Südostbahn
Encyclopedia
The Südostbahn – commonly abbreviated to SOB – is a railway company and network in Switzerland
.
s as an Aktiengesellschaft
(AG). At the end of 2001, the previous SOB merged with the Bodensee-Toggenburg-Bahn
(BT) to form the Südostbahn (SOB).
on Lake Constance
via St. Gallen
, Herisau
, Degersheim
, Wattwil
, and Ebnat-Kappel
to Nesslau-Neu Sankt Johann in northeast Switzerland
to Rapperswil
via Seedamm
, Pfäffikon SZ, Biberbrugg
to Arth-Goldau in Central Switzerland
.
The Voralpen Express
(VAE, Pre-Alpine Express), a named train, is connecting medium sized cities in central and eastern Switzerland in operation since 1991. It is jointly operated by Südostbahn and the Swiss Federal Railways
(SBB). It runs every hour as an InterRegio (IR) express train
from Lucerne
to St. Gallen
, continuing as regional train to Romanshorn
. The journey takes 2 hours and 42 minutes. In addition, the SOB operates the S-Bahn Zürich lines between Einsiedeln and Wädenswil
(S13
) and to Rapperswil
(S40
). In all, the SOB network measures 128,9 Kilometers.
The Südostbahn (SOB) ordered four two-piece NPZ sets (RBDe 566 + ABt)
, which were delivered from the first production series in 1995 bearing numbers RBDe 566 400-403. The SOB opted not to convert any intermediate cars for use with these trainsets. Thus, the SOB DVT's differ from those of the SBB by the addition of a first class compartment. The locomotives, however, are identical to those of the SBB. The SOB has since converted several intermediate cars, however, and these trainsets are operated with them today. After the merger of the original SOB with the Bodensee-Toggenburg-Bahn to the new SOB, these four trainsets were repainted in the new livery of the SOB in 2003. They now operate throughout the SOB network as RBDe 566 077-080. Südostbahn had a fleet of ABt
for their BDe 4/4 but they will soon be fully replaced by Stadler FLIRT
s. NPZ ABt exist for the two types of RBDe 566 SOB ownes (566 071-076 ex BT and 566 077-080 ex SOB of the SBB-type). Nine BDt are used for the Voralpen Express with Re 456, Re 446 or SBB-CFF-FFS Re 420
.
Switzerland
Switzerland name of one of the Swiss cantons. ; ; ; or ), in its full name the Swiss Confederation , is a federal republic consisting of 26 cantons, with Bern as the seat of the federal authorities. The country is situated in Western Europe,Or Central Europe depending on the definition....
.
Structure
The Südostbahn is a small private railway, i.e. jointly owned by the cantonal and federal governmentFederal administration of Switzerland
The federal administration of Switzerland is the ensemble of agencies that constitute, together with the Swiss Federal Council, the executive branch of the Swiss federal authorities...
s as an Aktiengesellschaft
Aktiengesellschaft
Aktiengesellschaft is a German term that refers to a corporation that is limited by shares, i.e. owned by shareholders, and may be traded on a stock market. The term is used in Germany, Austria and Switzerland...
(AG). At the end of 2001, the previous SOB merged with the Bodensee-Toggenburg-Bahn
Bodensee-Toggenburg-Bahn
The Bodensee–Toggenburg-Bahn was a small 'private' railway which operated between Romanshorn on the Bodensee via St. Gallen, Herisau, Degersheim, Wattwil, and Ebnat-Kappel to Nesslau-Neu St...
(BT) to form the Südostbahn (SOB).
