Railway Sven

A CAT 4705 "Kiss 200" in front of the Stadler IBS in Erlen

Front three-quarter view of a CAT 4705 "Kiss 200" in front of the Stadler IBS in Erlen

Head-on shot of a CAT 4705 "Kiss 200" in front of the Stadler IBS in Erlen

Telephoto shot of a CAT 4705 "Kiss 200" in front of the Stadler IBS in Erlen

Two of CAT's three 4705 "Kiss 200" DDEMUs are currently at the Stadler IBS in Erlen. Like their predecessor, the 133.40 m long 5-car CAT Kiss 200 will feature an all-1st-class 2+1 seating layout, resulting in a capacity of only ~300 seats. Revenue service starts in November 2027

A RegionAlps RABe 533 "Flirt Evo" at St-Maurice train station

Close-up of a headlight of a RegionAlps RABe 533 "Flirt Evo" at St-Maurice train station. The new automotive inspired LED headlight graphic looks much more modern than previous generations

1st class cabin of a RegionAlps RABe 533 "Flirt Evo"

1st class seats inside a RegionAlps RABe 533 "Flirt Evo"

Late night ride on a brand new RegionAlps RABe 533 'Flirt Evo' 👌

Visually, the most noticeable change on the outside compared to previous Flirt generations is definitely the new headlight graphic. These lights were supplied by Schurter and are part of their TrenoLux family

Outside view of a BLS RABe 528 "Mika" waiting at Basel SBB for departure towards Biel/Bienne

Passenger information display on platform 20 of Basel SBB showing the details of the IR56 Basel SBB - Biel/Bienne connection

Interior view of the 1st class cabin inside a BLS RABe 528 "Mika" at Basel SBB

A 1st class seat from the type "Lihok" by seat manufacturer Kiel inside a BLS RABe 528 "Mika" at Basel SBB

New colours in Basel. Since the timetable change last December, BLS now operates the IR56 between Basel SBB and Biel/Bienne. For this route, BLS ordered an additional nine RABe 528 "Mika" EMUs in the RegioExpress configuration from Stadler Rail

Front three-quarter view of the CAT 4705 103 "Kiss 200" in front of the Stadler plant in St. Margrethen

View from the back of the front car of the CAT 4705 103 "Kiss 200" at the Stadler plant in St. Margrethen

Street level view of the side of the front car of the CAT 4705 103 "Kiss 200" in front of he Stadler plant in St. Margrethen

Side profile of a middle car of the CAT 4705 103 "Kiss 200" in front of the Stadler plant in St. Margrethen with mountains in the background

A CAT 4705 Kiss 200 at the Stadler plant in St. Margrethen. This plant is Stadler's competence center for double-decker EMUs. The SBB RABe 512 "IR-Dosto" and the ÖBB 4734/4736 "Cityjet Kiss", among others, are built here. And also the Kiss 200 for CAT, of which CAT has ordered 3

The Thurbo RABe 533 501 "Flirt Evo" at Wattwil station

Close-up of the front of the Thrubo RABe 533 501 "Flirt Evo" at Wattwil station

Overview of the 1st class interior of the Thrubo RABe 533 501 "Flirt Evo"

1st class seats in the Thurbo RABe 533 501 "Flirt Evo"

Since January 5th, the first RABe 533 "Flirt Evo" EMUs have been in trial operation on the S9, Wil SG - Wattwil. Regular service on the Thurbo network will begin in H2 2026, first on the S26, Winterthur - Rüti ZH. Thurbo has ordered a total of 107 units, with options for 40 more

I think so too. The first Stadler product with the 200 front-end was the RABe 526 "Traverso" in 2019

Yes, I agree. The new Kiss 200 front-end looks stunning

ÖBB says they will first be used on the Western Railway (Vienna - Salzburg) beginning in 2026, and then, upon the Semmering Base Tunnel's projected 2030 completion, also on the Southern Railway (Vienna - Graz)

Side profile of the front of an ÖBB 4706 at the Stadler Rail factory in Altenrhein

Low angle front three-quarter view of an ÖBB 4706 "Railjet Kiss" at the Stadler Rail factory in Altenrhein

