More "Bratwurst" EMUs for RIGI BAHNEN
posted on 12th Dec 2025 08:24
On 10 December 202, Stadler and RIGI BAHNEN have signed in Vitznau a contract for the delivery of four additional Class Bhe 4/6 rack-and-pinion trains. With this order, both lines of the Mount Rigi Railways will be served by new vehicles.
Since 2022, six Stadler Class Bhe 4/6 EMUs have been operating in the impressive Swiss mountain landscape of Rigi between Vitznau and Rigi Kulm. The design was created by the Milani Design & Consulting studio in Thalwil (south of Zürich). As the company materials say, “the upwardly shaped front gives the sets a characteristic appearance.” This also quickly led to the new units being nicknamed “Bratwurst” (roasted sausage).
The four additional units are intended to be used on the second line between Goldau and Rigi Kulm. The new units will be built at the Bussnang works. The 34.8 m long units have 150 seats and can accommodate a total of 253 passengers.
As mount Rigi is characterised by steep slopes, the train is equipped with four powered cogwheel axles, which ensure a smooth ride even on steep gradients. Until now, the braking energy of the trains travelling downhill between Goldau and Rigi Kulm was converted into heat and was therefore lost. The new trains feed their braking energy back into their own network as electricity.
