S-Bahn Berne
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On line S1 of the commuter network of Berne, BLS Lötschbergbahn AG has made trial runs with double decker trains in passenger service. The trains were hired from CFL (Luxembourg railways) to explore possibilities of increasing the number of seats on busy routes. Maybe the clever use of double decker trains could help make the merger between BLS Lötschbergbahn and RM (Regionalverkehr Mittelland) more acceptable. Mrs. Barbara Egger, member of the Government of Canton Berne, is certainly grateful for any proposal to speed up this merger. |
Porta Alpina
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The Swiss Federal Parliament and the Parliament of Canton Graubünden have approved the financial support for the preparation of an underground station in the middle of the future Gotthard Base Tunnel. This station called 'Porta Alpina' (door to the Alps) shall ensure direct access via a vertical shaft to the touristic areas Disentis and Sedrun in the Surselva region of Canton Graubünden, located 800 m above the level of the Gotthard Base Tunnel. |
The Last Slam Door
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In England, the last slam door trains have recently been removed from service. For decades, these trains - often referred to as cattle trucks - have been a part of life for millions of commuters in the South of England. Now, as the much-criticised relicts from a previous railway era are disappearing, people start to miss these trains. Maybe the British Museum will exhibit the last specimen and preserve it for future generations. |
Hungarian Tournament
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The Hungarian State Railway MÁV has ordered 30 commuter trains from Stadlerrail for the Budapest region. Bombardier has repeatedly appealed against this decision because, in Bombardier's view, the bidding process was not handled correctly. Despite the appeals, the contest ended in Stadlerrail's favour. |