The Swiss South Eastern Railway (Südostbahn, SOB) has successfully concluded the largest rolling stock procurement in its history. The final train of a 43-unit order from Stadler was handed over yesterday at SOB’s Herisau maintenance centre, marking the on-time completion of a six-year delivery programme.
Manufactured at Stadler’s facility in Bussnang, Thurgau, the fleet comprises 30 copper-coloured Traverso units and 13 silver FLIRT3 trains, totalling over 5,500 metres of rolling stock. The Traverso trains have become a signature feature of the SOB’s image and service identity.
SOB, a shift towards long-distance rail
The fleet renewal reflects SOB’s evolution from a regional railway to a national operator in both long-distance and regional markets. Since June 2019, the new trains have gradually entered service. Today, the copper-coloured Traverso sets serve the Voralpen-Express, Aare Linth, and Treno Gottardo routes, as well as the new Alpenrhein-Express, launched in the 2024/25 timetable. The trains are also used on various regional services in Eastern and Central Switzerland.
Swiss-made for Swiss conditions
All trains were produced in Switzerland, with numerous local suppliers contributing to the project. The vehicles are specifically designed to meet the technical and topographical challenges of the Swiss rail network, including steep gradients. Combining modern technology with high-quality, functional design, the trains offer a significant upgrade in operational performance and passenger comfort.
Key features of the trains include:
- Spacious low-floor entrances for accessible boarding
- Air-conditioned passenger compartments with modern interiors
- Quiet running gear for enhanced ride comfort
- Power sockets at all seats
- Dedicated luggage and bicycle areas
- Snack vending machines in the Traverso bistro area
- High-performance traction for main and branch lines
- Flexibility for long-distance and regional operations
“With the delivery of the 43rd vehicle, we’re concluding a highly successful project. Together with SOB, we’ve delivered trains that set new standards in both technology and design. We thank SOB for their trust and look forward to future collaborations,” Dennis Laubbacher, CEO of Stadler Bussnang AG, commented.
“We receive a great deal of positive feedback from passengers about the Traverso trains and are very satisfied with the vehicles supplied by Stadler. Stadler has proven to be a highly reliable partner throughout the project,” Thomas Schäfer, overall project manager for rolling stock procurement at SOB, added.
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