Red arrow

The red Flèche is a famous type of motorized of the Swiss federal Railroads (SBB-CFF-FFS).

History

In the the Thirties, the CF planned to make build motorized vehicles to ensure passenger transport on the lines low frequentation. Several specimens were built, but the stage of the Prototype will not be exceeded. Hoped profitability was not reached and of too many breakdowns were right of the project, and the vehicles were allotted to transport of groups and organized voyages.

Various configurations were studied: single or double case, 2nd or 3rd class. In 1935, much of regional lines were not yet suited to the electric Traction, and one decided to produce two “Arrows” with thermal traction which were electrified about fifteen years later. One tends to call the red Arrows “Autorail S”, but only of the completely autonomous machines, therefore with thermal traction and not depending on a contact system, can be regarded as such. Only the two above mentioned specimens can thus claim under rail-car.

At the time of their construction, the CF wished to apply to their motorized vehicles one delivered bright red in order to distinguish them more easily. This delivered, applied to these prototypes, and their maximum speed of 125 km/h (what at the time was fast for the regional service) decided on their nickname of “red Arrows”.

Under-series

RAe 2/4 1001 and 1002

Built in 1935 - 1936 (Key 2/4 201 and 202), numbered thereafter RBe 2/4 601-602, then 1001-1002 and reclassified in 1956 during the suppression of the 3rd class.

Length except plugs: 25 200 mm
weight: 41 T
power: 394 kw (536 CV)
maximum speed: 125 km/h

Destinies:

1001: convey historical.
1002: outage in 1984.

RBe 2/4 1003 to 1007

Built in 1935 - 1938, at the origin in third class, these Key 2/4, then RCe 2/4 were reclassified RBe 2/4 in 1956.

Length except plugs: 22 400 mm
weight: 38 T
power: 394 kw (536 CV])
maximum speed: 125 km/h

Destinies:

1003: yielded to the Swiss Museum of transport.
1004 to 1006: outages between 1966 and 1974.
1007: sold with the railroad OeBB (Oensingen - Balsthal - Bahn). It raised some time one delivered blue, from where its nickname of “blue Arrow”, before finding its color of origin.

RCm 2/4 1008 and 1009

This under-series used initially the thermal traction (CLm 2/4). Built in 1935, converted with the electric Traction between 1951 and 1953 (RCe 2/4 1008 and 1009) and reclassified RBe 2/4 into 1956. They were recognizable with their caps different lengths (and until their transformation, with the absence of Pantographe!)

Length except plugs: 23 380 mm
weight: 40 T
power: 240 kw (327 CV)
maximum speed: 110 km/h

Destinies:

put except service in 1964.

RAe 2/4 1010 “Arrow of the the Jura”

Built in 1938, it is connected technically with the red arrows but differs by its design (not of cap) and its color.

Length except plugs: 22 620 mm
weight: 44 T
power: 440 kw (600 CV)
maximum speed: 110 km/h

Destiny:

put except service in 1977.

RAe 4/8 1021 “Churchill”

Double arrow built in 1939. It acueillit the British Prime Minister Winston Churchill at the time of an official visit and kept its nickname in this honor.

Length except plugs: 46 200 mm
weight: 93 T
power: 835 kw (1 140 CV)
maximum speed: 150 km/h

Destiny:

put except service in 1979, then repurchased by MThB (Mittelthurgaubahn, railroad of the average country thurgovien), renovated, and taken again by the CF during the bankruptcy of MThB (2003).
historical vehicle, possibility of renting it for a special train.

RAe 4/8 1022 and 1023

Double arrows built in 1953, they do not have the so typical caps with the red arrows.

Length except plugs: 46 900 mm
weight: 88 T
power: 1 015 kw (1 380 CV)
maximum speed: 125 km/h

Destiny:

put except service in 1979 and 1985.

railway Model making

Their so typical silhouette and their color (and the fact that it was not necessary to the parents to buy other coaches!) made that rapidements manufacturers of reduced models proposed some with their catalog. It is the case, inter alia, of Märklin or HAG.

External bonds

the site of SBB-Historic, foundation for the historical heritage of the CF
red Photographs of arrows on Photographs-trains.ch

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