Rhaetian Railway ABe 8/12

The Rhaetian Railway ABe 8/12, which is also known as the Allegra, is a class of dual voltage metre gauge three car multiple unit trains of the Rhaetian Railway (RhB), which is the main railway network in the Canton of Graubünden, Switzerland.

Rhaetian Railway ABe 8/12 Allegra
ABe 8/12 Allegra at Pontresina station.
In service2009–
ManufacturerStadler Rail
Constructed2009–2011
Number built15
Operator(s)Rhaetian Railway
Specifications
Train length49,500 mm (162 ft 4 7⁄8 in)
Width2,650 mm (8 ft 8 3⁄8 in)
Maximum speed100 km/h (62 mph)
Power outputAC: 2,600 kW (3,490 hp)
DC: 2,400 kW (3,220 hp)
Tractive effort130 kN (29,230 lbf)
260 kN (58,450 lbf)
Electric system(s)11 kV 16.7 Hz AC
1,000 V DC Overhead
Current collection methodPantograph
UIC classificationBo′Bo′+2′2′+Bo′Bo′
Track gauge1,000 mm (3 ft 3 3⁄8 in) metre gauge

The class is so named under the Swiss locomotive and railcar classification system. According to that system, ABe 8/12 denotes an electric railcar train with first and second class compartments, and a total of 12 axles, eight of which are drive axles.

Technical details

The ABe 8/12 trains were delivered between 2009 and 2011. They are used mainly on Rhaetian Railway routes with steep inclines: the Arosa line, the Bernina Railway, and the route from Landquart to Davos. They are fitted with dual voltage electrical equipment, to enable them to operate on both the Rhaetian Railway's core network, which is electrified at 11 kV 16.7 Hz, and on the Bernina Railway, which is electrified at 1,000 V DC.

Each of the ABe 8/12s is equipped with comfortable air conditioned compartments for both first class and second class passengers. The first class compartment at the front of each train offers a pleasant view of the track from directly behind the driver. In the middle of the ABe 8/12s is a large low floor area, which also allows disabled passengers a comfortable ride. Most units entered regular service soon after delivery.

Metre gauge speed record

On 5 December 2009, during regular pre-service shakedown trials in the Vereina Tunnel, an ABe 8/12 set a new speed record for metre gauge railways of 139 km/h. The previous record had stood at 134 km/h, and had been held by the Regionalverkehr Bern-Solothurn (RBS). The maximum speed previously registered on the RhB had been 110 km/h.

Train names

On 1 May 2010, four trains were baptized in Landquart. The train 3501 got the name of Willem Jan Holsboer, the Dutch founder of the Rhaetian Railway; the train 3502 is called after Friedrich Hennings, an engineer who was the chairman of the building of the Albulabahn. The train 3503 is called after the Swiss alpine ski racer Carlo Janka (grown up in Obersaxen GR) who won the world championship and the olympic gold medal in the giant slalom and who is the overall winner in Men's Alpine Skiing World Cup. The train 3504 got the name of Dario Cologna (grown up in Mustair GR) who is the overall winner of Men's cross-country skier and also gold medal winner of Vancouver.[1]

List of trains
ABe 8/12 3503, with a Regional train to Tirano, on the bank between Bernina Lagalb and Ospizio Bernina.
An ABe 8/12 at Lüen-Castiel,
Chur-Arosa railway.

The trains in the class are named,[1] and entered service, as follows:

List of the ABe 8/12 trains of the Rhaetian Railway
Fleet no.NameCommissioningStatus
3501Willem Jan HolsboerOctober 2009in service
3502Friedrich HenningsNovember 2009in service
3503Carlo JankaMarch 2010in service
3504Dario ColognaApril 2010in service
3505Giovanni SegantiniApril 2010in service
3506Anna von PlantaJuli 2010in service
3507Benedetg FontanaAugust 2010in service
3508Richard CoraySeptember 2010in service
3509Placidus SpeschaNovember 2010in service
3510Alberto GiacomettiNovember 2010in service
3511Otto BarblanDecember 2010in service
3512Jörg JenatschJanuary 2011in service
3513Simeon BavierJanuary 2011in service
3514Steivan BruniesMarch 2011in service
3515Alois CarigietMarch 2011in service

References
  1. "Names of the ALLEGRA cars". Rhaetian Railway website. Rhaetian Railway. Retrieved 14 January 2012. External link in |work= (help)
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