SWITZERLAND: Matterhorn Gotthard Bahn has awarded Swiss Federal Railways a SFr35·4m contract to modernise nine HGe4/4-II electric locomotives and three BDt driving trailers. The work is to be undertaken at SBB’s Bellinzona works by the end of 2022.

The 1·9 MW metre gauge Bo-Bo locomotives equipped for rack operation were supplied to MGB’s predecessors by BBC, ABB and SLM Winterthur in 1986-90.

The refurbishment is intended to ensure a further 25 years of operation on services including the Glacier Express, car shuttles and freight and infrastructure trains.

The scope will include installing more energy efficient IGBT converters and asynchronous motors and replacing electronic equipment. The cabs will be modernised and fitted with new displays and diagnostic systems, and new train protection and a fire alarm systems will be installed.