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in short |
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1st order |
 In 2001, the BLS Lötschbergbahn AG decided to order ten Traxx locomotives for its freight division. With these machines the company mingled in the ever more internationalizing European market for freight transport. The locomotives of BLS Cargo, with Swiss designation Re 485, are technical identical to the Re 482 series of SBB Cargo and DB Schenker’s 185 series machines with additional Swiss package. This means they are fitted with cameras, two additional pantographs with small 1450mm contacts, because these are required for running through Swiss tunnel systems. Next to the German safety and signalling systems also Swiss Integra and ZUB262 systems are on board. In December 2002 the very first machine was delivered to BLS Cargo, painted in a distinct green and grey livery, with a slogan which communicates exactly what BLS Cargo was, and still is, striving for; Connecting Europe. Interesting details is that for example the blue service numbers upfront reflect light, so also by night these machines can make a remarkable appearance.
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| 10 locomotives |
| order date unknown |
| delivery period 12.2002 - 05.2003 |
| homologated for Switzerland and Germany |
| > designation Re 485 001-010 |
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| 2nd order |
| 10 locomotives |
| order date unknown |
| delivery period 06.2004 - 12.2004 |
| homologated for Switzerland and Germany |
| > designation Re 485 011-020 |
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| operator official website: |
| http://www.bls-cargo.ch |
| Bombardier official website: |
| http://www.transportation.bombardier.com |
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BLS Cargo Traxx AC1: news |
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2017
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2017-09-06
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[CH] New stickers for BLS Cargo 485 series locomotives [update]
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update 2017|09|06
[CH] New stickers for BLS Cargo 485 series locomotives [update]
BLS Cargo 485 006 at Brig on 25.07.2017 = Photo: René Hameleers
In the next time, we will closely follow which BLS Cargo locomotives have the new Alpinisten stickers. For now, we only know the 485 006 and 009. (we mistakingly stated 005 and 009 in the Railcolor weekly news). Keep your eyes open, thanks!
BLS Cargo Traxx AC1
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2017-08-31
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[CH] BLS Cargo 485 009 with new stickers
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update 2017|08|31
[CH] BLS Cargo 485 009 with new stickers
An interesting train to see, with three locomotives, with one with new stickers. BLS Cargo 485 009 now has the new -Alpinisten- vinyls on its side, like we have seen before on 485 005. The locomotive, a Hector Rail 151, and the freight train are being pulled by a diesel locomotive. It is a north-south corridor freight train taking a detour as the line Karlsruhe - Basel is closed. Photo: Michael Goll
BLS Cargo Traxx AC1
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2017-06-27
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[CH] BLS 485 006: new -Alpinisten- livery in the making
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2017-05-31
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[CH] BLS 485 012; currently without stickers
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update 2017|05|31
[CH] BLS 485 012; currently without stickers
BLS 485 012, no longer with 'Connecting Europe' stickers. Photo Tobias Schmidt
BLS Cargo Traxx AC1
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2017-02-16
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[EU] SNCF Logistics acquires 45% stake in BLS Cargo
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2017-02-09
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[CH] BLS Cargo 485 003: Alpinist portrait removed
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update 2017|02|09
[CH] BLS Cargo 485 003: Alpinist portrait removed
BLS Cargo has removed the 'Alpinist' portrait from locomotive 485 003. The picture above was taken on 05.02.2017 in Spiez (CH). It was the only locomotive from the series that had these stickers, similar to those applied on the BLS 486.5 series. The 485 003 has this different livery since 2008.
BLS Cargo Traxx AC1
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2015
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2015-08-13
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[AT] BLS Cargo 485 003 testing with 187 009
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update 2015|08|13
[AT] BLS Cargo 485 003 testing with 187 009
This week in Austria: BLS Cargo 485 003 has taken the place of Railpool 186 433 in the tests with Bombardier 187 010(II). Green and red together in Wiener Neustadt on 11.08.2015. (Herbert Pschill)
187 009-010 - test bed locomotives
BLS Cargo Traxx AC1
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2014
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2014-12-22
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[EU] Also BLS is searching for new locomotives
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update 2014|12|22
[EU] Also BLS is searching for new locomotives
The number of European railway operators, that intends to buy new locomotives, or has published a tender for this, is growing. GySEV and PKP Cargo, the railways of Slovakia and Serbia, the ÖBB. Recent items show also BLS Cargo is looking for replacement of its robust, but aging Re425 series electrics (yes the brown ones).
BLS Cargo has many different Traxx locomotives in its fleet (AC1, AC2, AC3, MS), so a lot of experience with Bombardier products. For comparison, the operator tested Siemens Vectron locomotives and the BB37000 of Alstom in the November. Time for evaluation and negotiation!
