Switzerland - 16th & 17th March 2026
Having flown into Basel-Mulhouse from Bristol (arriving 1.5 hours late because of delays to the previous flight arrival at Bristol), we checked into our hotel, took a short break, and then headed out for an hour or so before meeting with a family friend in the city. The flight delay did cost us time as we had planned to visit another part of the city, but it did allow us to explore on foot around Basel SBB and the Basel Tram Network to get our bearings and check our train times were correct for the next morning. The weather for the week was around 16 degrees but with good light, warming to more spring-like conditions toward the end of the week.
For Day 2 of the trip, we planned to visit Zürich by train, and were lucky enough to travel on a traditional locomotive and stock (in top and tail formation) between Basel SBB and Zürich Hbf. Once in Zürich, we took refreshments and explored the city on foot, following the numerous tram routes toward the Zürichsee shoreline. The weather was pleasantly warm, and there were stunning views of the snow-covered Alps in the distance. Some time was also spent on the vast Zürich Hauptbahnhof recording the busy passenger services which serve the bi-level station.
For Day 2 of the trip, we planned to visit Zürich by train, and were lucky enough to travel on a traditional locomotive and stock (in top and tail formation) between Basel SBB and Zürich Hbf. Once in Zürich, we took refreshments and explored the city on foot, following the numerous tram routes toward the Zürichsee shoreline. The weather was pleasantly warm, and there were stunning views of the snow-covered Alps in the distance. Some time was also spent on the vast Zürich Hauptbahnhof recording the busy passenger services which serve the bi-level station.
Day 1 - Basel SBB
Swiss SBB Re460 No.460022 departs from Basel SBB on the 16th March 2026 with a IC service bound for Zuirch Flughafen.
The BR 1462 Desiro HC (High Capacity) is a modern electric multiple-unit train manufactured by Siemens. DB Regio (often branded as "Bwegt" in Baden-Württemberg) operates these trains on regional lines, including services that cross into Switzerland, reaching Basel. Units 1462-507/ 007 and 1462003/503 depart from Basel SBB on the 16th March 2026, operating RE7 service to Offenburg (Germany).
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A Siemens Vectron from European Loco Leasing (ELL) is pictured stabled at Basel SBB on the 16th March 2026. No.193 829 will have most likely been stabled for overnight Nightjet services.
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The SBB Class 521 (Stadler FLIRT) trains operate on the S6 line of the Basel S-Bahn, which connects Basel SBB (Switzerland) to Zell im Wiesental (Germany). The route is a cross-border, international service often operated by SBB GmbH (Deutschland). No.152 003 arrives at Basel SBB on 16th March 2026.
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The SBB RABe 501, known as the Giruno (Romansh for "buzzard"), is a high-speed electric multiple unit train operated by the Swiss Federal Railways (SBB-CFF-FFS). Built by Stadler Rail and branded as the Stadler SMILE ("Fast Multi-System Innovative Light Express Train"), it is designed for international service through the Gotthard Base Tunnel connecting Switzerland with Italy, Germany, and Austria. No.501-004-4/501-214 is pictured at Basel SBB.
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SBB Re 460 No.460020 arrives at Basel SBB, passing SBB RABe 501 on the 16th March 2026.
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SBB Re460 locomotives No.460066 and No.460020 are pictured at Basel SBB on the 16th March 2026.
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SBB Re460 No.460 006 is pictured at Basel SBB on the 16th March 2026, waiting to depart with the 17:07 Basel - Chur service.
Day 2: 17th March 2026
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Austrian OBB Class 1116 locomotive, a 'Taurus' built by Siemens known as the singing train due to the electrical stages it goes through to apply power, is pictured at Basel SBB on the 17th March 2026. The loco arrived at Basel via the Nightjet EN40458//40459 service from Prague to Zurich, which switched to a Swiss locomotive at Basel.
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DB ICE4 9451 (412-051) arrives into Basel SBB on the 17th March 2026. Adjacent is Austrian OBB Siemens 'Taurus' locomotive No.1116 166, which was waiting to depart having arrived on the Nightjet service from Prague.
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SBB Ee922 is a Class of 21 electric shunting locomotives designed and built by Stadler Rail in Winterthur. The locomotive is frequently referred to by the nickname "Papamobil" (or Papamobile) due to its unique, high-roof appearance and compact, red design. No.922 002 is pictured at Basel on the 17th March 2026.
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SBB Re460 No.460029 arrives at Basel SBB on the 17th March 2026, with No.460087 at the opposite end of the train. The locomotives were operating the 08:33 Basel SBB - Chur service via Zurich Hbf.
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SBB Re460 No.460087 is picutred at Zurich Hbf on the 17th March 2026. The loco was painted in a special Swiss Lidl livery and arrived operating the 08:33 from Basel SBB to Chur in top and tail formation with No.460029.
