The BLS RABe 528, also known as MIKA,[a] is a passenger articulated trainset manufactured by Stadler Rail for BLS AG. It is a derivative of the Stadler FLIRT and began entering service in 2021.
| BLS RABe 528 | |
|---|---|
 BLS No. 105 at Burgdorf in 2022 | |
 Second class seating area | |
| In service | 2021–present |
| Manufacturer | Stadler Rail |
| Number built | 58 |
| Fleet numbers |
|
| Capacity | 275 seated + 200 standees |
| Operators | BLS AG |
| Specifications | |
| Train length | 104,900 mm (344.2 ft) |
| Width | 2,880 mm (9.45 ft) |
| Height | 4,260 mm (13.98 ft) |
| Articulated sections | 6 |
| Maximum speed | 160 km/h (99 mph) |
| Electric system(s) | 15 kV 16.7 Hz AC |
| UIC classification | Bo’Bo’2’2'2’Bo’Bo’ |
| Track gauge | 1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in) |
| Notes/references | |
| [1] | |
History
editBLS AG ordered 58 trainsets from Stadler Rail in 2017 at a cost of CHF 650 million. BLS planned to use the trains on Bern S-Bahn services and on longer RegioExpress services.[3] The RABe 528 will replace locomotive-hauled Einheitswagen III coaches and the RBDe 565 and RBDe 565 multiple units.[4] The first trains entered service on 10 May 2021 on the InterRegio 66 between Bern and Neuchâtel.[5]
Design
editEach formation is composed of six cars, with a maximum seating capacity of 275. They can accommodate another 200 standees. Altogether the formation is 104,900 mm (344 ft 1+15⁄16 in) long. Cars are 2,880 mm (9 ft 5+3⁄8 in) wide and 4,260 mm (13 ft 11+11⁄16 in) tall. The design speed is 160 km/h (99 mph). There are different internal layouts for longer-distance trains compared to S-Bahn trains but they are mechanically identical.[1]
Notes
editReferences
edit- ^ a b "New BLS FLIRT Unveiled". Railvolution. 10 September 2020. Retrieved 18 December 2022.
- ^ BLS (29 November 2022). "Charterzüge: RABe 528 «MIKA» - Charter & Flotte". BLS (in German). Retrieved 18 December 2022.
- ^ "Mega-Deal der Privatbahn - BLS kauft Stadler-Züge für 650 Millionen". Schweizer Radio und Fernsehen (in German). 2 May 2017. Retrieved 18 December 2022.
- ^ BLS (3 August 2016). "Rollmaterialbeschaffung - Neue Züge für sorgloses Reisen - BLS AG". BLS (in German). Archived from the original on 29 September 2020. Retrieved 18 December 2022.
- ^ BLS (12 August 2016). "BLS nimmt erste MIKA-Züge in Betrieb – 04.05.2021 – BLS AG". BLS (in German). Retrieved 18 December 2022.
External links
edit
Media related to BLS RABe 528 at Wikimedia Commons- RABe 528 – «MIKA» – The future has begun
- Technical drawing
