SBB says the IC2000 coaches, which were originally supplied by a consortium of Bombardier and Alstom between 1997 and 2004 and currently carry around 180,000 passengers daily, will now be ready for another 20 years of operation.
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 the new tables, while business class has been expanded with an office area and equipped with wireless phone charging points.
The windows are designed to improve mobile reception inside the train, including future telecommunication advancements such as 5G.
The dining cars are redesigned with a bright, contemporary setting with new tables and seats, while the toilets in the family carriages have had baby changing tables installed.
Additional safety features such as passenger intercoms and fire detection systems are also being re-installed in the vehicles. The renovation also includes a comprehensive technical review and new exterior paint in SBB colours.
The modernisation of each coach takes eight weeks and SBB is currently working on up to 14 cars simultaneously at its Olten plant, with one vehicle completed every three days. In total, more than 32,000 new seats will be upholstered, 40km of carpet laid and more than 120 tonnes of paint applied.
The first modernised IC2000 train is expected to enter service in the autumn.
