Swiss Electric Multiple Units

SBB new generation Pendolino units were originally acquired to cooperation Cisalpino which shared the ownership between SBB in Switzerland and Trenitalia in Italy. Due to long discussed difficulty of the Italian party to maintain the Pendolinos, the cooperation was finally dissolved in 2011. After the split half of the trains ended up to both parties and since the SBB units have since been painted to traditional red-white-black SBB colors.

The ETR-610 train units are of newer design and not plagued numerous problems with its predecessor ETR-470. The highest speed has now been raised to 250 km/h (155 Mph).


Technical details for ETR 610 of SBB
-> Type/class: ETR 610 (multivoltage new generation Pendolino)    
-> Usage: international high speed traffic  
-> Builder: Alstom in Italy    
-> Operators: SBB AG of Switzerland
-> Production dates: 2007 - 2011    
-> Numbers built:  ? ~10
   
-> Seen: mainly on the routes between Switzerland and Italy  
-> Number series:

-> Configuration: 7 cars
-> Seats: 432
    - First class: 126
    - Second class: 306
    - Restaurant car:
    - Folding seats:

-> Energy Source: overhead electricity, 3000V DC + 15kV 16,66 Hz AC + 25kV 50 Hz
-> Power output: 5500kW (7400 Hp)
-- 8 x 687 kW
-> Tractive Effort: 225 kN continuous
-> Braking effort on traction motors (dynamic braking): unknown   
-> Maximum operational speed where possible: 250 km/h (155 mph) 
-> Multiple drive: yes
-> Wheel arrangement: Bo'Bo'+Bo'Bo'+2'2'+2'2'+2'2'+Bo'Bo'+Bo'Bo'

-> Wheel diameter: mm
-> Tilting: electro-hydraulic

-> Length: 187,4 m 
-> Height: m
-> Width: 2,83 m
-> Gauge: 1435 mm

-> Weight: 421 metric tons (,000 lb), empty 387 tons
-> Max. axle load: 16,5 metric tons
-> Power to weight ratio: 13,0

-> Train control: ERTMS, SCMT, ZUB, LZB, PZB, SIGNUM

-> Special:
-- most unit have been painted the SBB red-white-black.

The class RABDe 500 tilting EMUs are very common in Swiss long distance traffic. Many units have been taped for advertising or entertainment purposes.


Technical details for RABDe 500 ICN
-> Type/class: RABDe 500   
-> Usage: regional and interregional fast transportation 
-> Builder: Bombardier/Adtranz, Oerlikon and Pratteln, Alstom/Fiat-SIG
-> Design: Pininfarina    
-> Operators: SBB of Switzerland
-> Production dates: 1999 - 2005    
-> Numbers built:  44,
    - first serie 00 - 23
    - second serie 24 - 43
   
-> Seen: mainly on the routes within Switzerland  
-> Number series: 500 000 - 043

-> Seats: 477 (7 modules)
    - First class: 125,
    - Second class: 322,
    - Restaurant car: 20,
    - Folding seats: 6

-> Energy Source: overhead electricity, 15kV 16,66 Hz AC
-> Engine:  
-> Power output: 5200kW ( Hp)
-> Tractive Effort: 210 kN continuous
-> Braking effort on traction motors (dynamic braking): unknown 
-> Tilting: yes
 
-> Multiple drive: yes, typically 2 units
-> Wheel arrangement: 1A'A1'+1A'A1'+2'2'+2'2'+2'2'+1A'A1'+1A'A1'  
-> Wheel diameter: mm

-> Maximum operational speed where possible: 200 km/h (124 mph) 

-> Length: 188,8 m 
-> Height: 3,95 m
-> Width: 2,83 m

-> Weight: 355 metric tons (,000 lb)
-> Power to weight ratio: 14,6

-> Special:
- The units are named as follows:
-- 500 000: Le Corbusier
-- 500 001: Jean Piaget
-- 500 002: Annemarie Schwarzenbach
-- 500 003: Madam de Staël
-- 500 004: Mani Matter
-- 500 005: Johann Heinrich Pestalozzi
-- 500 006: Johanna Spyri

Class RABe 523 of SBB AG is a typical Flirt train (Fast Light Innovative Regional Train). This electric multiple unit consists of two powered driving modules and 2 intermediate modules, all of which are 98% low floored for faster access and alighting. You can walk through the 55 cm high train with steps only at the ends over the bogies.


Technical details for RABe 523 of SBB
-> Type/class: RABe 523, 4 module Flirt EMU
-> Usage: Stadtbahn Zug, Lausanne RER  
-> Builder: Stadler    
-> Operators: SBB AG
-> Production dates: 2004 - , 2007 -    
-> Numbers built: 24

-> Seen: SBB routes near Zug and Lausanne  
-> Number series: 523 001 - 523 024

-> Seats: 169
    - First class: 20
    - Second class: 138
    - Folding seats: 11
-> Standing capacity: around 300

-> Energy Source: overhead electricity, 15kV 16,66 Hz AC
-> Power output:
-- momentary: 2600 kW ( Hp)
-- continuous: 2000 KW ( Hp)
-> Tractive Effort: 200 kN start
-> Braking effort on traction motors (dynamic braking): unknown   
-> Multiple drive: up to 4 units
-> Wheel arrangement: Bo'2'2'2'Bo' 

-> Wheel diameter:
    - Powered: 860 mm
    - Nonpowered: 750 mm
-> Tilting: -

-> Maximum operational speed: 160 km/h (100 mph) 

-> Length: 74,1 m 
-> Height: 4,15 m
-> Width: 2,88 m

-> Weight: 120 metric tons (,000 lb)
-> Max. axle load: metric tons
-> Power to weight ratio: 21,6 (excellent)

-> Train control:

-> Special:

A very common sight in the Zürich local traffic is the class 514 EMU of SBB AG.


