Source: de.wikipedia.org
Source: de.wikipedia.org
ABe 4/16 "Capricorn"
Vehicle type:
Registration country:
Railway companies:
In service:
from 2019
Era:
VI
Built by:
Gauge:
Metre gauge (1'000 mm)
Electric systems:
11 kV AC / 16,7 Hz
Current collectors:
Pantograph - Asymmetrical
Length over clutch (mm):
76'432 mm
Width (mm):
2'670 mm
Height (mm | over lowered pantograph):
3'780 mm
Tare weight (t):
119 t
Maximum speed (km/h):
120 km/h
Total number of seats (1st class seats / 2nd class seats / 3rd class seats / folding seats):
35x 1st class seats
129x 2nd class seats
18x folding seats
129x 2nd class seats
18x folding seats
2019
The ABe 4/16 "Capricorn" are operating since 2019.
At the time of the new trains introduction, many RhB trains were equipped with outdated
technical standards, including the middle buffer with two screw
couplings, heavy vacuum brakes, and a heating line operating at
only 320 volts, which necessitated a heating car for long,
air-conditioned trains.
The RhB launched the tender for 27x new trains on April 4th, 2015, with an option for 20x additional units, representing the largest rolling stock order in RhB's history at a value of 361 million Swiss francs. Six months after the initial order, the RhB commissioned the construction of 9x more Capricorn trains. With the approval of the new "Strategy 2030", the canton of Graubünden authorized the RhB to procure an additional 20x trainsets, increasing the total to 56x units, with plans to connect seasonal destinations such as Arosa, Disentis/Mustér and Scuol-Tarasp at half-hour intervals.
The rollout took place on April 15th, 2019, at the Stadler plant in Altenrhein, with the first unit delivered to Landquart on June 27th, 2019, for various tests. The first scheduled operations began with train unit ABe 4/16 3111 on June 17th, 2020, which was later named "Piz Ela" on October 9th, 2020, during a ceremony in Filisur. On November 25th, 2021, unit ABe 4/16 3133 was delivered, marking the 500th vehicle from Stadler to the RhB, and was specially decorated in a Champagne color and named "Piz Palü".
An order of 6x additional trains is also placed with Stadler for 66 million Swiss francs, raising the total order volume for these Capricorn trains to 62x vehicles. The last unit of the first series, ABe 4/16 3166, is scheduled to be delivered on June 6th, 2024, with the remaining six ordered units following by the end of 2025.
Each train set consists of a driving car housing the propulsion equipment, two intermediate cars, and a control car, providing 35x seats in 1st class and 129x in 2nd class. The units feature automatic couplings of the Schwab type at the driver ends, allowing for rapid coupling and decoupling of additional trainsets. During peak demand, up to four units can be coupled and operated together, resulting in a 300-meter train with a capacity of 688 seats.
The driving car contains only 2nd class seating compared to the ABe 4/16 3101 - 3105 "Allegra" models, and it includes a glass panel behind the driver's cab for visibility into the control area. This driving car is the only one in the fleet that is not low-floor. The traction system uses a group drive per bogie, and due to frequent multiple traction use, complete redundancy was omitted for cost efficiency. Energy conservation efforts led to the installation of air-cooled transformers instead of oil-cooled ones in the trainsets. The Capricorn trains are equipped with a compressed air brake and, like all modern traction vehicles featuring three-phase drive technology, include a regenerative brake. A resistance brake is available to mitigate network voltage drops. The driving car has an axle load of 10.8 tons and a tare weight of 42 tons, contributing to the protection of the relatively light meter-gauge track.
Both intermediate cars are exclusively 2nd class, with one featuring a multifunctional compartment and a wheelchair-accessible toilet, while the other has a non-accessible restroom. The axle load for the intermediate cars ranges from 5.5 to 6.1 tons. The control car is exclusively 1st class, allowing passengers to observe the driver via a viewing window. The driver’s cab is equipped with cameras facing the track, transmitting images to the passenger area. The bogie facing the train has an axle load of 5.6 tons. To minimize derailment risk from avalanches or mudslides, the leading bogie features a longer wheelbase of 2.0 meters instead of the standard 1.8 meters, with an axle load of 7.5 tons achieved through strategic placement of heavy equipment.
Following the delivery of the first 36x trainsets, the RhB retired around 100 older passenger cars, with the Ge 4/4I and Ge 6/6II models being deemed surplus, and the fleet of Ge 4/4II units being reduced.
The RhB launched the tender for 27x new trains on April 4th, 2015, with an option for 20x additional units, representing the largest rolling stock order in RhB's history at a value of 361 million Swiss francs. Six months after the initial order, the RhB commissioned the construction of 9x more Capricorn trains. With the approval of the new "Strategy 2030", the canton of Graubünden authorized the RhB to procure an additional 20x trainsets, increasing the total to 56x units, with plans to connect seasonal destinations such as Arosa, Disentis/Mustér and Scuol-Tarasp at half-hour intervals.
The rollout took place on April 15th, 2019, at the Stadler plant in Altenrhein, with the first unit delivered to Landquart on June 27th, 2019, for various tests. The first scheduled operations began with train unit ABe 4/16 3111 on June 17th, 2020, which was later named "Piz Ela" on October 9th, 2020, during a ceremony in Filisur. On November 25th, 2021, unit ABe 4/16 3133 was delivered, marking the 500th vehicle from Stadler to the RhB, and was specially decorated in a Champagne color and named "Piz Palü".
An order of 6x additional trains is also placed with Stadler for 66 million Swiss francs, raising the total order volume for these Capricorn trains to 62x vehicles. The last unit of the first series, ABe 4/16 3166, is scheduled to be delivered on June 6th, 2024, with the remaining six ordered units following by the end of 2025.
Each train set consists of a driving car housing the propulsion equipment, two intermediate cars, and a control car, providing 35x seats in 1st class and 129x in 2nd class. The units feature automatic couplings of the Schwab type at the driver ends, allowing for rapid coupling and decoupling of additional trainsets. During peak demand, up to four units can be coupled and operated together, resulting in a 300-meter train with a capacity of 688 seats.
The driving car contains only 2nd class seating compared to the ABe 4/16 3101 - 3105 "Allegra" models, and it includes a glass panel behind the driver's cab for visibility into the control area. This driving car is the only one in the fleet that is not low-floor. The traction system uses a group drive per bogie, and due to frequent multiple traction use, complete redundancy was omitted for cost efficiency. Energy conservation efforts led to the installation of air-cooled transformers instead of oil-cooled ones in the trainsets. The Capricorn trains are equipped with a compressed air brake and, like all modern traction vehicles featuring three-phase drive technology, include a regenerative brake. A resistance brake is available to mitigate network voltage drops. The driving car has an axle load of 10.8 tons and a tare weight of 42 tons, contributing to the protection of the relatively light meter-gauge track.
Both intermediate cars are exclusively 2nd class, with one featuring a multifunctional compartment and a wheelchair-accessible toilet, while the other has a non-accessible restroom. The axle load for the intermediate cars ranges from 5.5 to 6.1 tons. The control car is exclusively 1st class, allowing passengers to observe the driver via a viewing window. The driver’s cab is equipped with cameras facing the track, transmitting images to the passenger area. The bogie facing the train has an axle load of 5.6 tons. To minimize derailment risk from avalanches or mudslides, the leading bogie features a longer wheelbase of 2.0 meters instead of the standard 1.8 meters, with an axle load of 7.5 tons achieved through strategic placement of heavy equipment.
Following the delivery of the first 36x trainsets, the RhB retired around 100 older passenger cars, with the Ge 4/4I and Ge 6/6II models being deemed surplus, and the fleet of Ge 4/4II units being reduced.
Sources: https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/RhB_ABe_4/16_3111–3172#cite_note-13
2022
July 9
On July 9th, 2022, during test runs in the Vereinatunnel, trainset
ABe 4/16 3113 achieved a peak speed of 163.02
km/h, setting a European record for meter-gauge trains, with the
train traveling smoothly without significant vibrations on the
straight tunnel section.
Sources: https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/RhB_ABe_4/16_3111–3172#cite_note-13
2022
October 29
On October 29th, 2022, the RhB operated the longest passenger
train in the world using 25x Capricorn trainsets. This formation
consisted of trainsets ABe 4/16 3111 through
ABe 4/16 3145, covering approximately 25 km from
the Albulatunnel at Preda over the Landwasser Viaduct to Alvaneu.
The total train composition measured 1'906 meters in length and
accommodated 4'550 passengers, managed by seven train drivers
communicating via civil defense field phones. This descent spanned
a vertical drop of 789 meters, and due to its total weight of about
2'990 tons, the train operated at a speed of only 30 to 35 km/h,
ensuring that the use of regenerative brakes did not overload the
power grid. This event garnered significant attention across
Switzerland. The occasion coincided with the celebrations for "175
Years of Swiss Railways" and served as a promotional effort for the
narrow-gauge passenger service.
Sources: https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/RhB_ABe_4/16_3111–3172#cite_note-13
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Latest update on the 23rd of January 2025 at 22:33
Contributor(s): Tudor C.
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ABe 4/16 "Capricorn" miniature models:
RhB - ABe 4/16 "Capricorn" electric multiple unit
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Article numbers: 7445103, 7745103
Expected: 4th Quarter 2025
RhB - ABe 4/16 "Capricorn" electric multiple unit
Manufacturer: BEMO
Article numbers: 7445113, 7745113
Expected: 4th Quarter 2025
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