The eight new cars, built by Stadler, will replace the previous ones dating from the 1930s and 1960s, the Pilatus Railway company said on Tuesday. The company plans to have them in service in time for the 2023 summer season (the rail line up to the 2,132 metre-high Pilatus summit runs from May to November each year).
While the new cars are no bigger than the old ones – due to the narrowness of the tunnels on the 4.6-kilometre stretch – they operate according to the same cog-wheel system, which has been in operation since the line was opened in 1889. However, they will be able to climb the mountain around 10 minutes faster than their predecessors.
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They also use around 30% energy than the current cars, largely thanks to a technology which can convert braking energy on the descent into electric energy to power the ascent.
The whole renewal of the fleet – as well as renovation work on the tracks – cost the company some CHF55 million ($55.7 million).
The Pilatus rail is the steepest cog-wheel line in the world, with some sections ramping up to a gradient of 48%.
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Swiss Federal Railways expands night-train service
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The latest Swiss train timetable, which came into effect on Sunday, provides new long-distance and regional connections.
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Viola Amherd has expressed her “deep shock” at the assassination attempt on Slovakian Prime Minister Robert Fico on Wednesday.
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A man injured half a dozen people with knives, two of them seriously, before being arrested on Wednesday in northern Switzerland.
Switzerland to introduce flight passenger database
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Switzerland plans to introduce a flight passenger database to collect and process personal data in a bid to combat terrorism and serious crime.
Government plans to invest over CHF16bn in Swiss rail network
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The federal government intends to invest CHF16.4 billion ($18.1 billion) in railway infrastructure between 2025 and 2028, CHF2 billion more than for the current period.
Swiss to vote on pension reform and biodiversity in September
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Swiss citizens will vote on occupational pension schemes and a biodiversity initiative on September 22, the Federal Council announced on Wednesday.
Ukraine peace talks: 50 countries have confirmed participation
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To date, 50 countries out 160 invited delegations have confirmed they will attend the Ukraine peace conference, held in central Switzerland in mid-June, according to Swiss public radio, RTS.
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Swiss panoramic train to debut in December
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The GoldenPass Express (GPX) panoramic train, which will link Montreux to Interlaken without any station changes, will make its debut on December 11.
Swiss railways celebrate anniversary with historic trains
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Celebrations have been launched to commemorate the 175th anniversary of the first time-table railway route in Switzerland.
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Swiss mechanical and electrical engineering sectors boosted by a significant rebound in export sales and new orders in the first half of 2021.
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