Technical details for RaBe 514
-> Type/class: RaBe 514, 4 module double decked EMU
-> Usage: Zurich local traffic  
-> Builder: Siemens / SKV / Stadler    
-> Operators: SBB AG of Switzerland
-> Production dates: 2005 - 2009    
-> Numbers built: 61
   
-> Seen: mainly on the S-Bahn routes around Zurich, Switzerland  
-> Number series: 514 001 - 514 061 (unlike most rolling stock the numbering starts with 1 not 0 here)

-> Seats: 378
    - First class: 74
    - Second class: 304
    - Folding seats:

-> Energy Source: overhead electricity, 15kV 16,66 Hz AC
-> Power output: 3200kW ( Hp)
-> Tractive Effort: 240 kN continuous
-> Braking effort on traction motors (dynamic braking): unknown   
-> Multiple drive: yes
-> Wheel arrangement: Bo'Bo'+2'2'+2'2'+Bo'Bo' 

-> Wheel diameter: 920 mm
-> Tilting: -

-> Maximum operational speed where possible: 140 km/h (87 mph) 

-> Length: 100,0 m 
-> Height: 4,6 m
-> Width: 2,78 m

-> Weight: 225 metric tons (,000 lb)
-> Max. axle load: metric tons
-> Power to weight ratio: 14,2

-> Train control:

-> Special:

The new emerging class for the SBB AG will be RABe 511. These double decked trains have added much needed capacity to the Zürich local traffic from 2012 onwards.


Technical details for RaBe 511
-> Type/class: RaBe 511, 4 module double decked EMU
-> Usage: Zurich local traffic  
-> Builder: Stadler Altenrhein AG   
-> Operators: SBB AG of Switzerland, RegioExpress
-> Production dates: 2011 -    
-> Numbers built: a few (50 6 module + 24 4 module trains)

-> Seen: mainly on the S-Bahn routes around Zürich, Switzerland  
-> Number series: 511 001 - 511 050, 511 xx1 - 511 xx4

-> Seats: 527
   -- First class: 112 (some sources say 120)
   -- Second class: 415
   -- Folding seats: 0
-> Standing capacity: 846 / 1168

-> Floor height, entrance: 570 mm

-> Energy Source: overhead electricity, 15kV 16,66 Hz AC
-> Power output: 4000 kW ( Hp), momentary 6000 kW ( Hp)
   -- 8 x 750 kW
-> Tractive Effort: 400 kN starting
-> Braking effort on traction motors (dynamic braking): unknown   
-> Multiple drive: up to 4 units within class
-> Wheel arrangement: Bo'Bo'+2'2'+2'2'+2'2'+2'2'+Bo'Bo' 

-> Wheel diameter: 920 mm
-> Tilting: -

-> Maximum operational speed where possible: 160 km/h (100 Mph) 

-> Length: 150,0 m 
-> Height: 4,6 m
-> Width: 2,8 m
-> Gauge: 1435 mm

-> Weight: 297,7 metric tons (,000 lb)
-> Max. axle load: metric tons
-> Power to weight ratio: 20 (impressive figure!)

-> Train control: Swiss

-> Special:
  -- bright passenger friendly area for passengers
  -- spacious boarding areas with 1400 mm wide double doors
  -- airconditioning throughout the train
  -- restroom suitable for people with difficulty to move
  -- air suspension on bogies for comfortable ride
  -- train bus for computer control of the vehicle(s)

Operator: SBB/CFF
Builder: SLM, ABB, SIG
Units: 115
Usage: Zürich local traffic .


Technical details
-> Type/class: Re450 headed virtual EMU with double decked stock and a dricving trailer.
-> Usage: Zurich local traffic  
-> Builder: SLM, SBB, SIG    
-> Operators: SBB of Switzerland
-> Production dates: 1989 - 1997   
-> Numbers built: 115
-> Numbers in use: 115

-> Seen: mainly on the S-Bahn routes around Zurich, Switzerland  
-> Number series: (450) 000 - (450) 114

-> Seats:
    - First class:
    - Second class:
    - Folding seats:

-> Energy Source: overhead electricity, 15kV 16,66 Hz AC
-> Power output: 3200kW ( Hp)
-> Tractive Effort: kN continuous
-> Braking effort on traction motors (dynamic braking): unknown   
-> Multiple drive:
-> Wheel arrangement: Bo'Bo'+2'2'+... 

-> Wheel diameter: mm
-> Tilting: -

-> Maximum operational speed where possible: 130 km/h ( mph) 

-> Length, loco: 18,4 m 
-> Length, EMU: m 
-> Height: 4,5 m
-> Width: 2,98 m

-> Weight, loco: 74 metric tons (,000 lb)
-> Max. axle load: metric tons
-> Power to weight ratio:

-> Train control:

-> Special: