BLS RABe 525
- 001–014, 028–030, 032–037 (3 car units)
- 015-027 (4 car units)
- 134 seated + 70 standees (3 car unit)
- 179 seated + 85 standees (4 car unit)
- 47.7 m (156 ft) (3 car unit)
- 61.9 m (203 ft) (4 car unit)
- 79 t (3 car unit)
- 96 t (4 car unit)
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.
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.[2] The refit was completed in June 2019.[3]
References
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
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