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SBB Re 420

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SBB Re 420
Re 420 together with an Re 620
Type and origin
Power typeElectric
BuilderSLM Winterthur
BBC Baden
MFO Zürich
SAAS Geneva
Build date1964, 1967–1985
Total produced277 Re 4/4
26 Re 4/4
Specifications
Configuration:
 • AARB-B
 • UICBo′Bo′
Gauge1,435 mm / 4 ft 8+1⁄2 in standard gauge
Length15,410 mm (50 ft 6+3⁄4 in) over buffers
Width2,970 mm (9 ft 8+7⁄8 in)
Height4,500 mm (14 ft 9+1⁄8 in)
Loco weight80–85 tonnes (79–84 long tons; 88–94 short tons)
Electric system/s15 kV  16+2⁄3 Hz AC Catenary
Current pickup(s)Pantograph
Loco brakeAir and Dynamic
Performance figures
Maximum speed140 km/h (87 mph) Re 4/4
125 km/h (78 mph) Re 4/4III
Power output4,700 kW (6,300 hp)
Tractive effortContinuous: 150 kN (34,000 lbf) @105 km/h (65 mph),
Maximum: 255 kN (57,000 lbf)
Brakeforce135 kN (30,000 lbf)
Career
OperatorsSBB, BLS
ClassRe 4/4, later Re 420
Re 4/4, later Re 430
Numbers11101–11349, 11371–11397, later SBB 420 101–420 349; 421 371–421 397, BLS 420 501–420 512;
11350–11370 = 430 350–370 and RM/CR 436 111–115
DispositionRe 4/4: 6 withdrawn, 12 sold to BLS, of which 6 withdrawn, 259 in SBB service (2010)
Re 4/4: 21 in SBBC and 5 in CR service
Source

The Re 420, originally and still widely called Re 4/4, are a series of standard gauge electric locomotives of Swiss Federal Railways (SBB CFF FFS), but are also used by BLS AG (BLS Re 420.5) and previously also Südostbahn (SOB). They were produced over a period of 21 years, from 1964 to 1985, and are currently used mainly for freight operations but also still for some push-pull passenger train services. They are the most common type of locomotive in Switzerland.

The Re 421 is an upgraded version built for cross-border operations.

The Re 430 (Re 436 of private companies), originally known as the Re 4/4, are a derivative of the Re 420, modified for higher traction but lower speed.

Operations

As of 2024, the Re 420 are mainly used for freight services, they are sometimes paired with the Re 620, especially in mountainous regions. That pairing is referred to as Re 10/10.

Before the wide use of electric multiple units, the Re 420 was frequently used for passenger services, either alone or in pairs. It is still in use for some passenger train services. For example, some peak-hour commuter rail services of Zurich S-Bahn (e.g. the S21, S23) use refurbished Re 420 (LION) locomotives, head and tail, to haul bilevel coaches. Also the tourist-oriented Gotthard Panorama Express is hauled by a Re 420.

On 1 September 1999 locomotives 11101-155, 181, 191–270 and 299–304 were assigned to SBB passenger division, 11156–171, 11173–180, 11182–190, 11271–298, 11305–311, 11313–349 and 11371–397 to freight division (becoming SBB Cargo afterwards). At the end of 2002, 11172" ex-MThB joined the passenger fleet. One year later, 11225–11264 changed to SBB Cargo. At the end of 2004, vehicle numbers 11225–230 were changed to 11265–11270, and six locomotives sold to BLS (see list). One year later, locomotives 11102–11107 followed and were replaced in the passenger fleet by 11156–11159, 11161 and 11164 from SBB Cargo.

Cross-border services

Six Re 4/4 (vehicle numbers 11196 to 11201; later 11195 to 11200) were equipped with a wider pantograph wiper in order to conform with Deutsche Bahn (DB) and Austrian Federal Railways (ÖBB) standards, which allowed these units to operate EuroCity (EC) trains over the borders to Bregenz (Austria) and Lindau (Germany). These workings are now covered by the last series, 11371 to 11397, which were rebuilt for use in Germany and Austria, not only with a different pantograph but also Indusi and other systems necessary for use abroad. These locomotives are classified Re 421 and are lettered for SBB Cargo but also pull passenger trains to Bregenz and Lindau (however, 11382 was never converted as it was already withdrawn with fire damage).

With the reopening of Lindau-Reutin station and electrification of the line to Munich Central Station, services between Zürich HB and Munich were no longer hauled by locomotives, but instead New Pendolino EMUs started operations on this line.

Zurich S-Bahn

Between 2011 and 2016, 30 Re 420 locomotives of the passenger division (11201–11230) were rebuilt for peak-hour services of Zurich S-Bahn with double-deck cars. Each set is composed of 6 or 10 double-decker coaches plus one Re 420 LION locomotive at each end.

