In service Rhône Express Regional Constructed 1994 Number in service 5 | Built at Vevey Number built 5 | |
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Manufacturer Ateliers de Construction Mécaniques de Vevey | ||
The Bem 550 is a standard gauge EMU operated by Swiss Federal Railways on the Geneva - Bellegarde line. It is equipped to run with French electric power (1500DC) and signaling systems. They were built in 1994, based on the Lausanne metro line 1 EMUs, by ACMV (Ateliers de Constructions Mécaniques de Vevey) in Villeneuve, with electrical equipment provided by ABB.
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History
The Bem 550s (or Bem 4/6 as they were then known) were built to replace two aging and notoriously unreliable BDe 4/4 II railcars for the Geneva - la Plaine service, and introduced in 1995 under the Rhône Express Regional brand.
With increasing demand for both Geneva la Plaine and Geneva Bellegarde services, in 2001, the Bem550 were modified (at a cost of 12 million CHF) to allow them to run beyond la Plaine to Bellegarde.
Technical details
The Bem 550 consists of two carriages, each with three swing-out doors (two doors on one side, one door on the other). There is a driving position at each end, with a large windscreen and side windows. The driver sits on the right hand side in the direction of travel. The Bem 550 is equipped for one-handed operation, meaning that driver can drive and brake with one control. It draws traction current though a single-armed pantograph. It is also equipped with an 88 kW diesel engine to enable it to drive to maintenance and storage sheds under Swiss standard 15kV AC catenary. Prior to the UIC class name Bem550, they were called Bem 4/6.