Close-up of the front of an ÖBB 4706 "Railjet Kiss" at the Stadler Rail factory in Altenrhein

Side view of an end car of an ÖBB 4706 "Railjet Kiss" at the Stadler Rail factory in Altenrhein

A few more pictures

Front three-quarter view of an ÖBB 4706 "Railjet Kiss" at the Stadler Rail factory in Altenrhein

Three-quarter view of an ÖBB 4706 "Railjet Kiss" at the Stadler Rail factory in Altenrhein

Front side profile view of an ÖBB 4706 "Railjet Kiss" at the Stadler Rail factory in Altenrhein

Side view of an ÖBB 4706 "Railjet Kiss" at the Stadler Rail factory in Altenrhein

The first of 14 Stadler Kiss 200 for ÖBB's Railjet fleet outside the Stadler factory in Altenrhein. These are the first Kiss to feature the new Kiss 200 front-end design, though not the first capable of 200 km/h. They are expected to enter service on the Western Railway in 2026

While there's a massive difference between the two, the old units also definitely had their charm

Low angle front three-quarter view of a TransN ABe 4/8 in La Chaux-de-Fonds

A TransN ABe 4/8 waiting at platform 2 in La Chaux-de-Fonds for departure to Les Ponts-des-Martel

Front view of a TransN ABe 4/8 in La Chaux-de-Fonds

1st class cabin in a TransN ABe 4/8. The 1st class features 11 black leather seats

A new era for public transport in the Neuchâtel Jura. Since August, two Stadler ABe 4/8 meter-gauge EMUs have been running on the R22 La Chaux-de-Fonds - Les Ponts-de-Martel line. The new trains offer step-free access, A/C, power sockets and also for the first time a 1st class

An SBB RABe 512 "IR-Dosto" (left) stands beside an SBB RABe 511 "Regio-Dosto" (right) at Zurich main station, awaiting departure

12 years of evolution

In 2008, SBB signed a framework contract with Stadler for 50 RABe 511, which entered service in 2011. Subsequent orders followed in 2010 and 2015. The final order under this contract, placed in 2021, was for 60 upgraded RABe 512, which began service in 2023

Visible crash box of a Class 555 at the Stadler factory in St. Margrethen

The crash box is a component designed to absorb impact energy by deforming in a controlled manner during a collision. The horizontal ribs on the crash box, known as "anti-climbers," are meant to prevent one train from overriding another in the event of a crash

A black door of a Cityjet Kiss (4736)

Side profile of a whole carriage of a Cityjet Kiss (4736)

As is standard for regional services in Austria, the Cityjet Kiss will only offer 2nd class. They will feature all the amenities you would expect from a modern train, like step-free access, onboard Wi-Fi, power outlets, and spaces for bicycles

Front side profile of a Cityjet Kiss (4736) parked in Oberaach

Low angle shot of a Cityjet Kiss (4736) parked in Oberaach

Close-up of the side of a headlight of a Cityjet Kiss (4736)

The Cityjet Kiss features Stadler's latest Kiss 160 design, but with a much more sloped front that gives it a dynamic appearance. The Cityjet livery complements the Kiss's lines beautifully; I really dig it

Close-up of the front of a Cityjet Kiss (4736) with the coupler and the the front crash structures visible

Close-up of the ÖBB badge on the cover mounted at the end of the axle of a Cityjet Kiss (4736). The cover also has a remark for 100 years ÖBB (1923 - 2023)

The first Cityjet Kiss 160 units have been constructed and are now undergoing testing. Passenger services are anticipated to commence sometime in 2026

Low angle close-up of the front of a Cityjet Kiss (4736)

Three brake discs mounted on an axle of a Cityjet Kiss (4736)

The current order breakdown:

- Cityjet: 109 Kiss 160 units (4734, 4736)
- CAT: 3 Kiss 200 units (4705)
- Railjet: 14 Kiss 200 units (4706)

126 out of a possible 186 units have been ordered so far

Rendering of the Railjet Stadler Kiss 200 (4706)

Rendering of the CAT Stadler Kiss 200 (4705)

The Kiss 200 version will not only see an increase in top speed, but will also receive a redesigned front, improved pressure resistance, a revamped interior, and will of course, forego the Cityjet livery in favor of either the Railjet or CAT livery

