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, four 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.
| RABe 525 | |
|---|---|
.jpg) BLS No. 029 at Hüswil in 2019 | |
| Stock type | Electric multiple unit |
| 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 |
|
| Capacity |
|
| Operators | BLS AG |
| Specifications | |
| Train length |
|
| Width | 3,030 mm (9.94 ft)[1] |
| Height | 4,315 mm (14.157 ft)[1] |
| Articulated sections | 3 or 4 |
| Wheel diameter | powered: 750/680 mm[1] non-powered: 630/560 mm[1] |
| Wheelbase | powered: 2500 mm[1] non-powered: 2700 mm[1] |
| Maximum speed | 140 km/h (87 mph) |
| Weight |
|
| Traction system | 3-phase (IGBT-VVVF)[1] |
| Traction motors | 4-pole asynchronous 3-phase motor[1] |
| Power output | 4× 256 kW[1] |
| Tractive effort | 105 kN[1] |
| Acceleration | 1,2 m/s2[1] |
| Deceleration | 1,3 - 1,9 m/s2[1] |
| Electric system(s) | 15 kV 16.7 Hz AC |
| UIC classification | Bo'2'2'Bo' / Bo'2'2'2'Bo' |
| Minimum turning radius | 100 m[1] |
| Track gauge | 1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in) |
| Notes/references | |
| [2] | |
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.[1] It has 20 first class seats and 114 second class seats as well 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 as well 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] | .jpg){kind=small} |
| 525 003 | Emme [1] | .jpg){kind=small} |
| 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] | .jpg){kind=small} |
| 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] | .jpg){kind=small} |
| 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] |  |
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.[3] The refit was completed in June 2019.[4]
References
Bibliography
External links
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