Rhaetian Railway ABe 4/4 I
As ABe 4/4 I (RhB ) are referred to the electric multiple units used on the Bernina line with numbers 30 to 38 ( motrice trenta ) in the Rhaetian Railway. They originated in the years 1946-53 by conversion of vehicles of model years 1908-11. Since 1988-90, when the RhB ABe were / 4 III put into operation 4, the use of old railcars in passenger traffic has declined sharply. But they were in the summer still indispensable, and came mostly before the train 1642 used. Since the commissioning of the first new Allegra trainsets in spring 2010 can be dispensed with the scheduled use of the ABe 4/4 I.
In June 2010, were still five copies operable available:
- Two yellow painted nostalgic locomotive 30 and 34,
- Three cabooses 9922-24.
Railcar of the Bernina Railway (BB)
The Bernina Railway opened in 1908 procured from manufacturers SIG and Alioth total of 17 EMUs in two series. The 13.93 m long BCe 4/4 of the first series ( numbers 1 to 14 ) had 12 seats in the second and 31 in the third car class. The 14.66 m long motor coach of the second series ( numbers 21 to 23) accounted for seven third-class seats in favor of a luggage compartment (in which seven folding seats were available though), so the type designation was Bcfe 4/4. ( written were the names respectively as Bce4 BCFe4. ) The electrical equipment was the same for all vehicles; they made 220 kW at 22 km / h Compared to the time preferred green and gray tones she stood out with her yellow coat, black and red shadow font and eye-catching red route signs significantly. Because some superstitious passengers avoided the carriage 13, he received in 1921 the number 15
Conversion by the RhB
With the Bernina Railway RhB took over in 1943 their aging fleet. With up to 35 years of operation, although the life span of the vehicles had not been reached, but want to let their performance left. However, the vehicles lined not the only investment needs dar. why was waived on the purchase of new railcars; however, began the RhB to modernize the existing rolling stock in its own workshops Landquart and Poschiavo. In all 17 railcars previously arranged under the floor acceleration and braking resistors were added to the roof, the side walls partially extended ( aprons) and the box welded plates. A pantograph replaced one of the two outdated Lyrabügel.
Nine motor cars were a completely new electrical equipment; the power increased to 395 kW, in the later conversions even at 440 kW. Thus, the permissible trailer load couldn t doubled to 40 and the maximum speed of 45 km / h to 55 km / h can be increased. The converted vehicles received the new numbers 30-38 ( see table).
The also merged during the Second World War with the RhB Chur- Arosa line had only 6 railcars, which was insufficient for the growing winter sport traffic. Since the Bernina railway traffic peak in the summer was, it was possible to give each some railcars to Chur in winter. To this end, built the RhB 1946-47 the railcar 31 to 34 to dual-voltage vehicles to. Added to this was a completely new electrical equipment, stages hop and more powerful engines of SAAS for insertion, and a compressed air braking system for the railcar itself, the train still had to be slowed down with a vacuum. 1953 yet was followed by a fifth railcar, the number 30, for use on the up in 1997 with DC -powered Arosa line the converted motor cars were a recuperation. The presence of stages hops allowed in addition later installation of a multiple unit control.
The other modernized vehicles 35 to 38 received only one electrical equipment for the Bernina Railway and no air compressor. Instead of the SAAS -hopper MFO multi-stage controller were installed. On the other hand allowed the waiver of the two-voltage equipment provides increased horsepower.
The remaining eight vehicles retained their old traction motors and numbers. Your output could be increased by improving the ventilation of the traction motors to 350 kW.
In 1956 the third class was abolished, the BCe 4/4 to Abe 4 /4 and the BCFE 4/4 to ABFE 4/4, since 1961 ABDe 4/4 were.
The greater part of the railcars received a fully welded sheet metal sheathing over time. The window corners are rounded down also.
Coloring
The Bernina Railway opened in 1908 procured from manufacturers SIG The railcars were received by the Bernina Railway with a yellow paint into the insert. After the merger, this paint was first replaced by green / cream, towards the end of the fifties several railcars were all green. During the 1960s painted red, retained some railcars the old paint in green or green / cream until its scrapping.
The two railcars 30 and 34 were painted yellow in the years 2000 and 2001 and outwardly approximated to the original state. As nostalgic vehicles they come for special rides and also in the summer peak traffic used. Serve with the cars C 114, the club has 1889 restored and furnished as food carts, as well as the BC 110, which was closer to the original state and in the interior.