On 08.09.2016, the Swiss 'Bundesamt für Verkehr' (BAV) announced that it would no longer allow Bombardier TRAXX locomotives with ETCS Level 2 to run on the Gotthard-route, including the Gotthard base tunnel. This would mean that TRAXX locomotives of the type 486 (BLS Cargo), BR 186 (Railpool), Re 487 (SRT) and BR 187 (Railpool) would be banned from one of the most important transalp freight routes in Switzerland as of this December, as BAV only granted operation with ETCS level 2 for these types under a limited-term operating license valid until November 2016.

BAV made its decision based on a 'accumulation of disturbances' causing forced braking by locomotives resulting in operational interruptions and delays. BAV offered its help to Bombardier to solve the issues so railfreight operation with these machines could continue in December, which was gladly accepted. Today Bombardier officially announced that a solution has been found. This must be a great relief to all companies and operators involved:

Bombardier announced today that its TRAXX locomotives, upgraded with the latest automatic train protection software (Railcolor: the latest version of EBI Cab 2000), have been approved for operation on Switzerland's Gotthard Base Tunnel. This authorization milestone was achieved in close cooperation between the Swiss Federal Office of Transport (FOT), SBB Infra, BLS Cargo and Bombardier.

"We thank the FOT, SBB Infra and BLS Cargo for the constructive teamwork that will enable our TRAXX locomotives to operate reliably and efficiently in the Gotthard Base Tunnel", said Albert Bastius, Head of Product Line Locomotives, Bombardier Transportation, "We are now continuing to see that the implementation of our latest software progresses well on the many locomotives in operation, so that our customers benefit from this updated version."

(..) The new software version will enable the TRAXX MS and AC locomotives (Re 486, BR 186, Re 487, BR 187) to run on all sections of the Gotthard Tunnel's track, including those using the advanced European Train Control System (ETCS) in Level 2 operation.

Locomotives that are not yet retrofitted can still run on all other lines in Switzerland, including those equipped with ETCS. In double traction operation as the non-leading locomotive, the locomotives can be operational even on the Gotthard Axis.

Update: A BLS Cargo freight train under ETCS level 2 on the Gotthard line on 01.12.2016:

With having 187 009 back in Germany, the experts know that Swiss Rail Traffic got back its yellow locomotive. Since last Friday back in business in Switzerland: 487 001.

(Theo Stolz / André Grouillet) 187 009-010 - test bed locomotives Swiss Rail Traffic TRAXX AC3

Yes, the large image shows Bombardier's Last Mile demonstration locomotive in Switzerland no 187 009. The red machine is now in service of Swiss Rail Traffic (SRT). SRT's own 487 001 is on its way to Munich, where it will be present at the 2015 edition of transport logistic 2015.

(Theo Stolz) 187 009-010 - test bed locomotives Swiss Rail Traffic TRAXX AC3

The authorization was granted after extensive testing of the eight locomotives ordered by Railpool, three of which were deployed in Switzerland by BLS. Four more will be delivered to Akiem, and an additional Traxx AC3 locomotive with the innovative Last Mile feature was handed over last week to the Swiss company Swiss Rail Traffic (SRT). The locomotive's Last Mile feature, a combination of auxiliary diesel engine and battery, will help SRT bridge a five-kilometre non-electrified line section.

The Last Mile feature enables the locomotive to cover the frequently non-electrified "last mile" in ports, container terminals, saw mills or railway stations under its own power, rendering shunting locomotives and other solutions obsolete. In fact, Last Mile-equipped locomotive are able to run on non-electrified line sections on their own power for up to eight hours – without reducing tractive effort as compared with running under catenary wire. Official Traxx locomotive approval is also expected in Austria and Germany in the immediate future. - Bombardier 187 001-003 - test bed locomotives 187 009-010 - test bed locomotives Akiem Traxx AC3 Last Mile Railpool Traxx AC3 LM Swiss Rail Traffic TRAXX AC3

Yesterday, we already saw the two yellow/blue Traxx MS locomotives on transport by RailAdventure. And this image showed the two electrics leaving the Netherlands again, bound for Emmerich on 30.01.2015. - TS/HZ/MB

NS TRAXX MS2e Swiss Rail Traffic TRAXX AC3

Swiss Rail Traffic (SRT) from Switzerland has ordered one Traxx AC3 locomotive. It will have the Last Mile shunting module, ETCS Level 2 and be homologated for Germany, Austria and Switzerland.

It will be immatriculated in Switzerland as 487 001. SRT plans to start operation with the machine in December 2014. Swiss Rail Traffic TRAXX AC3