Swiss railway news
News about railway and tram infrastructure, operations, policy, projects and the supply industry in Switzerland, from Railway Gazette International.
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NewsStadler appeals against SBB’s selection of Siemens for SFr2bn train contract
SWITZERLAND: Stadler has lodged an appeal with the Federal Administrative Court challenging Swiss Federal Railway’s selection of Siemens Mobility for a SFr2bn contract to supply up to 200 double-deck electric multiple-units.
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NewsDepot management system optimises Zürich tram movements
SWITZERLAND: Zürich transport operator VBZ is using the PEAK.DMS depot management system from Peak Mobility to manage schedules for around 260 trams at five depots.
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In depthComment: Tensions around Swiss tunnel regulation reflect SERA challenge
Switzerland’s recent changes to its national wagon safety regulations following the 2023 Gotthard Base Tunnel derailment have sparked a debate over how far national interests should override pan-European interoperability ambitions, says our Executive Editor Nick Kingsley.
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NewsStadler unhappy as Swiss Federal Railways selects Siemens Mobility to supply up to 200 trainsets
SWITZERLAND: Swiss Federal Railways has selected Siemens Mobility for a landmark contract to supply up to 200 double-deck electric multiple-units.
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NewsStadler to supply CBTC for Swiss mountain railway
SWITZERLAND: Transports Montreux-Vevey-Riviera has awarded Stadler a contract to equip the Montreux – Les Rochers-de-Naye mountain railway with its Nova Pro communications-based train control system.
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NewsSwiss safety authority accused of ‘regulatory zigzag’ as it adjusts wagon rules further
SWITZERLAND: Federal transport office BAV has issued a further amendment to the safety rules governing wagons using the Swiss main line network. Rail freight associations are demanding the changes be dropped entirely to avert risk of what UIP terms a ‘supply chain crisis’.
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NewsEurostar orders Celestia double-deck high speed trains
EUROPE: Eurostar has announced a €1·4bn order for 30 Alstom Avelia Horizon double-deck high speed trainsets, with options for 20 more.
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NewsSwiss Federal Railways awards digital interlocking contracts
SWITZERLAND: Swiss Federal Railways has awarded Hitachi Rail, Siemens Mobility and Stadler major framework contracts worth SFr1·4bn for the supply of digital interlockings.
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News‘Unilateral’ Gotthard Base Tunnel safety changes still threaten European rail freight, trade bodies warn
SWITZERLAND: Wagon owners remain concerned about changes to the rules governing freight trains passing through the Gotthard Base Tunnel. They say these have been imposed unilaterally by the Swiss authorities and pose a risk to the viability of pan-European rail freight.
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NewsKnorr-Bremse to acquire railway electronics supplier Duagon Group
SWITZERLAND: Knorr-Bremse has agreed to acquire railway safety hardware and software company Duagon Group, which it said would complement its existing business and increase its share of revenue in the rolling stock market.
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NewsZentralbahn orders more trains to handle growing leisure traffic
SWITZERLAND: Metre-gauge operator Zentralbahn has awarded Stadler a contract to supply five more Adler electric multiple-units and three Fink units. These will provide additional capacity by 2030 to handle increasing leisure traffic including the growth of international tourism.
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NewsSBB Cargo aims to cut operating costs
SWITZERLAND: State-owned SBB Cargo is undertaking a realignment of its freight services under the Suisse Cargo Logistics programme, which would see the company become self-sufficient.
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NewsAppenzeller Bahnen applies to automate Rheineck – Walzenhausen line
SWITZERLAND: Appenzeller Bahnen has applied to the Federal Office of Transport for permission to convert its 1·96 km Rheineck –Walzenhausen rack-and-adhesion railway to fully automated operation.
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Metro Report InternationalSwiss light rail line prepared for automatic operation
SWITZERLAND: Automatic operation on the Waldenburgerbahn is scheduled to begin in September, with conversion to fully driverless operation envisaged for 2030.
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In depthPassenger trains: Stadler leads charge into alternative traction
While the political consensus on achieving net zero emissions may not be as robust today as it seemed to be only a few years ago, there can be little doubt that Europe’s railways remain committed to phasing out fossil fuel use. The transport sector still accounts for around a third ...
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NewsBerner Oberland-Bahnen orders EMUs to accommodate growing ridership
SWITZERLAND: Berner Oberland-Bahnen has ordered five more electric multiple-units from Stadler as an option on an existing order.
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NewsSwiss railway agrees ETCS upgrading framework contract
SWITZERLAND: BLS has agreed a long-term framework contract with Siemens Mobility covering the installation of ETCS Level 2 across its network.
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NewsEurostar plans direct trains from London to Frankfurt and Genève
EUROPE: Eurostar has announced plans to offer direct London – Frankfurt, London – Genève and Amsterdam – Brussels – Genève services once new trains are delivered in the early 2030s.
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NewsMountain railway orders ‘most beautiful’ rack trains
SWITZERLAND: Transports Montreux-Vevey-Riviera has awarded Stadler a contract to supply eight rack trainsets with large panoramic windows enabling tourists to enjoy views of the Alps and Lac Léman. The order signed on May 20 marks the final phase of a programme to overhaul the 10 km ...
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NewsUK to Switzerland high speed train working group to be established
EUROPE: A joint working group is to bring together the British and Swiss governments and rail industry experts to examine how to overcome the commercial and technical barriers to launching a direct high speed train service between the countries.