vectrons that are in part replacing them, with a big order of new locos from Stadler also now placed that are intended to eliminate them should all the options be taken up.
The 420 class (Re 4/4) has been around much longer than the contemporary BR electric locos, as have, for example, the DB 110 class, as BR and its successors seem to have had difficulty finding enough work for them (sorry for the digression).
 
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