SBB RABe 501
{{Short description|2017 high-speed train by Stadler Rail}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2024}}
{{infobox train
| name = SBB RABe 501
| image = SBB Giruno by Stadler (47086627004).jpg
| caption = SBB RABe 501 at Erstfeld in 2019
| interiorimage = SBB 501 First Class Interior.jpg
| interiorcaption = First class interior
| stocktype =
| manufacturer = Stadler Rail
| yearconstruction = 2016–
| numberbuilt =
| formation =
| capacity = {{plainlist|
- 117 1st Class
- 286 2nd Class
- 4 Wheelchair spaces
}}
| operator = {{plainlist|
}}
| carbody = Aluminium
| trainlength = {{convert|202|m|ftin|abbr=on}}
| carlength = {{plainlist|
- {{convert|22.25|m|ftin|abbr=on}} (end carriages)
- {{convert|17.5|m|ftin|abbr=on}} (intermediate carriages)
}}
| width = {{convert|2.9|m|abbr=on}}
| height = {{convert|4255|mm|ftin|abbr=on}}
| lowfloor =
| floorheight = {{plainlist|
- {{convert|940|mm|in|abbr=on}} (low-floor)
- {{convert|1150|mm|in|abbr=on}} (high-floor)
}}
| platformheight =
| maxspeed = {{ubl|class=nowrap|
|{{cvt|200|or|250|km/h|abbr=on|round=5}}{{efn|{{cvt|200|km/h|abbr=on|round=5}} ({{cvt|230|km/h|abbr=on|round=5}} if delayed) in Switzerland, {{convert|250|km/h|mph|abbr=on|round=5}} outside of Switzerland.}}
}}
| weight = {{convert|380|t|abbr=on}} (unladen)
| wheeldiameter = {{convert|920|–|840|mm|in|abbr=on}} (new–worn)
| wheelbase = {{plainlist|
- {{convert|2700|mm|ftin|abbr=on}} (end bogies)
- {{convert|2750|mm|ftin|abbr=on}} (Jacobs-bogies)
}}
| traction = ABB BORDLINE CC1500 MS 3-level IGBT–VVVF{{cite web |url=https://library.e.abb.com/public/a53afbf3d2004a02829800e2217558da/BORDLINE%20CC1500%20MS_15-25-3kV_U_1600%20EC250%20RevA%20EN.pdf |title=Compact converter BORDLINE® CC1500 MS for multi-system high-speed trains |publisher=ABB |date=19 February 2018 |access-date=12 June 2023}}
| traction motors = 8 × TSA TMF 50-33-4 {{convert|600|kW|sigfig=3|abbr=on}}{{cite web |url=https://www.tsa.at/tsa_referenzen/stadler-rail-e250-giruno-for-sbb/ |title=Stadler Rail E250 Giruno for SBB (Schweizerische Bundesbahnen) |publisher=Traktionssysteme Austria |access-date=29 June 2023}} asynchronous 3-phase AC
| poweroutput = {{convert|4800|kW|sigfig=3|abbr=on}}
| tractiveeffort = {{convert|300|kN|sigfig=3|abbr=on}}
| electricsystem = {{plainlist|
- {{15 kV AC}}
- {{25 kV 50 Hz}}
- {{3,000 V DC|format=kV}}
}}
| collectionmethod = {{convert|1450|mm|ftin|abbr=on}} and {{convert|1950|mm|ftin|abbr=on}} wide pantographs
| uicclass = 2′(Bo)′(Bo)′(2)′(2)′(2)′(2)′(Bo)′(Bo)′(2)′(2)′2′
| gauge = {{Track gauge|sg|allk=on}}
| notes = {{cite web |title=Electric high-speed multiple unit SMILE |url=https://www.stadlerrail.com/media/pdf/smile_sbbe.pdf |publisher=Stadler Rail |access-date=12 June 2023}}{{cite web |title=Das Zulassungskonzept für den EC 250 / Giruno Hochgeschwindigkeitszug |url=http://www.schienenfahrzeugtagung.at/download/PDF2016/DiV07_Starlinger.pdf |lang=de |access-date=14 June 2023}}
