45 million Francs for five motor-coaches – styled by Pininfarina
The Project
The size of the order for five, double cogwheel motor-coaches with the name POLARIS will cost almost 45 million francs. The new trains will be very customer friendly and equipped for the disabled. The trains have low floor entrances, a state of the art passenger information system and are faster and smoother. The new double motor-coaches are compatible with the trains currently in general use and can also be deployed in combination with these as multiple units. Furthermore, the on-board multi-purpose areas offer more storage space for winter sports equipment or bicycles. The doors are monitored by cameras for additional safety when boarding or disembarking.
Roll-in POLARIS, 01.09.2022
This content is delivered by a third-party provider that does not allow users to display the content without accepting targeting cookies. In order to access third-party content, please change your cookie settings for targeting cookies to "Yes".
This content is delivered by a third-party provider that does not allow users to display the content without accepting targeting cookies. In order to access third-party content, please change your cookie settings for targeting cookies to "Yes".
Design
The contract for the trains’ interior and exterior designs was given to the Italian design studio Pininfarina. The CEO of the BVZ Group, Fernando Lehner, underlines the importance of the new motor-coaches: “The new and faster vehicles play an important part in the further development strategy of the Gornergrat as a national and international top excursion destination.” They will be an addition to and replacement for the present trains, some of which are 57 years old and have reached the end of their working llives. Christian König, head of sales Switzerland at Stadler said: “We are delighted to be able to deliver the Gornergrat Railway with further cogwheel trains. On the panoramic line up to the Gornergrat future passengers will enjoy the view over Switzerland’s most beautiful mountain, the Matterhorn, in even more comfort. Our success in Zermatt strengthens Stadler’s cogwheel railway business – a niche in which Stadler is the global leader.”
Introduction
You can look forward to enjoying a trip up to the Gornergrat facing the Matterhorn in brand new trains in 2023. Right on time before Christmas 2019 the people responsible from Stadler and the BVZ Group, which belongs to the GGB, signed the contract for the manufacture and delivery of five, new double motor-coaches.
Close to the stars – BVZ Group names the trains with words associated with astronomy
By naming its train POLARIS, the BVZ is following the path taken a few years ago of naming its trains after terms from astronomy. POLARIS stands for the short form of ‘POpular LAndscape Railway In Switzerland’. The first time an astronomical designation was used was on the Matterhorn Gotthard Railway regional trains that went into service in 2007. These operate under the name KOMET. The abbreviation stands for ‘KOmfotabler MEterspur Triebzug’ (Comfortable meter-gauge motor-coach). The following trains will receive a similar name – ORION – ‘Optimaler Regionalzug im Oeffentlichen Nahverkehr’ (Optimal regional train in local public transport) and should be in use in 2023.
Information
Chronology
Project start/ needs analysis January 2018
Request for offers at Stadler Rail December 2018
Start of cooperation with Pininfarina October 2019
Signing of contracts with Stadler Rail 19.12.2019
Start of development January 2020
Start of production (shell) at Stadler Rail June 2021
Delivery of first vehicle to Zermatt 8. April 2022
Commissioning (test drives, schooling, instruction) April – August 2022
Operational testing on the line August/September 2022
Scheduled operation on the line Winter 2022
Cost of the 5 multi-unit vehicles CHF 45 million
Factsheet
Length 34.6 metres
Width 2.65 metres
Height 3.695 metres
Unladen weight 53 tonnes
Operating weight 69 tonnes
Speed Vmax 30km/h upwards; downwards series 3 (20km/h over 200%)
Seating accommodation 104 / 2 wheelchair places
Standing room 112 pax
Gauge 1 metre
Cogwheel system Abt (Carl Roman Abt 18.50_1933)
Manufacturer Stadler Rail, Bussnang
Design Pininfarina S.p.A
Type designation/number Bhe 4/6 3091-3095
Technical Specifications
2 driving bogies à 2 driven axles 4 cog wheels per vehicle
Rated voltage power supply 3x 725 AC / 50 Hz; power supply via 3 pairs of current
collectors
Two vehicles at a time can be joined to each other by means of automatic coupling and run as double traction with a length of approx. 70 metres.
The trains are equipped with active ventilation. In summer, the opening windows guarantee pleasant room temperatures. Lowered windows are also ideal for mirrorless photography.
Multifunctional area can be equipped with ski racks, bike racks or seating.
Passenger information system with a stop display and announcement.
Video system for door-area monitoring and vehicle front (blind spots).
Wi-Fi throughout the train - 2 220V power sockets by each 4-seat compartment.
Unique selling propostion
Exclusive design by Pininfarina S.p.A. #
Futuristically asymmetric cab front
Exclusively designed seating
Exclusive colour concept inside and out
Sustainability
Electric power: 100% renewable hydropower from the electricity works in Zermatt (EWZ)
Recuperation: Since the first journey on 20.8.1898, all vehicles on the Gornergrat Railway have been equipped with asynchronous machines as traction motors. These restore the unused energy during a downwards journey back to the overhead power lines so that upwards travelling trains can re-use the power. Thus, three trains travelling downhill supply the power for one to two upwards travelling trains.
Garaging: When the around 24 Gornergrat motor vehicles are parked in the 250 metre-long depot tunnel during the winter, the warmth of the earth will thaw any ice and snow and no additional heating is required. The average temperature in the tunnel is around 14 °C; in winter.
.jpg?fm=jpg&fl=progressive&f=center&fit=fill&q=45&h=115&w=204)