Re 430 subseries

SBB Re 4/4 11350 ex SOB Re 4/4 41

When the Südostbahn (SOB) had the opportunity to buy one of the first batch of 50 Re 4/4 locomotives before delivery, it had the gear modified for higher traction and lower speed for the steep routes of the SOB. This locomotive was delivered as number 41 (and is now SBB 11350). Based on the SOB experience, the SBB ordered a batch of 20 Re 4/4 in 1969 for use on the Gotthard route (three of those locomotives were sold to the SOB in the 1980s and were renumbered Re 4/4 42–44). Those locomotives were returned to the SBB between 1996 and 1998 in exchange for the four prototype Re 4/4 which have since operated as Re 446. The predecessors of Regionalverkehr Mittelland (EBT-VHB-SMB) ordered a total of five Re 4/4 (111–113, 141, 181, later 111–115) which were working as Re 436 111–115 for Crossrail AG until that company was dissolved in 2017. Re 436 111, 112, 114 & 115 were sold to Widmer Rail Services AG in 2017.

Stock

In total, 96 locomotives are owned by the passenger division, 6 by BLS and all others by SBB Cargo. Twelve locomotives have been withdrawn by 2010.

  • P (Basel shunting duty): 11101 and 11120
  • P: 11108...159 (44), 11161, 11164, 11172 II (ex MThB 21), 11181, 11191–11230, 11299–11304
  • SBB Cargo: 420 ... resp.. 11...: 160, 162, 163, 165–171 173–180, 182–190, 231–281, 283–298, 305–311, 313–322, 324–349 and 421 371–381, 383–397
  • BLS 420 501–506 (ex 11110, 11117, 11119, 11123, 11137 and 11142)

Withdrawn

  • 11113 +31.08.04 accident Zurich Oerlikon 24.10.03
  • 11172 I +31.12.78 accident Vaumarcus 09.12.78
  • 11282 +31.12.75 head-on collision with Ae 4/7 10906 near Landquart
  • 11312 +31.10.85 collision at Renens 14.09.85 with Ae 4/7 10940+11011
  • 11323 +01.06.05 fire damage at Steinen 23.03.05
  • 11382 +02.07.02 fire damage 31.01.2002
  • BLS 420 507-420 512 (ex 11107, 11102–11106): withdrawn September 2009 as surplus

Named locomotives

Re 420 11239, named Porrentruy and carrying the town's coat of arms

Exceptionally, two Re 420 locomotives are named after communes, as indicated also by their respective coat of arms on the side of the engine:

Locomotive Re 420 11239 inherited the name and coat of arms of Porrentruy from Ae 6/6 11483, which after the foundation of the canton of Jura in 1978 was renamed after that canton. Locomotive Re 420 11278 received the name and coat of arms of Cham from Re 620 11673, which was involved in an accident in May 2015 in Erstfeld and was subsequently used for spare parts.

Gallery

  • Re 420 310-5 in the SBB Cargo scheme Re 420 310-5 in the SBB Cargo scheme
  • Unit 11160 was the first locomotive to be equipped with air conditioning Unit 11160 was the first locomotive to be equipped with air conditioning
  • Number 11267, fully modernized: red color scheme, air conditioning, rectangular headlights, UIC plug, and steps Number 11267, fully modernized: red color scheme, air conditioning, rectangular headlights, UIC plug, and steps
  • A freight train pulled by 2 Re 420 units A freight train pulled by 2 Re 420 units
  • An un-modernized example in Geneva An un-modernized example in Geneva
  • An Re 420 and Re 620 lead a freight train down the Gotthard route An Re 420 and Re 620 lead a freight train down the Gotthard route
  • Re 421 380-7 This subtype is adapted for service in Germany Re 421 380-7
    This subtype is adapted for service in Germany
  • SBB Re 420 209-9 LION LION stands for: facelift, integration, optimization, reconfiguration SBB Re 420 209-9 LION
    LION stands for: facelift, integration, optimization, reconfiguration

See also

References

  1. "The SBB Re 4/4² and Re 4/4³ series locomotives". Schweizerische Bauzeitung (in German). No. 14. April 1970. p. 311-318. Retrieved 18 October 2024.
  2. "SBB Re 420 – Re 4/4" (in German). juergs.ch. Retrieved 28 December 2024.
  3. "BLS Re 420.5" (in German). juergs.ch. Retrieved 28 December 2024.
  4. "SBB Re 421" (in German). juergs.ch. Retrieved 28 December 2024.
  5. "SBB Re 430 – Re 4/4 " (in German). juergs.ch. Retrieved 28 December 2024.
  6. "LION: Modernisation of the Re 420 locomotive" (PDF). gaugemasterretail.com. Swiss Federal Railways. Retrieved 18 October 2024.
  7. "Wichtiger Auftrag für das SBB Industriewerk Bellinzona: 30 modernisierte Loks für die Zürcher S-Bahn" [Important order for the SBB industrial plant in Bellinzona: 30 modernized locomotives for the Zurich S-Bahn] (in German). 27 July 2011. Archived from the original on 25 March 2017. Retrieved 18 October 2024.
  8. "Re 4/4 II Nr. 11278 «CHAM» – SBB Historic Team Erstfeld". historic-erstfeld.ch (in German). Archived from the original on 4 June 2016. Retrieved 4 June 2016.

External links

Switzerland Standard gauge locomotives of Switzerland
BLS
Electric
Diesel
Type Re 6/6 No. 11611.
SBB-CFF-FFS
Steam
Electric
Experimental and prototypes
Diesel
Experimental and prototypes
Electro-diesel
SOB / SZU
Electric
See also
Category:Locomotives of Switzerland
Swiss locomotive and railcar classification
History of rail transport in Switzerland
Categories: