The modernization of the Re 460 locomotives, which also included a number of energy-saving measures, has been underway since 2017. The 119th and final modernized Re 460 will enter service at the beginning of October, on the occasion of the open days at the Yverdon-les-Bains plant, being held as part of the 175th anniversary of the Swiss Railways.
SBB's upgraded vehicles will run in a more climate-friendly way thanks in particular to new energy-efficient traction converters that supply the traction motors with the necessary energy and recover braking energy. New compressed air supply systems will also bring savings. Thanks to the modernization, the fleet will save 29.9 GWh of traction energy, representing an annual saving of 3.3 million Swiss francs in energy costs, almost 5 GWh more than originally expected. The total saving corresponds to the average power consumption of 10,000 Swiss households - comparable, therefore, to the consumption of the city of Olten.
In addition to the new traction converters, other energy-saving measures are being tested and implemented. The savings are to be achieved by modifying the locomotive transformer cooling. The fans are now controlled as needed when the locomotives are parked. Thanks to this complete modernization, the fleet of 119 locomotives is now set to run reliably and energy-efficiently throughout Switzerland for the next 20 years.
