Swiss rolling stock

SBB A 3/5

A 3/5

The A 3/5 was the SBB's express steam locomotive before electrification. This page explains the Swiss classification system and today's surviving museum stock.

SBB C 5/6 (Elefant)

C 5/6

The C 5/6 'Elefant' was the SBB's heavy freight steam locomotive. This page explains the designation, axle arrangement and today's surviving museum stock.

HGe 4/4

HGe 4/4 II

The HGe 4/4 is an electric rack locomotive for Swiss metre-gauge railways. This page decodes the designation and shows what to look for in the field.

Re 4/4I

Re 4/4 I

The Re 4/4 I was the first series of the Swiss Re 4/4 family: a light four-axle express engine. Today you mostly meet it at private railways and heritage societies.

SBB Re 420 (Re 4/4 II)

Re 4/4 II

The Re 4/4 II is the standard electric locomotive of the SBB and is now called the Re 420. This page shows you how to recognise it and what the two designations mean.

SBB Re 430

Re 4/4 III

The Re 430 is the third series of the Swiss Re 4/4 family and is designed for tractive effort. This page shows you how to tell it apart from the similar Re 420.

SBB Re 450

Re 450

The Re 450 is the locomotive of the Swiss double-deck push-pull train in S-Bahn service. This page shows how the set is put together and what that means for spotting.

SBB Re 460 (Lok 2000)

Re 460

The Re 460 is the SBB's modern long-distance locomotive: 119 machines, 200 km/h, an unmistakably rounded front. Here's how to recognise it and its sister designs.

SBB Re 465 (BLS)

Re 465

The Re 465 is the BLS variant of the Lok 2000 family and is easily mistaken for the Re 460. This page shows you how to tell the two apart with confidence.

SBB Re 474 (Vectron CH)

Re 474

The Re 474 is a four-axle multi-system freight locomotive for the Switzerland–Italy corridor. This page explains electrification systems, naming and recognition features.

SBB Am 843

Am 843

The Am 843 is the SBB's four-axle diesel locomotive for shunting, engineering and main-line duty. This page explains the designation and the recognition features.

SBB RABDe 500 (ICN)

ICN

The RABDe 500 is SBB's InterCity tilting train: a seven-car multiple unit that leans into curves. Here's how to read its designation and spot it in the field.

SBB RABe 501 (Giruno)

Giruno

The RABe 501 "Giruno" is SBB's Stadler high-speed train for the Gotthard Base Tunnel. Here's how to read its designation and identify it reliably in the field.

SBB RABe 503 (ETR 610)

ETR 610

The RABe 503 is SBB's multi-system tilting train for services towards Italy. Here's how to read the Swiss designation and tell it apart from the ICN.

Bhe 4/8

Rack railway multiple unit

Bhe 4/8 means: second class, rack-and-pinion drive, electric, four of eight axles powered. Here's how to read the Swiss designation and spot the unit in the field.

BLS RABe 515 (MUTZ)

MUTZ

The RABe 515 'MUTZ' is BLS's double-deck multiple unit from the Stadler KISS family. Here's how to read the Swiss designation and recognise it on the platform.

BLS RABe 525 (Nina)

NINA

The RABe 525 'Nina' is BLS's low-floor local-service multiple unit. Here's how to read its Swiss designation and recognise it with confidence on the platform.

BLS RABe 535 (Lötschberger)

Lötschberger

The RABe 535 'Lötschberger' is BLS's single-deck FLIRT multiple unit for RegioExpress services. Here's how to recognise it confidently and read its designation.

MGB ABDeh 4/8 (Komet)

Komet

ABDeh 4/8 means: first and second class, luggage compartment, rack drive, electric, four of eight axles powered. Here's how to read the Komet's designation.

MGB ABeh 8/12 (Orion)

Orion

ABeh 8/12 means: first and second class, electric, rack drive, eight of twelve axles powered. Here's how to read the designation of the Stadler-built Orion.

RABe 533 (Stadler FLIRT Evo)

FLIRT Evo

The RABe 533 belongs to Stadler's FLIRT Evo generation. Here's how to read the Swiss designation, spot the articulated build and tell it apart from older FLIRTs.

SBB Class RABe 511 (Regio-Dosto)

Regio-Dosto

The RABe 511 is the SBB's double-deck electric multiple unit for regional and RegioExpress services. Here's how to read the designation and tell it apart from a loco-hauled push-pull set.

SBB Class RABe 521 (FLIRT)

RABe 521

The RABe 521 is an electric low-floor multiple unit from SBB's FLIRT family. This page explains the Swiss designation and shows how to identify it beyond doubt.

SBB Class RABe 523 (FLIRT)

RABe 523

The RABe 523 is a Swiss FLIRT series for regional traffic. Because several series share the same design, the series number decides – here's how to read it correctly.

SBB Class RABe 524

RABe 524

The RABe 524 is an electric multiple unit from SBB's FLIRT family. Here's what the designation means and how to identify it beyond doubt.

SBB Class RABe 526 (Thurbo FLIRT)

RABe 526

Several quite different vehicles in Switzerland carry the series 526. Here's how to identify the Thurbo FLIRT and avoid mixing it up with its namesakes.

SBB Class RABe 531

RABe 531

The RABe 531 is an electric multiple unit from SBB. This page shows how to identify it reliably through the Swiss designation and a fixed chain of features.

SBB RABe 502 (FV-Dosto)

FV-Dosto

The RABe 502 is SBB's double-deck long-distance train from the Twindexx family. Here's how to read the designation and identify it reliably on the platform.

SOB RABe 526 (Silberfischli)

Silberfischli

The SOB RABe 526 is nicknamed “Silberfischli” (little silverfish) because of its silvery, pale bodyshell. Here's how to recognise it and get it nicely in the picture.

SOB RABe 526 (Traverso)

Traverso

The SOB RABe 526 “Traverso” is a multiple unit from the FLIRT family built for longer journeys. Here's how to recognise it and tell it apart from the other 526 series.

Thurbo RABe 526 (GTW)

GTW 2/6

The Thurbo RABe 526 is a GTW – recognisable by the short power module in the middle of the train. And the fraction 2/6 or 2/8 instantly tells you how many axles are powered.

SBB Bm 2/2 (historical)

Bm 2/2

The Bm 2/2 is a small Swiss diesel vehicle with two powered axles. Its designation explains traction and axles in full – here's how to read it correctly.

SBB IC2000 driving trailer

IC2000 Bt

A driving trailer looks like the front of a train, but it's a coach without traction. On the IC2000 that's exactly what the Swiss designation reveals – here's how to read it.

SBB Ee 3/3

Ee 3/3

The Ee 3/3 is the classic electric shunting locomotive of the SBB: three powered out of three axles. Here's how to read the designation and identify it reliably.

SBB Ee 922

Ee 922

The Ee 922 is a modern electric shunting locomotive of the SBB. Its three-digit number shows how the Swiss classification system has changed – here's how to read both.

SBB Em 840

Em 840

The SBB Em 840 is a shunting locomotive with an internal combustion engine – and its name already says so. Here's how to read the Swiss code and identify the machine reliably.

SBB Xrot Rotary Snowplough

Xrot

The SBB Xrot is a rotary snowplough – a service vehicle that only really stands out in winter. Here's how to read the code and recognise the design.