BLS RABe 528
Swiss passenger trainset
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The BLS RABe 528, also known as MIKA,[a] is a class of passenger electric multiple unit manufactured by Stadler Rail for BLS AG. It is a derivative of the Stadler FLIRT and began entering service in 2021. It is comparable to the Traverso of Südostbahn.
- 101–130 (RegioExpress)
- 201–228 (S-Bahn)
| BLS RABe 528 | |
|---|---|
BLS No. 105 at Burgdorf in 2022 | |
 Second class seating area | |
| In service | 2021–present |
| Manufacturer | Stadler Rail |
| Number built | 58 |
| Fleet numbers |
|
| Capacity | 275 seated + 200 standees |
| Operator | BLS AG |
| Specifications | |
| Train length | 104,900 mm (344.2 ft) |
| Width | 2,880 mm (9.45 ft) |
| Height | 4,260 mm (13.98 ft) |
| Articulated sections | 6 |
| Maximum speed | 160 km/h (99 mph) |
| Electric system | 15 kV 16.7 Hz AC |
| UIC classification | Bo’Bo’2’2'2’Bo’Bo’ |
| Track gauge | 1,435 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 ft 1+15⁄16 in) long. Cars are 2,880 mm (9 ft 5+3⁄8 in) wide and 4,260 mm (13 ft 11+11⁄16 in) 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]
Naming
It is common customs for Swiss railway companies to name their locomotives (e.g. SBB Re 620, BLS Re 465) and MUs (e.g. SBB RABe 501, SOB RABe 526, BLS RABe 515, BLS RABe 525). Ten BLS RABe 528 are named after communes in the Swiss cantons of Bern, Lucerne and Neuchâtel, while two additional ones are named after communes in the Italian state of Piedmont. Each train bears the commune's coat of arms (COA) below the driver's window. The list below contains only named trainsets with their respective number (№).[6][7] As of 2025[update], RABe 528 110 has a special livery of Kambly.[8]
| № | COA | Name | № | COA | Name | № | COA | Name | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 528 101 |  | Luzern | 528 114 |  | Frutigen | 528 120 |  | Wimmis | ||
| 528 104 |  | Entlebuch | 528 012 |  | Brig-Glis | 528 122 |  | Erlenbach im Simmental | ||
| 528 110 |  | Trubschachen | 528 118 | Commune di Varzo | 528 123 |  | Boltigen | |||
| 528 111 |  | La Chaux-de-Fonds | 528 119 |  | Città di Domodossola | 528 202 |  | Neuenegg | ||
