electric train Berninabahn ABe 4/4 34 RhB Digital Sound

Description

Model: HOm gauge DC. The Bernina railcar ABe 4/4 34 comes as a suitable locomotive for the new edition of the two-axle cars in the condition after it was repainted from green/cream to red with the lettering RhB. It ran in this appearance from 1962 until the early 80s, when it was branded with the multilingual logo.

Prototype: The 60 km long Bernina Railway, which was electrically operated with direct voltage from the start, began operations with fourteen BCe 4/4 1-14 electric multiple units purchased in 1908/1909. Due to the great demand, three more bogie railcars, the BCFe 4/4 21-23, had to be put into service in 1911. These were designed with an additional luggage compartment. After the merger with the RhB, most railcars were fundamentally modernized from the mid-1940s onwards, with considerable changes being made to the roof, among other things, and the car bodies being re-clad. The BCe 4/4 31-34 were created in 1946/1947 from railcars 1, 2, 5 and 4 of the first series. These four vehicles, as well as the BCe 4/4 30, which was created in 1953 from car 22, were simultaneously prepared for peak traffic operations on the Arosabahn, which was then still operated with 2200 V direct current, and the roof rod couplings characteristic of this route were installed. As part of the electrical conversion, the two Lyra brackets were replaced by a scissor pantograph and additional starting and braking resistors were placed on the roof. In 1986, the four railcars that remained after the BCe 4/4 33 was demolished in 1962 were given multiple controls.
From railcars 10, 14 and 12, the BCe 4/4 35-37 were created in 1949-1951 with a different window arrangement than the 31-34. These slightly more powerful vehicles could still only be used on the Bernina. Despite the fundamental renewal of the electrical equipment, only one of the lyra brackets was initially replaced by a scissor pantograph. It wasn’t until 1968 that the antiquated brackets gave way to a modern single-bar pantograph – since then there have been two different modern brackets on the roof.
A loner among the modernized Bernina classic cars is the BCFe 4/4 38, which was created in 1949 from car 21. The conversions are based on the roof equipment on those of the 35-37 railcars, initially each with a lyre and scissor pantograph. In 1967 the second lyre bar was removed and it was not until 1969 that an additional single-arm pantograph was installed. In contrast to cars 35-37, the 38 was the only modernized vehicle to retain its luggage compartment.
With the procurement of the new ABe 4/4 51-56 railcars, the old railcars were placed in subordinate service; some were later prepared for railway service purposes. With the introduction of the „Allegra“ railcars into service, the RhB was even able to phase out many of the younger ABe 4/4 41-49 railcars. Today only the yellow-painted nostalgic railcars 30+34 are kept operational.