# BLS RABe 535

The BLS RABe 535 "Lötschberger" is a low-floor electric multiple unit manufactured by Bombardier Transportation for BLS. The train was designed for use on the RegioExpress Bern–Brig route via the Lötschberg Tunnel. It is a direct derivative of the low-floor S-Bahn train BLS RABe 525 "NINA".

## Vehicle

The RABe 535 is a further development of the RABe 525, developed in Aachen, Germany and built by Bombardier Transportation. The four-car multiple-unit train has an 85 % low-floor area. There is one bogie under each of the driver's cabs of the two end carriages, with three Jacobs bogie between the car bodies. The car bodies are made of lightweight steel, the driver's cabs are made of polyester composite material.
The multiple-unit is air-conditioned and offers 28 seats in first class and 143 seats in second class. Multifunctional compartments offer space for suitcases, bicycles and pushchairs. One of the end carriages has a disabled toilet.

## Technology

The traction equipment consists of two IGBT converters with a DC link and a total of four asynchronous traction motors, each with a continuous output of 250 kW. This is single-system equipment for the 15 kV 16 2/3 Hz system commonly used in Switzerland. The starting tractive force is 123 kN compared to 105 kN for the NINA.
The braking systems are an electric regenerative braking, a magnetic rail brake, an ep brake and a spring-loaded parking brake. The latter two act on wheel disc brakes.
There is a Scharfenberg coupler on both sides, allowing rapid train separation and coupling. The RABe 535 are compatible with the RABe 525, so that compositions can be freely formed with both types. This was very often necessary in 2009, as there were not enough RABe 535s available due to delays in delivery by the manufacturer and various technical faults.

## Operation

With the commissioning of the Lötschberg Base Tunnel, Intercity trains from Bern to Valais have no longer travelled via the older Lötschberg line since December 2007. Access to the Kandertal valley and the Lötschberg south ramp was ensured until December 2022 with Lötschberger RegioExpress Bern-Spiez-Brig trains. As the demand between Bern and Spiez is significantly higher than south of Spiez, a dividing train concept was used. Coming from Bern, a triple-traction train was separated in Spiez; two multiple-unit trains travelled on to Brig and one to Zweisimmen. At peak times, a four-carriage train could also be used; at off-peak times, a Bern-Spiez double traction was sufficient. The RABe 535 trains were designed for this type of traffic; the automatic coupler enables trains to be separated or coupled quickly in Spiez. Compared to the predecessor train, the RABe 525, the comfort for passengers has been improved, as it is also intended to appeal to adventure travellers.
The 13 vehicles ordered in 2006 should have been used primarily for the RE Lötschberger (Bern) - Spiez - Brig and in Zweisimmen service from the timetable change in December 2008. Due to the delivery delays, the planned services initially had to be operated with older RABe 525 NINA trains.
Since December 2015, Lötschberger trains have been running on the RegioExpress line from Bern to Langnau and Wolhusen to Lucerne for the most part - and exclusively since December 2016. The RE trains from Bern to Lucerne are coupled in Wolhusen with the S7 from Langenthal and Willisau (RABe 525 NINA) and run coupled to Lucerne. In the opposite direction, the RE and S7 trains are also divided in Wolhusen. Some of the Lötschberger vehicles are also used on the S6 Lucerne-Wolhusen-Langnau line. Since December 2024, the trains no longer run on these lines and were replaced by MIKA trains.
As the previous train consisting of Re 465 and standard coach III with a Kambly livery no longer runs on this route, the two trains 114 and 115 were covered with a Kambly livery.
The RABe 535 101 has been undergoing a refit programme at the Bönigen workshop since 8 January 2024. It has been back in service since 3 June 2024. The exterior design are adapted to that of the MIKA RABe 528. The interior was also slightly modified and the lighting converted to LED. The other 24 vehicles will also undergo the refit by 2027.

## Lines

As of the December 2023 timetable change, the RABe 535 operates on the following routes:
* S21 Konolfingen–Thun
* S22 Bern–Konolfingen–Langnau i.E.
* S41 Solothurn–Burgdorf–Konolfingen–Thun
* S44/S45 Thun–Belp–Bern–Burgdorf–Ramsei-Sumiswald-Grünen
* RE7 Bern–Langnau i.E.–Wolhusen–Lucerne

## Naming

| Unit | Naming |
| 535 101 | Züri West + Wolhusen |
| 535 102 | Schüpfheim |
| 535 103 | Burgdorf |
| 535 104 | Naters |
| 535 107 | Rüdtligen-Alchenflüh |
| 535 110 | Brenzikofen |
| 535 114 | Trubschachen 1 |
| 535 115 | Trubschachen 2 |
| 535 122 | Steffisburg |
| 535 123 | Ausserberg |
| 535 124 | Eggerberg |