SBB RAe TEE II


The RAe TEE II, later known as RABe EC, is a type of high-speed electric multiple unit trainset of the Swiss Federal Railways, which was used from the 1960s until the 1980s on several Trans Europ Express services. After conversion from first-class-only to two-class configuration, the trainsets continued in use on EuroCity or other services until 1999.
It was designed to be compatible with four different railway electrification systems, used by various countries in Europe, allowing it to operate on long international routes. Like all TEE trains, the RAe TEE II trainsets were equipped with first-class accommodation only. A total of five trainsets were built, numbered 1051–1055. One, number 1053, has been preserved.

Operation

Trans Europ Express

These trains were originally used on the following services:
The trains ran in a 4-day circulation:
  1. Gottardo, Zürich – Milano, and Cisalpin, Milano – Paris
  2. Cisalpin, Paris – Milano
  3. Ticino, Milano – Zürich – Milano, and Gottardo, Milano – Zürich
  4. layover in Zurich
From 30 May 1965, the southbound Gottardo started from Basel, but nevertheless the northbound train still terminated in Zürich. This led to an empty run from Zürich to Basel. From 30 September 1979, this section was only served on weekdays, and on 23 May 1982 it was withdrawn entirely. During the summers of 1974–1979 the Gottardo was extended from Milano to Genova.
In 1974, the Cisalpin was converted to a locomotive-hauled train and the Ticino was discontinued, freeing up RAe sets for the following two TEE trains:
  • TEE Edelweiss, Zürich – Brussels – Amsterdam
  • TEE Iris, Zürich – Brussels
The last TEE Edelweiss ran on 26 May 1979, and the TEE Iris on 30 May 1981. The last international TEE until 1993—and the last TEE anywhere to use RAe TEE II trainsets—was the Gottardo, which ran as a Trans Europ Express for the very last time on 24 September 1988, from Milano to Zürich.

EuroCity and post-EC use

After their use on TEE services ended, the RAe TEE II sets were converted in 1988–90 to two-class trains, redesignated type RABe EC, repainted from red-and-cream to two-tone grey, and put into use on EuroCity services from Zürich to Milano and Geneva or Lausanne to Milano, as well as in non-EC service between Bern and Frasne, France. Their new livery earned them the nickname "souris gris", meaning "grey mouse". In May 1993, the RABe sets were taken off of the Simplon railway line service and the freed-up trainsets redeployed on a then-new Zürich to Stuttgart service.
The RABe sets were removed from EuroCity service in August 1994, after the derailment of one set on 22 July 1994initially an indefinite suspension of their use any services, which was later made a permanent withdrawal from use on EC services. Thereafter, they were employed only on two pairs of daily IC trains operating between Bern and Frasne, which was continuing in early 1996. The last three active sets were retired from regular service altogether in November 1999.

Preservation

One of the five RAe TEE II trainsets, No. 1053, has been preserved, and in 2003 it was restored by the SBB Historic foundation to red-and-cream TEE livery. In 2012–13, it received updates to allow it to continue to be operated. Its interior configuration remained unchanged from its circa 1989 conversion to RABe class.