- SBB-CFF-FFS RABDe 500
The ICN (short for Intercity-Neigezug, German for Intercity Tilting Train), Series SBB RABDe 500, is a Swiss
high-speed train which debuted onMay 28 ,2000 , in time forExpo.02 held in western Switzerland in2002 . Its maximum velocity tops out at 200 km/h; realisation of services of this speed is planned for the near future. It was a joint development ofBombardier ,SBB-CFF-FFS andAlstom The ICN runs often with two complete compositions, each with seven carriages, including a dining car (which actually forms part of 2nd class). Four of the seven carriages are second class. In first class, some compartments feature electric power supply sockets and mobile phone reception enhancers. It was one of the first trains to feature passageways between the different compartments without any kind of door between the carriages.
The ICN came into service with a delay caused by the lack of supplies from
ADtranz . Nevertheless, its rolling stock was fully in use by the time of the expo, and now there is enough rolling stock to let it be used on more than one line at the same time.The ICN is run by Swiss Federal Railways. Pricing for train tickets carries no surcharges.
ervices
The ICN began service on
May 28 ,2000 , with services fromSt. Gallen viaWinterthur ,Zürich ,Biel/Bienne through toLausanne .Services have now expanded to other areas of Switzerland, including
Kreuzlingen ,Basel andGeneva .Two trains run every hour, alternating between:
St. Gallen ,Zürich ,Biel/Bienne through toGeneva Airport orLausanne ;Basel ,Biel/Bienne through toLausanne orGeneva Airport .Expo.02
Trainsets 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 literature writers. In each train composition, a brief introduction of the featured writer was placed near the door.Technical Information
The ICN 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 firstclass cars and the restaurant car are spared the electrical noises from the asynchronous motors. The ICN has a top speed of 200km/h. It operates at 200km/h on the HighSpeed Line Bern-Olten under the supervision ofETCS .
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