S-Bahn Mirage farewell

Zürich's S-Bahn Mirage trains (no connection to the trams with the same nickname), or RABDe 12/12 as they were officially called, or RABDe 510 as they later became have been officially withdrawn in a ceremony yesterday, having been displaced by new RABe 514 double-deck trains.

The 20 Mirage three-car sets 1101-1120 entered service in 1965-1967 on the Zürich – Meilen – Rapperswil suburban service, where they were a precursor of what was later to become Zürich's S-Bahn. A refurbishment programme was started in 1996, which at the time, it was said, would keep them in service for a further 15 years. As part of this programme, their distinctive claret colour was replaced by the standard blue and white with yellow doors of SBB regional stock, and their interiors similarly facelifted. At the same time they were re-numbered 510 000 to 510 017. Some trains of this type are likely to be retained as spares until they require repairs, meaning sightings will remain possible for a while.

this item was added on 10.12.2008 (5606 days ago)
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