BLS Cargo Traxx AC1
BLS Cargo TRAXX MS2e
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2013
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2013-08-23
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[NL/DE/CH/IT] BLS Cargo and railCare exchange locomotives [editedx2]
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update 2013|08|23
[NL/DE/CH/IT] BLS Cargo and railCare exchange locomotives [editedx2]
In June 2013, BLS Cargo from Switzerland and ERS Railways (Freightliner) made public that are going to cooperate closely in moving freight traffic between Rotterdam (NL) and Melzo (I).
This has consequences for the disposition of several modern locomotives. The number of locomotives available for Transalp services from the Netherlands to Italy is limited. BLS Cargo does not own such locomotives itself, and is not planning to retrofit any, so it had to look elsewhere.
Finally, BLS Cargo closed a deal with railCare, the rail operating subsidiary of Swiss retailer Coop. Since 2012, they hire Railpool 186 104, 105, 108 and 109 with Transalp-package (in 2013, Railpool additionally hired 186 101 to railCare). However, railCare only operates trains in Switzerland, so locomotives with such an extensive country specific package are not a neccesssity. Therefore BLS Cargo has offered railCare a batch of its [edit] 465 series locomotives instead: 465 015-018. The fifth locomotive will be a Re425 series engine. [/edit] They will replace the Railpool 186s, that will be hired to BLS Cargo for the ERSR deal. - PT/EvA
From October 2013 until the 2013/2014 time table change, the Railpool 186s will be exchanged. [edit] Most likely the 186s will loose their diamond/minirals/crystal-stickers [edit]
< check the Trainspo.com gallery |
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BLS Cargo Traxx AC1
Railpool TRAXX MS2e
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2013-08-22
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[CH] Traxx Last Mile in combination with BLS 485/486 series
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update 2013|08|22
[CH] Traxx Last Mile in combination with BLS 485/486 series
Images of Bombardier's Traxx AC3 Last Mile locomotive running with the two other Traxx types in the fleet of BLS Cargo. On 21.08.2012, the AC3 was combined with 486 508 and 485 017. Today, BLS 485 012 and 019 were coupled to the new Traxx Last Mile machine. All test runs took place on the Gümligen - Thun route. - DW
187 001-003 - test bed locomotives
BLS Cargo Traxx AC1
BLS Cargo TRAXX MS2e
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2013-04-04
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[CH] DB Schenker over the Gotthard with SBB Cargo instead of BLS Cargo
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2008
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2008-07-07
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[CH] 485 003 - BLS Cargo: die Alpinisten
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update 2008|07|07
[CH] 485 003 - BLS Cargo: die Alpinisten
 BLS Cargo locomotive 485 003 got promotional vinyls during the past week. It promotes BLS Cargo, being an important operators when it comes down to transit services over the Alps. By the way, DB Schenker recently has increased its share in BLS Cargo from 20 to a 45 %. - EP
BLS Cargo Traxx AC1
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BLS Cargo Traxx AC1: Fleet developments |
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The Re 485 series locomotives are used for transalp services which BLS Cargo has set up in cooperation with German operator DB Schenker and Italian logistics company Ambrogio. The BLS Cargo machines are often used in mixed services with the red DB Schenker 185 series locomotives and do visit Germany on a regular basis.
Since 2002 many things have changed. The number of services operated by BLS Cargo increased and in 2004 therefore ten additional locomotives were ordered. Untill these were delivered the fleet was already extended on a temporary basis by leasing some similar locomotives from Angel Trains Cargo; 185 525-527 however returned to their owner when the second batch started commercial services.
 In June 2006 BLS Lötschbergbahn AG merged with another operator from Switzerland, Regionalverkerh Mittelland (RM), and the BLS AG was born. This did not affect the Re 485 series and its services. Transport volumes however kept on growing and in 2006 again additional machines had to be leased from Angel Trains Cargo; this time 185 525, 527, 535, 536, 576 and 577 were incorporated into the BLS Cargo fleet.
In 2007 therefore BLS decided to order a third batch of modern electrics, but this time the company decided to purchase a multi-system version of Bombardier’s Traxx platform. These machines, the designated Re 486.5 series have their separate section on this website.
In June 2008 DB Schenker, since the beginning of the cooperation with BLS Cargo also stakeholder of the operator, announced that had increased its share in the company form 25% to 40%. The German operator is also fortifying its position on the transalp freight market. |
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BLS Cargo Traxx AC1: Livery details |
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In the mean time BLS Cargo also started to retrofit all its Re 485 series machines with the European signalling and safety system ETCS level 2.
 Re 485 011 was baptised 'Weil am Rhein on 23.04.2008. Re 485 001 and 012 is decorated with huge ‘stamps’ on both cab ends. These special stamps, of course on a more practical scale, were published by the Swiss post to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the BLS.
In July 2008, 485 003 was the first machine that switched its standard livery for a version with some promotional vinyls; BLS Cargo: die Alpinisten. It was also the first machine of its type carrying a up to date UIC service number. |
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BLS Cargo Traxx AC1: Select your Locomotive: |
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Alstom
