SWITZERLAND: The first of six Stadler ABDeh 8/8 electric multiple-units ordered by Berner Oberland-Bahn entered revenue service on the metre-gauge route between Interlaken Ost, Lauterbrunnen and Grindelwald on February 13.
This followed a ceremony on February 10 during which a depot at Zweilütschinen was formally opened and the first of the 1·5 kV DC EMUs was inaugurated by railway and government officials. ‘The new EMU has everything we could want’, said Bernese politician Barbara Egger-Jenzer. ‘It is low-floor, comfortable, efficient in operation, fast and quiet.’
Stadler is supplying six three-car EMUs and three driving cars under a SFr77m contract. A further SFr35m has been invested in the depot, which has a 135 m long, 20 m wide and 8·5m high building equipped with movable access platforms and electrification equipment and underfloor lifting systems. The depot also has a train washing plant.