Renderings by Stadler

The new Stadler logo painted on the side of a Cityjet Kiss (4736)

KISS 200:

Top Speed: 200 km/h
Service: Railjet long-distance, CAT Vienna airport service
Configurations:
- 5-car (4705): ~133 meters, seating capacity pending
- 6-car (4706): ~160 meters, 491 seats

Side profile of a Cityjet Kiss (4736) at the Stadler IBS in Erlen

Side view of a Cityjet Kiss (4736) parked in Oberaach

The Kiss for the ÖBB come in two different versions and three different lengths

KISS 160:
Top Speed: 160 km/h
Service: Cityjet regional
Configurations:
- 4-car (4734): 106.94 meters, 373 seats
- 6-car (4736): 159.86 meters, 593 seats

Side view of two carriages of a Cityjet Kiss (4736) at the Stadler IBS in Erlen with the pantograph clearly visible

Side view of a section of a carriage of a Cityjet Kiss (4736)

Since then, ÖBB has made 3 additional call-offs:

July 2023: 21 more 4-car Cityjet units and 14 6-car Railjet units, with a top speed of 200 km/h

October 2023: 3 5-car units for the CAT, also with a top speed of 200 km/h

Earlier this year: Another call-off for 47 Cityjet Kiss

Three-quarter view of a Cityjet Kiss (4736) parked in Oberaach

Close-up of a bogie of a Cityjet Kiss (4736)

In February 2022, the framework contract was successfully signed, and ÖBB placed its first call-off order in April of that year for 41 Cityjet units (20 6-car and 21 4-car units) destined for the eastern region

Head-on shot of a Cityjet Kiss (4736) parked in Oberaach

Close-up of the front of a Cityjet Kiss (4736) parked in Oberaach

Stadler initially secured the framework contract for up to 186 double-decker trains in September 2021, but an Austrian court later deemed the digital signature used on the contract invalid under EU law. Following a successful appeal by Stadler, the decision was overturned

Low angle shot of a Cityjet Kiss (4736) parked in Oberaach

Front three-quarter view of a Cityjet Kiss (4736) parked in Oberaach

Three-quarter view of a Cityjet Kiss (4736) parked in Oberaach

Front view of a Cityjet Kiss (4736) parked in Oberaach

ÖBB is currently making massive investments to modernize its fleet.
One of these projects are the new Stadler Kiss double-decker EMUs

A thread 🧵👇

The SOB RABe 526 010 "Tödi" in Uznach

SOB has named all 33 of its silver Flirt trains after mountains along its network. Fittingly, the Flirt 3 in this picture, named after the Tödi mountain in the Glarus Alps, is running on the S6 line. This line starts in the town of Linthal, nestled at the foot of the Tödi

A BVB Be 6/8 "Combino" at the terminus of line 8 in Weil am Rhein

Did you know trams can cross borders? In fact, Switzerland has four international tram lines: three around Basel (line 8 to Weil am Rhein, DE; line 3 to Saint-Louis, FR; and line 10, which briefly enters France en route to Rodersdorf), and one in Geneva (line 17 to Annemasse, FR)

An SBB RABe 502 waiting for departure at Zurich main station

With its extensive delays, rough ride, and omission of the costly WAKO active roll compensation system, the RAB(D)e 502 "FV-Dosto" stands as SBB's most notable misstep in recent years. Yet, it's undeniably good looking

An SBB RABe 501 "Giruno" waiting for departure at Zurich main station

The RABe 501 "Giruno" (or Stadler Smile) is the world's first low-floor high-speed train with distributed traction. It offers step-free access at 550mm and 760mm platforms, operating in CH, IT, and DE. SBB is currently the only customer having ordered 41 units, with 29 delivered

Three-quarter view of a TPF RBDe 560 "Domino" at Bulle station

In 2021, TPF acquired 11 RBDe 560 "Domino" from SBB to operate on the new S20/S21 lines of the RER Fribourg. As the oldest Dominos approach 40 years of service and the end of their lifespan, TPF plans to replace them with 18 new EMUs. The tender for these trains should start soon