}}
The RABe 501, nicknamed Giruno, is a high-speed electric multiple unit train built by Stadler Rail of Switzerland for the Swiss Federal Railways (SBB). According to Stadler Rail, it was the world's first single-decker low-floor high-speed train.{{cite web|title=Stadler Rail wins tender for NRLA trains|url=http://www.stadlerrail.com/en/news/2014/05/13/stadler-rail-wins-tender-for-nrla-trains/|access-date=4 June 2014|publisher=Stadler Rail}}
The trains are intended to replace the ETR610 trains on the trans-Alpine route between Milan (Italy) and Basel / Zürich,{{cite news|last=Green|first=Anitra|date=9 May 2014|title=SBB orders 29 transalpine EMUs from Stadler|newspaper=International Railway Journal|url=http://www.railjournal.com/index.php/rolling-stock/sbb-orders-transalpine-emus-from-stadler.html?channel=529|access-date=9 May 2014}} with eventually further connections with Germany and Austria. The main route goes through the 57 kilometre-long Gotthard Base Tunnel. As a consequence, the Giruno is also referred to as the "Gotthard train".[https://railway-news.com/stadler-giruno-operating-licence/ Stadler Giruno High-Speed Train for the Gotthard Receives Operating Licence], railway-news.com
The 11-car units operate with a top speed of {{convert|250|km/h|mph|abbr=on|round=5}} and can accommodate up to 403 passengers (117 in first class, 286 in second class). Two train sets can be coupled together to accommodate over 800 passengers.
Names
Stadler originally named the train the EC250. This was changed in 2017 to SMILE,[https://www.railwaypro.com/wp/stadler-renames-ec250-high-speed-train-smile/ "Stadler renames EC250 high-speed train as SMILE."] railwaypro.com, 18 August 2017. short for Schneller Mehrsystemfähiger Innovativer Leichter Expresszug (English: “speedy multi-system innovative lightweight express train”).[https://www.globalrailwayreview.com/news/61890/stadler-high-speed-smile/ "Stadler names its new high-speed train SMILE."] globalrailwayreview.com, 18 August 2017. The SBB have named the train Giruno (from {{lang|rm|Girun}}, Romansh for "buzzard", "bearded vulture" or "kestrel").{{cite news |url=https://www.srf.ch/news/giruno-maeusebussard-die-tuecken-der-sprache |title=«Giruno» = Mäusebussard? - Die Tücken der Sprache |publisher=SRF |date=2017-05-19 |access-date=2024-12-26 |language=de}}
Each of the 31 trainsets is numbered and named. Twenty-six are named after the cantons of Switzerland, but the numbering deviates from that of the "Gotthard locomotives". Two are named after the Italian provinces of Liguria and Lombardy, one is named after the commune of Monteceneri (because of the Ceneri Base Tunnel), one after the Saint-Gotthard Massif and one after the Simplon Pass. The names are indicated at both ends of the train and inside the dining car.
