Appenzeller Bahnen (AB) has applied to the Swiss Federal Office of Transport for permission to convert its 1.90 km Rheineck–Walzenhausen rail to fully automated operation. The design of the new vehicle is now known, featuring a large panoramic window and distinctive wooden seats.
With the submission of the planning permission application, AB moves one step closer to operating the world’s first fully automated rack-and-adhesion railway outside urban areas.
Following the initial review by the Federal Office of Transport, public consultation in the affected communities is expected to take place this autumn.
Once all approvals are obtained, AB will commence infrastructure works at the end of 2026. Work on the Rheineck–Walzenhausen rail is expected to be completed by the end of 2027. During this period, replacement buses will operate. The newly automated railway will resume service after construction is complete. Initially, journeys will be supervised, but later the vehicle will run unaccompanied.
To ensure operational safety, pre-tests are already underway in various areas. The collision warning system, installed just over a year ago, reliably records data and is continuously being improved; measurements of communication quality for vehicle control have now been completed.
Alongside the infrastructure works, the new vehicle is currently being developed. Its design features a large panoramic window on the valley side, offering expansive views of Lake Constance. Following popular demand, the vehicle will also be fitted with familiar wooden seats. Thanks to a wide entrance and generous standing space, future use by wheelchair users without assistance will be possible. The new infrastructure and vehicle comply with the requirements of the Disability Equality Act.
The current vehicle on the Rheineck–Walzenhausen rail has reached the end of its service life. To secure the future of the line, AB has chosen a fully automated and driverless solution. This will allow extended operating hours and cost savings in operation. The project began in September 2022, and around five years later, AB plans to commence automated operations.
The contract has been signed with Stadler for the delivery of the vehicle, as well as the CBTC technology, also designed and manufactured by Stadler.
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