The BLS RABe 515, also known as MUTZ,[a] is a class of bilevel electric multiple units manufactured by Stadler Rail for BLS AG. It is a second-generation derivative of the Stadler KISS. Formations are composed of four or six cars. They were the first bilevel cars used by BLS.
| BLS RABe 515 | |
|---|---|
 Four-car formation near Bürglen in 2012 | |
 Second class interior, upper level | |
| In service | 2012–present |
| Manufacturer | Stadler Rail |
| Family name | Stadler KISS |
| Number built | 39 |
| Number in service | 39 |
| Formation | 4–6 cars |
| Fleet numbers | 001–039 |
| Capacity | 335–546 |
| Operators | |
| Specifications | |
| Train length | 102.6–151.88 m (336.6–498.3 ft) |
| Weight | 216–310 t (213–305 long tons; 238–342 short tons) |
| Power output | 4,000 kW (5,400 hp) |
| Electric system(s) | 15 kV 16.7 Hz AC |
History
editBLS ordered 28 four-car trainsets in March 2010 at a cost of CHF 494 million. BLS planned to use the cars on various Bern S-Bahn routes.[2] The first trains entered service on 19 September 2012.[3] All 28 trains were in service by the December 2014 timetable change.[4] BLS ordered three more trainsets in 2015, also for use on S-Bahn routes.[5] In 2018, BLS exercised an option for eight more trainsets for use on long-distance routes between Bern and Biel/Bienne and Bern and Olten. Five of these use an extended six-car formation.[6]
Design
editThe four-car formation is 102,240 millimetres (335 ft 5+3⁄16 in) long. Cars stand 4,595 millimetres (15 ft 7⁄8 in) tall and are 2,800 millimetres (9 ft 2+1⁄4 in) wide. The four-car trains have seating for 335 passengers; the six-car trains can accommodate 546. The design speed is 160 kilometres per hour (99 mph).[7][8]
In both formations there are cabs at the front and rear ends. The four-car formation has a single car with split first class and second class seating, with the six-car formation has two such cars. Passengers sit on both levels of the cars. The cars are low floor. Stairs at each end of each car permit access to the gangway between cars and to the upper level.[9][10]
Operation
editAs of 2022[update], the BLS RABe 515 is used on the S1, S3, S31, and S6 of the Bern S-Bahn, and on the Bern–Biel/Bienne and Bern–Olten InterRegio services.[1]
Notes
editReferences
edit- ^ a b BLS (28 September 2021). "Charterzüge: RABe 515 Doppelstockzug «MUTZ» - Charter & Flotte". BLS (in German). Retrieved 20 December 2022.
- ^ "Stadler unveils first BLS double-decker train". Railway Technology. 21 March 2012. Retrieved 19 December 2022.
- ^ "Eisenbahn-Kurier – Vorbild und Modell - BLS: Erster Doppelstockzug auf „Stadt Bern" getauft". www.eisenbahn-kurier.de. Retrieved 19 December 2022.
- ^ BLS (15 August 2016). "Alle Doppelstockzüge MUTZ auf der S-Bahn-Bern unterwegs – Medienmitteilung vom 25.11.2014 – BLS AG". BLS. Retrieved 20 December 2022.
- ^ Scheeder, Fabian (2017). "Weitere RABe 515 für die BLS". Schweizer Eisenbahn-Revue (in German) (1): 2. ISSN 1022-7113.
- ^ BLS (28 November 2018). "Die BLS bedient ab Dezember 2019 zwei Fernverkehrslinien – 21.06.2018 – BLS AG". BLS. Retrieved 20 December 2022.
- ^ "Elektrischer Doppelstocktriebzug KISS für die BLS AG, S-Bahn Bern, Schweiz" (PDF) (in German). Stadler Rail. Retrieved 20 December 2022.
- ^ BLS (15 September 2016). "Charter trains: RABe 515 double-decker train "MUTZ" - charter & fleet". BLS. Retrieved 20 December 2022.
- ^ "Doppelstock-Triebzug Typ «MUTZ» 4-teilig (RABe 515)" (PDF) (in German). BLS. Retrieved 20 December 2022.
- ^ "Doppelstock-Triebzug Typ «MUTZ» 6-teilig (RABe 515)" (PDF) (in German). BLS. Retrieved 20 December 2022.
External links
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