Network
The Schweizerische Südostbahn AG operates between RomanshornRomanshorn
Romanshorn is a municipality in the district of Arbon in the canton of Thurgau in Switzerland.-History:Romanshorn was probably settled in the 7th Century, and is first mentioned in 779 as Rumanishorn in a land grant from Waldrata to the Abbey of St. Gall. During the Late Middle Ages and until...
on Lake Constance
Lake Constance
Lake Constance is a lake on the Rhine at the northern foot of the Alps, and consists of three bodies of water: the Obersee , the Untersee , and a connecting stretch of the Rhine, called the Seerhein.The lake is situated in Germany, Switzerland and Austria near the Alps...
via St. Gallen
St. Gallen
St. Gallen is the capital of the canton of St. Gallen in Switzerland. It evolved from the hermitage of Saint Gall, founded in the 7th century. Today, it is a large urban agglomeration and represents the center of eastern Switzerland. The town mainly relies on the service sector for its economic...
, Herisau
Herisau
Herisau is a municipality of the canton of Appenzell Ausserrhoden in Switzerland. It is the seat of the canton's government and parliament; the judicial authorities are situated in Trogen....
, Degersheim
Degersheim
Degersheim is a municipality in the Wahlkreis of Wil in the canton of St. Gallen in Switzerland.-History:Degersheim is first mentioned in 837 as Tegarascai. It was known as Tegerschen until 1803, when Degersheim became the official name. The village of Wolfertswil is mentioned in 838 as...
, Wattwil
Wattwil
Wattwil is a municipality in the Wahlkreis of Toggenburg in the canton of St. Gallen in Switzerland.-Geography:Wattwil has an area, , of . Of this area, 52.6% is used for agricultural purposes, while 37.3% is forested...
, and Ebnat-Kappel
Ebnat-Kappel
Ebnat-Kappel is a municipality in the Wahlkreis of Toggenburg in the canton of St. Gallen in Switzerland.-History:Kappel is first mentioned in 1218 as Capelle. Until 1762 Ebnat was known as Ober-Wattwil.-Geography:...
to Nesslau-Neu Sankt Johann in northeast Switzerland
Switzerland
Switzerland name of one of the Swiss cantons. ; ; ; or ), in its full name the Swiss Confederation , is a federal republic consisting of 26 cantons, with Bern as the seat of the federal authorities. The country is situated in Western Europe,Or Central Europe depending on the definition....
to Rapperswil
Rapperswil
Rapperswil-Jona is a municipality in the Wahlkreis of See-Gaster in the canton of St. Gallen in Switzerland.Besides Rapperswil and Jona, which were separate municipalities until 2006, the municipality includes Bollingen, Busskirch, Curtiberg, Kempraten-Lenggis, Wagen, and Wurmsbach.-Today:On...
via Seedamm
Seedamm
Seedamm is the partially artificial dam and bridge at the most narrow area of Lake Zurich, between Hurden and Rapperswil .- Geography and location :...
, Pfäffikon SZ, Biberbrugg
Biberbrugg
Biberbrugg is a village in the canton of Schwyz in Switzerland. Biberbrugg is shared by the municipalities of Einsiedeln in the district of Einsiedeln and Feusisberg in the district of Höfe.- History :...
to Arth-Goldau in Central Switzerland
Central Switzerland
Central Switzerland is the region of the Alpine foothills geographically the heart and historically the origin of Switzerland, with the cantons of Uri, Schwyz, Obwalden, Nidwalden, Lucerne and Zug....
.
The Voralpen Express
Voralpen Express
The Voralpen-Express is a named train connecting medium sized cities in central and eastern Switzerland in operation since 1991. It is jointly operated by Südostbahn and the Swiss Federal Railways ....
(VAE, Pre-Alpine Express), a named train, is connecting medium sized cities in central and eastern Switzerland in operation since 1991. It is jointly operated by Südostbahn and the Swiss Federal Railways
SBB-CFF-FFS
Swiss Federal Railways and SFR are not in official use) is the national railway company of Switzerland headquartered in Bern. Formerly a government institution, it is since 1999 a special stock corporation with all shares held by the Swiss Confederation or the Swiss cantons...
