SWITZERLAND: Appenzeller Bahnen has awarded Stadler a SFr17·5m contract to supply two rack railcars to replace the life-expired fleet on the 7 km Rorschach – Heiden line from the end of 2028.
The two 1 435 mm gauge adhesion and rack-and-pinion railcars will replace the existing vehicles built in 1998 and two older reserve vehicles dating from 1953 and 1967. Announcing the order on December 19, the operator said these cannot viably be brought into line with modern requirements.
Summer services with open observation cars will continue to be offered.
The new railcars will be 21 m long and able to operate in multiple when passenger numbers are high. Their light weight and use of the latest technologies will reduce energy and maintenance costs, and they will meet the requirements of the Swiss Disability Discrimination Act with low-floor access and two spaces for wheelchair users.
There will also be space for bicycles and prams, air-conditioning, plus infotainment provision and charging sockets.
First class will be reintroduced, with seats next to the driver at the front and rear of the train offering good views of the route and the Bodensee.
The vehicles will be prepared for future GoA4 unattended automated operation, which Appenzeller Bahnen plans to introduce from around 2035.
Meanwhile, Appenzeller Bahnen and Swiss Federal Railways are looking at remodelling Rorschach station to eliminate conflicting movements and enable services on the rack line to be increased from hourly to every 30 min in the peaks.
