SBB plans loco fleet overhaul

Swiss rail operator SBB has announced a major overhaul of its fleet of Re460 locomotives.

The locomotives are the only vehicles in Switzerland capable of reaching speeds of 200km/h and have now been in operation for 20 years.

SBB will upgrade each of its 119 locomotives, having estimated that together they have travelled the equivalent of two-and-a-half times around the globe.

Modernisation work will be carried out at a site in Yverdon-les-Bains between now and 2022.

Around 230 million Swiss francs is being invested in the programme, which will include installing energy recovery systems on the locos.

The first revitalised Re460 is expected to return to service in 2015.




Continue reading...