All Switzerland articles – Page 2
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NewsGotthard Base Tunnel repairs could last until next year
SWITZERLAND: The infrastructure damage caused by a freight train derailment in the western bore of the Gotthard Base Tunnel on August 10 is significantly greater than expected and repairs could take until early 2024, Swiss Federal Railways has reported.
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NewsSwedish company buys SBB Cargo diesel locomotives
EUROPE: Nordic Re-Finance has bought 44 Am843 diesel locomotives from Switzerland’s SBB Cargo, saying this will enable it to offer ‘future-proof’ locomotives for lease in the Swedish market. The Am843 single-cab four-axle Vossloh G1700-2 diesel locos dating from 2003-09 are used for shunting and light freight ...
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NewsSwiss MoU marks launch of Network Rail international research programme
EUROPE: UK infrastructure manager Network Rail has launched an International Research & Development partnership programme to strengthen ties with other railways by sharing knowledge and best practice. Projects would be jointly funded, with responsibility for resources, testing capabilities and best practices shared through both in-person and ...
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NewsSBB unveils inter-regional double-deck trainsets
SWITZERLAND: The first of 60 Stadler RABe512 double deck electric multiple-units for use on Interregio services was unveiled by Swiss Federal Railways at Zürich’s main station on July 7. SBB awarded Stadler a SFr1·3bn contract to supply the EMUs in 2021, having ordered similar units from ...
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In depthTrain Control: Say goodbye to lineside hardware with satellites and digital comms
A marriage of satellite communications with fully digital train control could eliminate lineside signals and related equipment, achieving huge savings and making the rail mode more affordable. Preliminary trials are already in progress.
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NewsSBB buys back stake in Cargo business from Swiss Combi
SWITZERLAND: Just over three years after selling a 35% stake in its freight business to logistics operator Swiss Combi, SBB has bought it back again for an undisclosed sum. SBB Cargo AG is now a 100% subsidiary of the national state-owned operator. Swiss Combi will continue ...
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NewsGoldenPass Express begins gauge-changing again after wheel spacing modification
SWITZERLAND: The GoldenPass Express service has once again begun running through from Montreux to Interlaken, after modifications were made to the gauge-changing rolling stock to address problems with excessive track wear. Through running from the metre gauge Montreux-Oberland Bahn network to standard gauge BLS tracks began ...
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NewsSBB consults on second Zürich – Winterthur route
Source: SBB SWITZERLAND: During June Swiss Federal Railways is to undertake public consultation on plans to build a new double-track line including a 9 km tunnel which, along with the existing route, would provide a total of four tracks between Zürich and Winterthur. The new alignment ...
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NewsAutomated train wheelchair lift launched
SWITZERLAND: Högg Group company Simplify Engineering has received the first order for its latest design of automated train-mounted wheelchair lift.
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In depthSwitzerland: Second Albula tunnel to open in 2024
Tracklaying will begin in June in the replacement Albula tunnel on the Rhätische Bahn main line from Chur to St Moritz. Murray Hughes reports.
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NewsGauge-changing GoldenPass Express restricted to metre gauge route
SWITZERLAND: Montreux-Oberland Bahn has suspended the gauge-changing GoldenPass Express through service between Montreux and Interlaken.
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Metro Report InternationalMultiple passengers can travel with one ticketing app
TICKETING: Fairtiq is rolling out a function on its check-in/assisted check-out ticketing app allowing multiple people to travel together. This follows frequent customer requests, and will enable groups such as families with children to travel on one ticket. The ‘companion mode’ was tested in Switzerland and ...
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NewsAlstom and SBB agree final Twindexx compensation package
SWITZERLAND: Swiss Federal Railways and Alstom have reached an out of court settlement regarding compensation over the operator’s Twindexx EMU fleet.
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NewsFive priority projects in Swiss long-term spending plan
SWITZERLAND: The Ministry of Transport has set out details of plans to enhance or rebuild key sections of the national rail network under legislation due to be passed in 2026 that will define further stages in the national long-term railway investment programme. Under the proposals announced ...
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Metro Report InternationalBern Tramlink tram delivered
SWITZERLAND: The first of 27 Stadler Tramlink trams ordered by Bern operator Bernmobil was delivered for testing on February 1. Entry into service is planned for late summer. A framework contract signed between the two parties in September 2019 covers the supply of up to 50 ...
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NewsFranco-Swiss TGV partnership extended for five more years
EUROPE: The TGV Lyria cross-border passenger train partnership of France’s SNCF Voyageurs (74%) and Switzerland’s SBB (26%) has been extended for a further five years. The co-operation dates back 30 years. There are 17 return trips per day across the Genève – Paris, Lausanne – Paris ...
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NewsAargau Verkehr orders EMUs to standardise fleet
SWITZERLAND: Aargau Verkehr has awarded Stadler a SFr39·5m contract to supply five ABe4/8 Saphir II metre-gauge electric multiple-units for use on the 22 km Wynental and 10 km Suhrental lines west of Zürich from December 2025. The firm order has been placed as an option on ...
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NewsRS Clare acquires Swiss lubrication product supplier
EUROPE: UK-based lubricant supplier RS Clare & Co has acquired Switzerland-based wheel-rail friction management product manufacture Igralub Holding, along with its subsidiaries in Germany and Austria and its share in a North American joint venture. Igralub will operate as a subsidiary of RS Clare, benefiting from ...
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In depthTrack Maintenance: Alleviating suffering on the metre gauge
Following severe wheel-rail interaction problems on Swiss metre-gauge networks, the RailPlus association has launched a technical study to investigate and address the issue, as Technical Manager Markus Barth explains to Reinhard Christeller.
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Metro Report InternationalTrams reach Waldenburg as regauged line reopens
SWITZERLAND: Baselland Transport has started operating light rail services between Liestal and Waldenburg, following the conversion of the former narrow-gauge railway which it acquired in 2016. The 13·1 km Waldenburgerbahn dating from 1883 has been rebuilt from 750 mm to 1 000 ...