(SBB). It runs every hour as an InterRegio (IR) express train
Express train
Express trains are a form of rail service. Express trains make only a small number of stops, instead of stopping at every single station...
from Lucerne
Lucerne
Lucerne is a city in north-central Switzerland, in the German-speaking portion of that country. Lucerne is the capital of the Canton of Lucerne and the capital of the district of the same name. With a population of about 76,200 people, Lucerne is the most populous city in Central Switzerland, and...
to St. Gallen
St. Gallen
St. Gallen is the capital of the canton of St. Gallen in Switzerland. It evolved from the hermitage of Saint Gall, founded in the 7th century. Today, it is a large urban agglomeration and represents the center of eastern Switzerland. The town mainly relies on the service sector for its economic...
, continuing as regional train to Romanshorn
Romanshorn
Romanshorn is a municipality in the district of Arbon in the canton of Thurgau in Switzerland.-History:Romanshorn was probably settled in the 7th Century, and is first mentioned in 779 as Rumanishorn in a land grant from Waldrata to the Abbey of St. Gall. During the Late Middle Ages and until...
. The journey takes 2 hours and 42 minutes. In addition, the SOB operates the S-Bahn Zürich lines between Einsiedeln and Wädenswil
Wädenswil
-References:...
(S13
S13 (ZVV)
The S13 is a regional railway line of the S-Bahn Zürich on the Zürcher Verkehrsverbund , Zürich transportation network, in the cantons of Schwyz and Zürich.- Route :...
) and to Rapperswil
Rapperswil
Rapperswil-Jona is a municipality in the Wahlkreis of See-Gaster in the canton of St. Gallen in Switzerland.Besides Rapperswil and Jona, which were separate municipalities until 2006, the municipality includes Bollingen, Busskirch, Curtiberg, Kempraten-Lenggis, Wagen, and Wurmsbach.-Today:On...
(S40
S40 (ZVV)
The S40 is a regional railway line of the S-Bahn Zürich on the Zürcher Verkehrsverbund , Zürich transportation network, in the cantons of Schwyz, St...
). In all, the SOB network measures 128,9 Kilometers.
Railroad vehicles
SBB-CFF-FFS RBDe 560
The RBDe 560 and its derivatives provide motive power for S-Bahn, suburban, and regional traffic on the Swiss Federal Railways network. The derivative versions belong to the SBB as well as various private railroads...
, which were delivered from the first production series in 1995 bearing numbers RBDe 566 400-403. The SOB opted not to convert any intermediate cars for use with these trainsets. Thus, the SOB DVT's differ from those of the SBB by the addition of a first class compartment. The locomotives, however, are identical to those of the SBB. The SOB has since converted several intermediate cars, however, and these trainsets are operated with them today. After the merger of the original SOB with the Bodensee-Toggenburg-Bahn to the new SOB, these four trainsets were repainted in the new livery of the SOB in 2003. They now operate throughout the SOB network as RBDe 566 077-080. Südostbahn had a fleet of ABt
Control car (rail)
A control car is a generic term for a non-powered railroad vehicle that can control operation of a train from the end opposite to the position of the locomotive...
for their BDe 4/4 but they will soon be fully replaced by Stadler FLIRT
Stadler FLIRT
Stadler FLIRT is an electric multiple unit produced by Stadler Rail AG. The articulated trainset comes in units of two to six cars with two to six motorized axles. The maximum speed is 200 km/h...
s. NPZ ABt exist for the two types of RBDe 566 SOB ownes (566 071-076 ex BT and 566 077-080 ex SOB of the SBB-type). Nine BDt are used for the Voralpen Express with Re 456, Re 446 or SBB-CFF-FFS Re 420
SBB-CFF-FFS Re 420
The Re 420, originally Re 4/4II series are the most common electric locomotives of the Swiss Federal Railways. They are used for passenger services throughout Switzerland alone or in pairs. For freight services, they are sometimes paired with the Re 620, especially in mountainous regions...
.
External links
- Official website (in German)
- Voralpen Express website (in German)