BLS RABe 528

The BLS RABe 528, also known as MIKA,[lower-alpha 1] 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 service2021–present
ManufacturerStadler Rail
Number built58
Fleet numbers
  • 101–103 (RegioExpress)
  • 201–228 (S-Bahn)
Capacity275 seated + 200 standees
Operator(s)BLS AG
Specifications
Train length104,900 mm (344.2 ft)
Width2,880 mm (9.45 ft)
Height4,260 mm (13.98 ft)
Articulated sections6
Maximum speed160 km/h (99 mph)
Electric system(s)15 kV  16.7 Hz AC
UIC classificationBo’Bo’2’2'2’Bo’Bo’
Track gauge1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in)
Notes/references
[1]

History

BLS 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

Each 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 (344.2 ft) long. Cars are 2,880 mm (9.45 ft) wide and 4,260 mm (13.98 ft) 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
  1. German: moderner, innovativer, kompakter Allroundzug, lit. 'modern, innovative, compact all-round train'[2]

References
  1. "New BLS FLIRT Unveiled". Railvolution. 10 September 2020. Retrieved 18 December 2022.
  2. BLS (29 November 2022). "Charterzüge: RABe 528 «MIKA» - Charter & Flotte". BLS (in German). Retrieved 18 December 2022.
  3. "Mega-Deal der Privatbahn - BLS kauft Stadler-Züge für 650 Millionen". Schweizer Radio und Fernsehen (in German). 2 May 2017. Retrieved 18 December 2022.
  4. BLS (3 August 2016). "Rollmaterialbeschaffung - Neue Züge für sorgloses Reisen - BLS AG". BLS (in German). Retrieved 18 December 2022.
  5. BLS (12 August 2016). "BLS nimmt erste MIKA-Züge in Betrieb – 04.05.2021 – BLS AG". BLS (in German). Retrieved 18 December 2022.
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