SBB RABDe 12/12
The RABDe 12/12 is a threepart electric multiple unit used for commuter traffic by the Swiss Federal Railways, SBB. The trains were put into service in the late 1960s and were in S-Bahn service around Zurich until December 2008.
Introduction
For the introduction of more frequent service on the "Golden Coast Line" Zurich–Meilen–Rapperswil, 20 electric multiple units RABDe 12/12 were put into service in 1967 to be able to maintain the tight schedule with the frequent stops. They consist of two second class end cars and a first class car with mail compartment in between. They originally had a claret livery, which was an exception at that time. They got the nickname "Golden Coast Express", due to their service on the Golden Coast. With the introduction of the new double-decker S-Bahn trains in the 1990s, they lost their prestigious role and were subsequently used on lines with low passenger frequencies. The trains, which were all modernized in the 1990s, remained in S-Bahn service until December 2008. The last trainset was scrapped in 2010.Operation
The trainsets are equipped with automatic +GF+ couplers, allowing for economic operation. The three cars of a trainset are short-coupled and cannot be separated in regular service. Due to the low capacity of a single trainset, they are often used in pairs nowadays ; up to four trainsets can be coupled together and be driven using multiple unit train control.Technology
The trains use conventional transformer technology with fixed running notches, which can be felt by the passengers while the train is accelerating, and are equipped with regenerative brakes. They feature an automatic speed control system, which allows the engineer to simply select the desired speed while the train chooses the running notches automatically, accelerating, decelerating or maintaining speed as desired.Accidents / Changes in designation / Revisions
Of the original 20 trainsets, four of them were badly damaged in two accidents in 1971. Trainsets 1119 and 1109 collided at Herrliberg, 1117 and 1113 at Uetikon. Both collisions damaged two end cars and one middle car each, which had to be scrapped. Four "new" units were built from the surviving parts and two uninvolved trainsets 1106 and 1111, resulting in the trainsets 1109II and 1113II, while trainset 1120 was renumbered to 1117II.All 18 remaining trainsets were rebuilt after 30 years of service in the course of a total revision. They were renumbered according to the new Swiss numbering scheme to RABDE 510 000- 510 017, got a new livery in NPZ-colors and automatic doors.