Development
In April 2012, Swiss Federal Railways (SBB) issued a tender for 29 new single-deck trains, capable of reaching {{convert|250|km/h|mph|abbr=on|round=5}}, for service on routes between Germany, Switzerland and Italy via the then under-construction Gotthard Base Tunnel,{{Cite web|last=Green|first=Anitra|date=16 April 2012|title=SSB issues tender for 29 high-speed trains|url=https://www.railjournal.com/passenger/high-speed/sbb-issues-tender-for-29-high-speed-trains/|access-date=26 December 2020|website=International Rail Journal}} the only completely flat route through the great Alpine barrier. Bids were placed by Stadler Rail (Switzerland), Siemens (Germany), Alstom (France) and Talgo (Spain). All four bids were rejected by SBB and a second round took place, at which point Siemens withdrew. On 9 May 2014 SBB announced an order worth {{Currency|980,000,000|CHF}} for 29 Stadler EC250s. The final signing was delayed, however, as Alstom and Talgo both launched legal challenges: Alstom withdrew theirs in September 2014, while Talgo's complaint{{Spaced en dash}}that SBB gave the domestic producer an advantage{{Spaced en dash}}was dismissed by the Federal Administrative Court in October 2014. The final contract was signed between SBB and Stadler on 30 October 2014.{{Cite news|last=Fontana|first=Katharina|date=30 October 2014|title=Sieg für Stadler Rail und SBB|language=de|work=Neue Zürcher Zeitung|url=https://www.nzz.ch/schweiz/sieg-fuer-stadler-rail-und-sbb-1.18414805|access-date=26 December 2020}}
The EC250's first public appearance{{Spaced en dash}}as a short 5-car set{{Spaced en dash}}was at InnoTrans 2016 in Berlin, Germany, by Stadler CEO, Peter Spuhler, and SBB CEO, Andreas Meyer.{{Cite web|date=22 September 2016|title=Stadler unveils EC250 'Giruno' low floor high-speed train |url=https://www.globalrailwayreview.com/news/30034/stadler-ec250-giruno-low-floor-high-speed-train/|access-date=26 December 2020|website=Global Railway Review}} The first full 11-car set was presented at a ceremony in Bussnang on 18 May 2017, which was also attended by the then Swiss President Doris Leuthard.{{Cite web|date=22 May 2017|title=Stadler presents the New Gotthard Tunnel Train|url=https://railway-news.com/stadler-presents-new-gotthard-tunnel-train/|access-date=26 December 2020|website=Railway-News}} Shortly afterwards in August, the EC250 was renamed as SMILE following a public competition.
As SBB intend to operate these trains across several countries, testing had to be carried out in Germany, Italy and Austria, in addition to Switzerland. In early April 2018, a test train unit ran through the Gotthard Tunnel at {{convert|275|km/h|mph|0|abbr=on}} in order to meet approval conditions to operate up to {{convert|250|km/h|mph|abbr=on|round=5}} on the line.{{Cite web|date=3 April 2018|title=Mit 275 km/h durch den Gotthard Basistunnel|url=https://www.info24news.net/275/|access-date=26 December 2020|website=info24news.net|language=de}} The Federal Office of Transport approved this service for Switzerland on 4 April 2019 and the European Union Railway Agency approved it for Italy in March 2020{{Spaced en dash}}in both cases, for speeds up to {{Cvt|200|km/h|round=5}}.{{Cite web|date=5 April 2019|title=Stadler Giruno High-Speed Train for the Gotthard Receives Operating Licence|url=https://railway-news.com/stadler-giruno-operating-licence/|access-date=26 December 2020|website=Railway-News}}{{Cite web|date=7 March 2020|title=Stadler: SBB-Hochgeschwindigkeitszug "Giruno" erhält Italien-Zulassung|url=https://bahnblogstelle.net/2020/03/07/stadler-sbb-hochgeschwindigkeitszug-giruno-erhaelt-italien-zulassung/|access-date=26 December 2020|website=Bahnblogstelle|language=de|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200313082653/https://bahnblogstelle.net/2020/03/07/stadler-sbb-hochgeschwindigkeitszug-giruno-erhaelt-italien-zulassung/|archive-date=13 Mar 2020}}
The first passenger revenue service operated between Zürich and Erstfeld on 8 May 2019, using Giruno unit 501 006.{{Cite web|date=8 May 2019|title=[CH] SBB Giruno: First service with passengers|url=https://railcolornews.com/2019/05/08/ch-sbb-giruno-first-day-of-service-tomorrow/|access-date=26 December 2020|publisher=Railcolor News}}
In February 2024, Stadler and Saudi Arabia Railways (SAR) signed a contract for the supply and maintenance of 10 DMU trains, with an option for 10 more, depicted on artist impressions using the same cab as the Giruno.{{Cite web|date=7 February 2024|title=Stadler Intercity trains for Saudi Arabia Railways|url=https://railcolornews.com/2024/02/06/passenger-stadler-intercity-trains-for-saudi-arabia-railways|access-date=7 February 2024|publisher=Railcolor News}}
Design
File:SBB Giruno by Stadler (32932027547).jpg
The EC250 is designed to comply with the TSI-High-speed regulations and meets the EN 15227 crashworthiness standards.