SBB Re460 No.4600093 is pictured on the blocks at Zurich Hbf adjacent to a SBB Re450 No.450110 on the 17th March 2026.
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SBB Re420 No.420-304-8 (11304) is pictured at Zurich Hbf on the 17th March 2026, having arrived with a nightjet sleeper service from Austria. Adjacent is SBB Re460 460-094-6 in freshly painted condition.
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Stalder built SBB RABe 501 No.501220/501022 is pictured at Zurich Hbf on the 17th March 2025
SBB Re420 No.420-304-8 (11304) is pictured at Zurich Hbf on the 17th March 2026, having arrived with a nightjet sleeper service from Austria. Adjacent is SBB Re460 460-094-6 in freshly painted condition.
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The Swiss RABe 502 (also known as FV-Dosto or TWINDEXX Swiss Express) is a family of double-deck, high-capacity electric multiple-unit (EMU) trains operated by Swiss Federal Railways (SBB) for long-distance and inter-regional services. Manufactured by Bombardier Transportation (now part of Alstom). No. 502010 arrives at Zurich Hbf on the 17th March 2026.
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SBB RABe502 No.502-216 and No.502-406 are pictured arriving at Zurich Hbf on the 17th March 2026, operating an IR70 service to Sargans.
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SBB Re420 No.450-196 arrives at Zurich with Nightjet service 415 from Amsterdam - Wien running late on the 17th March 2026. There, the set reversed (with another loco joining the rear of the train).
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SBB Re 460 No.460-027 arrives into Zurich Hbf light engine to couple to the Nightjet service to Wien on the 17th March 2027.
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The SBB RABe 512 (often referred to as the "IR-Dosto" or Stadler KISS) is a new generation of double-decker electric multiple-unit (EMU) trains produced by Stadler Rail for the Swiss Federal Railways (SBB). No.512-032 arrives in Zürich on the 17th March 2026, operating a service to Chur which reverses at Zürich.
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SBB Re460 No.460-027 is pictured at Zuirch having arrived to couple to a Nightjet service on the 17th March 2026. In the background DB IC4 9457 (412-057) departs painted in Bundesrepublik livery.
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SBB Re460 No.460-117 is pictured at Zürich Hbf on the 17th March 2026.
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The DB Class 147 is a modern electric locomotive operated by Deutsche Bahn (DB), manufactured by Bombardier Transportation (now Alstom) as part of the TRAXX 3 platform. Specifically, it is the TRAXX P160 AC3 passenger variant, designed for both regional and long-distance traffic. No.147-583 is pictured at Zurich HBF on the 17th March 2026, operating IC280 10:37 Zurich - Stuttgart. Adjacent is SBB Re460 No.460-042.
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SBB Re460 No.460-037 is pictured at Zurich Hbf on the 17th March 2026. The loco was waiting to depart with the 12:38 to Chur.
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SBB RABe512 is pictured at Zurich Hbf on the 17th March 2026. The Stadler Rail built unit No.502-212 was operating the 13:08 Zurich - Sargans.
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SBB Re460 No.460049 arrives at Zurich Hbf on the 17th March 2026 with a double-deck coaching stock set in tow.
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SBB RABe511 Stadler 'Kiss' Flirt No.512-026 and 512-120 arrive into Zurich on the 17th March 2026 with an empty stock movement to form a service from Zuirch Hbf.
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SBB Re460 460-063 is pictured at Zürich in a common formation between coaching stock departing on the 17th March 2026.
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The SBB Re 450 is a class of four-axle (Bo′Bo′) electric locomotives operated by Swiss Federal Railways (SBB CFF FFS). Specifically designed for high-density commuter rail service, these locomotives are the cornerstone of the Zürich S-Bahn network. No.450031 arrives into Zuirch on the 17th March 2026 with an empty stock movement.
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The Stadler RABe 501, nicknamed Giruno and branded as the Stadler SMILE, is a high-speed, multi-system electric multiple unit (EMU) train manufactured by Swiss company Stadler Rail. It is designed for international rail services between Switzerland and neighboring countries, specifically operating through the Gotthard Base Tunnel. No.501-036 and No.501-014 arrive in Zurich on the 17th March 2026, operating a passenger service to Frankfurt (EC150 Train 26).
TGV Lyria operates between France and Switzerland. TGV Duplex No.4719 is pictured at Zürich on the 17th March 2026, having arrived from Paris operating via Mulhouse and Basel.
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SBB Stadler Smile RABe501 No.501-034 is pictured at Zurich on the 17th March 2026, ready to depart with the 15:08 Zurich Hbf - Basel SBB operating as IR37 Train 2272.
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