Dear Doctor Rail
Recently I’ve been seeing trains that have an SBB double arrow on the front while other, identical trains don’t. Why is this?
Best regards, Silvan
Dear Silvan
You’re definitely a true trainspotter! But in all seriousness, I think it has something to do with the ongoing renovation of our trains. For example, we’ve been working hard since 2012 to overhaul and upgrade our 44 InterCity tilting trains (ICNs).
This seven-year project involves bringing each train in turn to our workshop in Yverdon-les-Bains, where it is given a brand new interior as well as the equipment it needs for the 3G/4G mobile network. This complete overhaul takes around 25 days and includes work on technical components such as bogies, traction motors and doors. The train is also given a makeover, with newly painted coach bodies and entrance doors. Afterwards, the trains are as good as new and are ready to be used on the railway for another twelve years.
To come back to your question, in addition to their new identical look, the renovated ICNs also feature an SBB logo on their noses, partly to indicate that they’ve been modernised. In fact, we’ve just reached the half-way point in this project – at the moment, 22 of the trains have the logo while the other 22 still don’t.
It’s the same situation for the first trains on the Zurich S-Bahn: here, too, around half of the more than 100 trains have been completely overhauled, and you’ll find the SBB double arrow emblazoned on the front of these upgraded models as well. The DPZ double-deck push-pull trains are being transformed into “DPZ Plus” models, with the “Plus” in this new name standing for increased comfort. This means air conditioning, brand new interiors, large entrance zones and information Screens.
And while we’re on the topic of train renovation, it’s worth mentioning that SBB is also investing in upgrading its IC Bt driving trailers, which are used across the country for Intercity and Interregio services. For a start, the seat covers in 60 vehicles are set to be replaced over the next few years. What’s more, energy-efficient LED tubes will replace the old fluorescent tubes in the passenger areas, entrance zones, toilets and drivers’ cabins.
Regards, Doctor Rail
Der Beitrag Complete overhaul of the Intercity tilting trains. erschien zuerst auf SBB Blog..