Stadler KISS
The Stadler KISS is a bilevel electric multiple unit commuter train developed by Stadler Rail of Switzerland. It is operated by the Swiss Federal Railways under the classification RABe 511, as well as by other European railways. In the early stages of development it was known as the Stadler DOSTO.
Name
The original name, "DOSTO", is derived from the German word Doppelstock, meaning "double decker". Since September 2010, Stadler refers to the train as "KISS", an acronym for komfortabler innovativer spurtstarker S-Bahn-Zug, meaning "comfortable, innovative, sprint-capable suburban train".
The trains's power plant is capable of delivering brief bursts (several minutes) of "sprint" power, over 6,000 kilowatts, enabling it to overtake other trains on short express tracks.
Features
The KISS vehicles are the third generation of vehicles for the S-Bahn Zürich. Compared to previous generations, they are characterized mainly by a higher number of standing passengers per car, in part because the longer trains have proportionately fewer cabs. Also, 15 cm width was won by placing the HVAC channels under the ceiling instead of the side panel. The headroom is still two meters, because friction stir welded floor panels made from aluminium extrusions are used. The number of seats, however, is slightly lower than in the previous models. Like in the KISS's predecessors, low-floor entrances, vehicle air conditioning and vacuum toilets (two, including one wheelchair accessible) are available. There are also two multi-functional areas with storage space for strollers, bicycles and the like.
Swiss Federal Railways
Swiss Federal Railways (German: Schweizerische Bundesbahnen (SBB), French: Chemins de fer fédéraux suisses (CFF), Italian: Ferrovie federali svizzere (FFS)) is the national railway company of Switzerland. It is usually referred to by the initials of its German, French and Italian names, either concatenated as SBB CFF FFS, or used separately. The Romansh version of its name, Viafiers federalas svizras, is not officially used.
The company is headquartered in Bern. Formerly a government institution, since 1999 it has been a special stock corporation with all shares held by the Swiss Confederation or the Swiss cantons.
Organization
Swiss Federal Railways is divided into three divisions and two groups:
The corporation is led in an entrepreneurial manner. A performance agreement between Swiss Federal Railways and the Swiss Confederation defines the requirements and is updated every four years. At the same time the compensation rates per train and track-kilometre are defined.
Podcasts:
