SBB-CFF-FFS Re 420


The Re 420, originally Re 4/4II, series are the most common electric locomotives of the Swiss Federal Railways. They are used for passenger services throughout Switzerland alone or in pairs. For freight services, they are sometimes paired with the Re 620, especially in mountainous regions. That pairing is referred to by the term Re 10/10. The Re 430, originally known as the Re 4/4III, are a derivative of the Re 420 modified for higher traction but lower speed.
The Re 420 locomotives were produced over a period of 21 years, from 1964 to 1985.
Re 4/4III Subseries:
When Südostbahn had the opportunity to buy one of the first batch of 50 Re 4/4II locomotives before delivery, it had the gear modified for higher traction and lower speed for the steep routes of the SOB. This locomotive was delivered as number 41. Based on the SOB experience, the SBB ordered a batch of 20 Re 4/4III in 1969 for use on the Gotthard route ordered a total of five Re 4/4III which were working as Re 436 111–115 for Crossrail AG until that company was dissolved in 2017. Re 436 111, 112, 114 & 115 were sold to Widmer Rail Services AG in 2017.
Six Re 4/4II were equipped with a wider pantograph wiper in order to conform with DB and ÖBB standards, which allowed these units to operate EuroCity trains over the border to Bregenz and Lindau. These workings are now covered by the last series, 11371 to 11397, which were rebuilt for use in Germany and Austria, not only with a different pantograph but also Indusi and other things necessary for use abroad. These locomotives are classified Re 421 and are lettered for SBB Cargo but also pull passenger trains to Bregenz and Lindau.
30 locomotives of the passenger division will be rebuilt for peak hour services with double deck cars in S-Bahn Zürich, starting in 2011. A consist will be built up by 6 or 10 double deckers plus one locomotive at each end.
On 1 September 1999 locomotives 11101-155, 181, 191–270 and 299–304 were assigned to SBB passenger division, 11156–171, 11173–180, 11182–190, 11271–298, 11305–311, 11313–349 and 11371–397 to freight division. At the end of 2002 11172" ex-MThB joined the passenger fleet, one year later 11225–264 changed to SBB Cargo. At the end of 2004 11225–230 were changed against 11265–270 and six locomotives sold to BLS. One year later 11102–107 followed and were replaced in the passenger fleet by 11156–159, 161 and 164 from SBB Cargo.
12 locomotives have been withdrawn by 2010, 96 locomotives are owned by the passenger division, 6 by BLS and all others by SBB Cargo
11113 +31.08.04 accident Zurich Oerlikon 24.10.03
11172 I +31.12.78 accident Vaumarcus 09.12.78
11282 +31.12.75 head-on collision with Ae 4/7 10906 near Landquart
11312 +31.10.85 collision at Renens 14.09.85 with Ae 4/7 10940+11011
11323 +01.06.05 fire damage at Steinen 23.03.05
11382 +02.07.02 fire damage 31.01.2002
BLS 420 507-420 512
withdrawn September 2009 as surplus

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