The cars are connected to Jacobs bogies and the propulsion system consists of four motorised bogies, powered from four roof-mounted electric current collectors.Hegde, Zenobia. [https://www.iot-now.com/2018/03/12/78398-te-connectivity-supply-high-voltage-roofline-equipment-stadler-smile-trains/ "TE Connectivity to supply high-voltage roofline equipment for Stadler SMILE trains."] IoTNow, 12 March 2018. The electrification system is compatible with the Swiss and German 15 kV 16.7 Hz alternating current (AC) overhead power supplies, as well as with Italian 3 kV direct current (DC) and 25 kV 50 Hz electrification systems. The motorized bogies are reportedly capable of generating a maximum power output of 6000 kW.[https://www.railway-technology.com/projects/stadler-ec250-high-speed-electric-multiple-unit-emu/ "Stadler EC250 High-Speed Electric Multiple Unit (EMU)."] railway-technology.com, Retrieved: 22 May 2018.
Each 11-car train set is {{convert|200|m|ftin}} long and has an empty weight of {{Convert|380|t|lb}}. Each carriage has a width of {{Cvt|2.9|m}} and a height of {{Cvt|4.25|m|ftin}}. The wheelbase of the unpowered bogies is {{Cvt|2.7|m}}, while those of the motorised bogies are {{Cvt|2.75|m}}. The carriages do not have a uniform floor height as the seats at either end of each car are positioned above the bogies while the central aisle rises towards the carriage connection through ramps.
The low-floor entrances allow step-free access from platforms at heights between {{Cvt|550|mm}} and {{Cvt|760|mm}} and several accessible toilets and areas for wheelchairs are available, allowing the train to comply with the Law on Equal Rights for Persons with Disabilities.{{Cite web|date=8 April 2019|title=Giruno Gotthard train granted to operate at 200 km/h on the Swiss network|url=https://www.globalrailwayreview.com/news/80182/gotthard-giruno-train-swiss-network/|access-date=26 December 2020|website=Global Railway Review}} As a long-distance train, it also features signal boosters for 3G/4G cellular phone networks, power sockets (for Swiss and international plugs) and large luggage racks for passenger comfort, along with energy-efficient lighting. The interior is flexible, meaning it can be extensively refitted and modified to an operator's requirements.
Service
As of December 2020, Giruno units operate services from Basel and Zürich to Chiasso and Lugano. Services between Zurich and Milan have also operated since 12 August 2020, and have later expanded to Venice, Genoa and Bologna.{{Cite web|last=Hartmeier|first=Sandro|date=17 November 2020|title=Giruno seit 10. August 2020 zwischen Zürich und Mailand im Einsatz|url=https://www.bahnonline.ch/888/giruno-ab-montag-zwischen-zuerich-und-mailand-im-einsatz/|access-date=26 December 2020|website=Bahnonline.ch|language=de}}
The Giruno replaced existing RABDe 500 (ICN) and tilting ETR 610 units on the Gotthard railway, which were reassigned to more winding Alpine routes such as the Jura Foot Railway.{{Cite web|date=9 May 2014|title=Rollmaterial-Beschaffung Nord-Süd-Verkehr: SBB vergibt Auftrag für 29 neue Züge an Stadler Rail|url=https://info24bahnnews.jimdofree.com/2014/05/09/rollmaterial-beschaffung-nord-s%C3%BCd-verkehr-sbb-vergibt-auftrag-f%C3%BCr-29-neue-z%C3%BCge-an-stadler-rail/|access-date=27 December 2020|website=Archiv-Seite von info24 - ÖV Schweiz - Europa|language=de}}
See also
Notes
{{Notelist}}