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The RABDe 500 (often nicknamed ICN for Intercity-Neigezug, German for Intercity Tilting Train, the train category for which these trains are used), is a Swiss passenger train which was introduced in 2000, in time for Expo.02 held in western Switzerland in 2002. Its maximum speed is 200 km/h (120 mph), which can be reached on the Mattstetten–Rothrist new line; however, as of 2011 the RABDe 500 is not currently used on this line, except on the branch to Solothurn. It was a joint development by Bombardier, Swiss Federal Railways and Alstom, with an aerodynamic body designed by Pininfarina. Forty-four RABDe 500 trains with a total of 308 coaches were delivered to SBB-CFF-FFS between 1999 and 2005.
Contents
The RABDe 500 often run with two complete compositions, each with seven carriages, both including a dining car (which forms part of 1st class). Four of the seven carriages are second class. In first class, some compartments have electric power supply sockets and mobile phone reception enhancers.
The introduction of the RABDe 500 was delayed by a lack of supplies from ADtranz. Nevertheless, its rolling stock was fully in use by the time for the Expo.
The RABDe 500 trains are operated by Swiss Federal Railways.
Services
The RABDe 500 was put into service on 28 May 2000, with services from St. Gallen via Winterthur, Zürich and Biel/Bienne to Lausanne.
As of December 2009, the RABDe 500 provides ICN services on the following lines:
Expo.02
Train sets used for the Expo.02 national exposition in Switzerland carried a typewriter-font "permettre le futur" text on the outside of the train along with literary quotes from various prominent Swiss writers. In each train composition, a brief introduction of the featured writer was placed near the door.
Technical Information
The RABDe 500 is an electrical multiple unit - there is no locomotive in the classical sense. The Motors are located under the second class cars (2 front and 2 end cars of each trainset). The first class cars and the restaurant car are spared the electrical noises from the asynchronous motors.
The RABDe 500 can operate at up to 200 km/h when under ETCS level 2 supervision, and 160 km/h if the line is equipped with conventional signalling.
Naming
All forty-four RABDe 500 trains are named after famous Swiss scholars, artists, writers, politicians, engineers, and architects. Each RABDe 500 bears the portrait of its namesake, painted by Bernese painter Martin Fivian, in the first class coach No 3; in addition, plaques with short biographical information can be found at every entrance.
List of names: