Between 2019 and 2024, SBB’s facility in Olten is modernising the fleet of 341 coaches to ensure the 20-year-old fleet remains operational for another 20 years.
The vehicles were stripped back and hollowed out, before being fully refitted with LED lighting, a brighter interior design, new seat upholstery and new carpets. Power sockets have been integrated directly into new tables, while the business zone in first class has been expanded with an office area and equipped with wireless phone charging points. The project includes upholstering 32,000 seats, laying 40km of carpet and applying 120 tonnes of paint.
The coaches will now feature a new HVAC system, 2+1 seating in first class and low-floor access.
SBB says that the IC2000 fleet will continue to be a central component of its long-distance services, alongside the new Bombardier RABe 502 and RABDe 502 Twindexx (FV-Dosto) EMUs.
The modernisation of each coach takes eight weeks, with one completed every three days. Work is being carried out simultaneously on 14 coaches at the Olten plant. Series production is expected to begin at the end of 2019, following the prototype phase.
