BLS RABe 525

The BLS RABe 525, also known as NINA or Nina, is a Swiss electric multiple unit built by Bombardier Transportation with electrical equipment by Alstom. The train is principally used by the BLS AG on Bern S-Bahn services, three units (525 038-041)) belong to RegionAlps. An updated version exists as the BLS RABe 535, also known as Lötschberger, also exists with a revised front end and an interior intended for longer distance services.

BLS RABe 525
BLS No. 029 at Hüswil in 2019
In service	1998–present
Manufacturer	Vevey Technologies (1998–2001) Bombardier (from 2001) Alstom/Traxis (formely Holec)
Refurbished	2015-2019
Number built	37
Number in service	36
Number scrapped	1
Fleet numbers	001–014, 028–030, 032–037 (3 car units) 015-027 (4 car units)
Capacity	134 seated + 70 standees (3 car unit) 179 seated + 85 standees (4 car unit)
Operators	BLS AG
Specifications
Train length	47.7 m (156 ft) (3 car unit) 61.9 m (203 ft) (4 car unit)
Width	3,030 mm (9.94 ft)
Height	4,315 mm (14.157 ft)
Articulated sections	3 or 4
Maximum speed	140 km/h (87 mph)
Weight	79 t (3 car unit) 96 t (4 car unit)
Power output	1'000 kW
Electric system(s)	15 kV  16.7 Hz AC
UIC classification	Bo'2'2'Bo' / Bo'2'2'2'Bo'
Track gauge	1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in)
Notes/references

A BLS RABe 525 Nina train in Langnau im Emmental railway station

A BLS RABe 535 Lötschberger in multiple unit with a Nina

Design

The articulated trainset was designed to be built with from two to six sections and with two to six motorized axles. The 3 car units have a length of 47.7 metres (156 ft 6 in), they are 3,030 millimetres (9 ft 11 in) wide and 4,315 millimetres (14 ft 1.9 in) tall. It has 20 first class seats and 114 second class seats aswell as 70 standing places. The 4 car units have a length of 61.9 metres (203 ft 1 in), they are 3,030 millimetres (9 ft 11 in) wide and 4,315 millimetres (14 ft 1.9 in) tall. It has 20 first class seats and 159 second class seats aswell as 85 standing places.The design speed is 140 km/h (87 mph).

Named units

BLS initially named the NINA after bodies of water. Later, "Wankdorf" was added as a stop and "Konolfingen" was the first place with a coat of arms. After the refit, two more NINAs were baptised with the coats of arms of towns.

Only the baptised vehicles are listed:

Unit	Name	Image
525 001	La Thielle/Zihl [1]
525 002	Schwarzwasser [1]
525 003	Emme [1]
525 004	La Broye [1]
525 005	Aare [1]
	Menznau [2]
525 006	Gürbe [1]
	Willisau [2]
525 007	Gäbelbach [1]
	Huttwil [2]
525 008	La Sarine/Saane [1]
525 009	Schwarzsee [1]
525 010	Gerzensee [1]
	LINA
525 011	Müntschemier [2]
525 012	Mühleberg [2]
525 013	Konolfingen [1] [2]
525 014	Wohlensee [1]
525 017	Grabebach [1]
525 018	Thunersee [1]
525 020	Scherlibach [1]
525 022	Worble [1]
525 026	Chräbsbach [1]
525 027	Glütschbach [1]
525 028	La Bibera/Bibere [1]
525 033	Wankdorf [1] [3]

¹ Baptism name removed after modernisation

² Municipal coat of arms instead of rivers

³ Station instead of river

Operation

The RABe 525 is used on the following routes:

• S36 Lyss–Büren an der Aare
• S42 Hasle-Rüegsau–Konolfingen–Thun
• S43 Konolfingen–Thun
• S44/S45 Thun–Belp–Bern–Burgdorf–Ramsei-Sumiswald-Grünen
• S46 Solothurn–Burgdorf–Ostermundigen
• S5 Bern–Kerzers–Neuchâtel + Murten/Morat–Payerne
• S6/S7 Lucerne–Wolhusen–Huttwil–Langenthal
• S77 Lucerne–Wolhusen–Willisau
• RE2 Domodossola–Brig–Visp

Refit program

Between 2015 and 2019, BLS modernised its entire Nina fleet. The 1st class is no longer be in the high-floor compartment, but has been moved to the low-floor area. The lighting has also been adapted so that all compartments are well lit. The toilets were also be slightly adapted. A standing area was created in 2nd class and the colour scheme inside and outside the vehicles was standardised so that all trains have the same design. The refit was completed in June 2019.

Bibliography

• Josef Stöckli, Hans Vorburger: Die Niederflur-Nahverkehrs-Pendelzüge RABe 525 „NINA“ der BLS, TMR und TRN. In: Eisenbahn-Revue International, Heft 2/2003, ISSN 1421-2811, S. 68–79.

External links

• Media related to Bombardier NINA at Wikimedia Commons
• Vehicle description of RABe 525 from the BLS web site