• Source: BLS RABe 525

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.




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 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). The RABe 525 and 535 are technically equal in terms of traction equipment.




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. The refit was completed in June 2019.




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:

1 Baptism name removed after modernisation
2 Municipal coat of arms instead of rivers
3 Station instead of river




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

Kata Kunci Pencarian:

• BLS RABe 525
• BLS AG
• Bern S-Bahn
• Nina
• Bombardier Talent
• Bern-Lötschberg-Simplon-Bahn
• Lötschberg railway
• List of stock used by Swiss Federal Railways