New Stadler locomotives for RhB and MGBahn

On 12 December 2024, Rhätische Bahn (RhB) and Matterhorn Gotthard Bahn (MGBahn) have signed the contracts with Stadler for the supply of eleven new metre-gauge hybrid locomotives: eight of the locomotives produced in Bussnang will go to the RhB and three to the MGBahn. They will replace older locomotives that are reaching the end of their service, and will see the fleet unified and expanded. The order is worth around 100 million CHF.

The customised Bo'Bo' locomotives are similar to six those ordered by the Montreux-Berner Oberland-Bahn (MOB) in October 2024. Moreover on 10 December 2024, the Transports de la région Morges-Bière-Cossonay (MBC) and Stadler signed a contract for a single such locomotive. The four orders will enable the RAILplus partner railways to achieve synergies and share the costs associated with the development and building of the new rolling stock.

Additional locomotives at RhB for shorter intervention times

The eight new locomotives will enable five RhB locomotives to be withdrawn from service. The three additional locomotives will help to reduce disruption, with more locomotives positioned along the route. Because many sections of the track on the RhB network do not have road access, it is essential that trains that are stranded or have experienced an incident or fault can be removed quickly, and in future, this will be done using these powerful locomotives. They will also be used to meet the increased demands placed on them, as more construction and maintenance activity is likely in future, andt here will be less time overnight to conduct this work.

The principal technical data:
Maximum speed - 100 km/h
Continuous power at the wheel flange at 11 kV 16.7 Hz voltage - 1,500 kW
Continuous power at the wheel flange at 1,000 V DC voltage - 1,000 kW
Power at the wheel flange in a diesel mode - 700 kW
Max. starting tractive force at adhesion - 220 kN
Weight - 63 tonnes
Wheel diameter new/worn - 1,070 / 1,000 mm
Brake - Vacuum and compressed air

Replacement for old MGBahn vehicles

MGBahn is procuring the three new service locomotives to replace the ageing Class HGm 4/4 61 and 62 locomotives. The new machines will be used for maintenance and upgrade works the railway infrastructure. They will play a central role in clearing snow from the Oberalp Pass in winter.

The principal technical data:
Maximum speed - 70 km/h
Continuous power at the wheel flange at 11 kV 16.7 Hz voltage - 1,300 kW
Power at the wheel flange in a diesel mode - 700 kW
Max. starting tractive force at adhesion - 140 kN
Max. starting tractive force at rack - 280 kN
Weight - 63 tonnes
Wheel diameter new/worn - 796 / 770 mm
Brake - Vacuum and compressed air

We asked Stadler, when the locomotives for the RhB, MGBahn and MBC will be delivered. We are waiting for an answer.