SBB RAe TEE II
Encyclopedia
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.
It was designed to be compatible with four different railway electrification system
s (different voltages in the overhead lines
), 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.
These trains were originally used on the following services:
The trains ran in a 4-day circulation:
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 (after revision on day 4) from Zürich to Basel. From 30 September 1979, this section was only served on weekdays, before on 23 May 1982 was withdrawn entirely.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 trains for:
The last TEE Edelweiss ran on 26 May 1979, 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, and Zürich to Stuttgart. Their new livery earned them the nickname "grey mouse". They remained in EuroCity service until 1994.
Electric multiple unit
An electric multiple unit or EMU is a multiple unit train consisting of self-propelled carriages, using electricity as the motive power. An EMU requires no separate locomotive, as electric traction motors are incorporated within one or a number of the carriages...
trainset of the Swiss Federal Railways (SBB-CFF-FFS
SBB-CFF-FFS
Swiss Federal Railways and SFR are not in official use) is the national railway company of Switzerland headquartered in Bern. Formerly a government institution, it is since 1999 a special stock corporation with all shares held by the Swiss Confederation or the Swiss cantons...
), which was used from the 1960s until the 1980s on several Trans Europ Express
Trans Europ Express
The Trans Europ Express, or Trans-Europe Express, is a former international railway service in Europe. At its maximum extent, in 1974, the network comprised 45 trains, connecting 130 different cities.-Origin:...
services.
It was designed to be compatible with four different railway electrification system
Railway electrification system
A railway electrification system supplies electrical energy to railway locomotives and multiple units as well as trams so that they can operate without having an on-board prime mover. There are several different electrification systems in use throughout the world...
s (different voltages in the overhead lines
Overhead lines
Overhead lines or overhead wires are used to transmit electrical energy to trams, trolleybuses or trains at a distance from the energy supply point...
), 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
First class travel
First class is the most luxurious class of accommodation on a train, passenger ship, airplane, or other conveyance. It is usually much more expensive than business class and economy class, and offers the best amenities.-Aviation:...
accommodation only.
These trains were originally used on the following services:
- TEE Gottardo, Zürich – Milano
- TEE Cisalpin, Milano – Paris
- TEE Ticino, Milano – Zürich
The trains ran in a 4-day circulation:
- Gottardo, Zürich – Milano, and Cisalpin, Milano – Paris
- Cisalpin, Paris – Milano
- Ticino, Milano – Zürich – Milano, and Gottardo, Milano – Zürich
- layoverLayoverIn transportation, a layover, also known as lays over or stopover, is some form of a break between parts of a single trip.-In mass transit:...
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 (after revision on day 4) from Zürich to Basel. From 30 September 1979, this section was only served on weekdays, before on 23 May 1982 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 trains for:
- TEE Edelweiss, Zürich – Amsterdam
- TEE Iris, Zürich – Brussels
The last TEE Edelweiss ran on 26 May 1979, 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
EuroCity
EuroCity, abbreviated EC, denotes an international train service within the European inter-city rail network. In contrast to trains with the "IC" label, "EC" trains are international trains that meet certain criteria. The EuroCity label replaces the older Trans Europ Express name for...
services from Zürich to Milano, and Zürich to Stuttgart. Their new livery earned them the nickname "grey mouse". They remained in EuroCity service until 1994.
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),
- 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