SBB-CFF-FFS RAe TEE II

The RAe TEE II, later known as RABe EC, is a type of high-speed electric multiple unit trainset of the Swiss Federal Railways (SBB-CFF-FFS), which was used from the 1960s until the 1980s on several Trans Europ Express services.

SBB-CFF-FFS RAe TEE II
SBB-CFF-FFS RABe EC
RAe No. 1051 with TEE 57 Gottardo near Lavorgo, Switzerland, 18 August 1988
In service1961–1999
Manufacturer
Constructed
  • 1961 (1051–1054)
  • 1966 (lengthened)
  • 1967 (1055)
Number built5
Number in service0
Number preserved1
Formation
  • as built: At-Re-WR-A-At
  • later: At-A-Re-WR-A-At
Fleet numbers1051–1055
Capacity
  • TEE: 126 (later 168) first, 56 dining
  • EC: 84 first, 108 second, 39 dining
Operator(s)Swiss Federal Railways
Specifications
Train length
  • 5-car: 125.334 m (411 ft 2 3⁄8 in)
  • 6-car: 149.760 m (491 ft 4 1⁄8 in)
Width2,840 mm (9 ft 3 3⁄4 in)
Height4,210 mm (13 ft 9 3⁄4 in)
Wheel diameter
  • Powered: 1,110 mm (43 3⁄4 in)
  • Unpowered: 940 mm (37 in)
Maximum speed160 km/h (99 mph)
Weight
  • 5-car: 259 tonnes (255 long tons; 285 short tons)
  • 6-car: 309 tonnes (304 long tons; 341 short tons)
Traction motorsFour
Power outputContinuous: 2,310 kW (3,100 hp)
Tractive effort
  • 15 kV: 81.6 kN (18,300 lbf)
  • Others: 79.8 kN (17,900 lbf)
Electric system(s)
Current collection methodOverhead lines via pantograph
UIC classification2′2′+[2′2′+](A1A)(A1A)+2′2′+2′2′+2′2′
Track gauge1,435 mm (4 ft 8 1⁄2 in)
An RAe TEE II set running as the Trans Europ Express Iris in 1979, seen departing Zürich for Brussels

It was designed to be compatible with four different railway electrification systems (different voltages in the overhead lines),[1] used by various countries in Europe, allowing it to operate on long international routes. Like all TEE trains, the RAe TEE II trainsets were equipped with first-class accommodation only. A total of five trainsets were built, numbered 1051–1055.

Operation
Preserved and restored RAe TEE II trainset number 1053 on a 2003 excursion
An RABe EC in Bern, after being taken out of TEE service (in 1988), converted to two-class and repainted grey. Although no longer a TEE, it still has its TEE badge on the front.

These trains were originally used on the following services:

The trains ran in a 4-day circulation:

  1. Gottardo, Zürich – Milano, and Cisalpin, Milano – Paris
  2. Cisalpin, Paris – Milano
  3. Ticino, Milano – Zürich – Milano, and Gottardo, Milano – Zürich
  4. layover in Zurich

From 30 May 1965, the southbound Gottardo started from Basel, but nevertheless the northbound train still terminated in Zürich. This led to an empty run (every fourth day for any given trainset) from Zürich to Basel. From 30 September 1979, this section was only served on weekdays, and on 23 May 1982 it was withdrawn entirely. During the summers of 1974–1979 the Gottardo was extended from Milano to Genova (in both directions).

The Cisalpin was converted in 1974 to a locomotive-hauled train and the Ticino was discontinued, freeing up RAe sets for the following two TEE trains:[2]

  • TEE Edelweiss, Zürich – Brussels – Amsterdam[3]
  • TEE Iris, Zürich – Brussels

The last TEE Edelweiss ran on 26 May 1979,[4] and the TEE Iris on 30 May 1981. The last international TEE until 1993—and the last TEE anywhere to use RAe TEE II trainsets—was the Gottardo, which ran as a Trans Europ Express for the very last time on 24 September 1988, from Milano to Zürich.

After their use on TEE services ended, the RAe TEE II sets were converted to two-class trains, redesignated type RABe EC, repainted from red-and-cream to two-tone grey, and put into use on EuroCity services from Zürich to Milano (the EC Gottardo), Zürich to Stuttgart, and Lausanne to Milano (the EC Lemano and EC Lutetia).[1] Their new livery earned them the nickname "grey mouse". They were removed from EuroCity service in 1994[1] and retired from regular service altogether in late 1999.

See also

References
  1. Haydock, David (June-July 1996). "The Second Demise of the TEE". Today's Railways, pp. 22–24. Platform 5 Publishing (UK). ISSN 1354-2753.
  2. "Summer services, 1974" (changes due to take effect). Thomas Cook Continental Timetable (March 29–April 25, 1974 edition), p. 465. Peterborough, UK: Thomas Cook Publishing.
  3. Until 1974 Amsterdam was the final destination, thereafter it ended in Brussels
  4. Thomas Cook International Timetable (May 27–June 30, 1979 edition), p. 6. Thomas Cook Publishing.

Other sources

This article uses material from German Wikipedia.

  • Louis-Henri Leyvraz: Die Vierstrom-Triebzüge RAe-TEE II 1051–1055 der SBB. In: Schweizer Eisenbahn Revue. 06/1988. Minirex AG, S. 207 (8 Seiten, 12 Abbildungen), ISSN 1022-7113
  • Maurice Mertens: Les Trans Europ Express (Seconde edition). La Vie du Rail, Paris 1987, ISBN 2-902808-21-6
  • Maurice Mertens: Trans Europ Express. Alba-Verlag, Düsseldorf 1987, ISBN 3-87094-114-6
  • Hans-Bernhard Schönborn: Die TEE-Züge der Schweiz. Luxuszüge für Europa. GeraMond, München 2002, ISBN 3-7654-7122-4
  • Christian Zellweger: TEE – Ikone der Luxuszüge. AS Verlag, Zürich 2003, ISBN 3-905111-95-0
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