Swiss Traction

Switzerland is set in the heart of Europe, and as such is host to a vast number of both passenger and freight workings, with locomotives from various different countries visiting. The Swiss railways are made up of lots of different small companies that run on both standard and narrow gauge, with the main operator being SBB, who run a large variety of different locos from vintage electric Re 4/4 locomotives through to the modern Class 460 locomotives. Both types of locomotives can be seen on passenger work with the Re 4/4 also at home on freight workings. There are also various other classes of locomotives used on freight work. Of the smaller operators, the most well known, and biggest, is BLS, who operate both passenger and freight workings, centred on Bern, and whose locomotives can be seen running in Italy and Germany. Another well-known of the smaller operators is RhB, who operate on narrow gauge tracks to the east of the country, mainly around Chur, running both passenger and freight workings.