The BLS RABe 525, also known as NINA or Nina, is a Swiss electric multiple unit built by Bombardier Transportation with electrical equipment by Alstom. The train is principally used by the BLS AG on Bern S-Bahn services, four units (525 038-041) belong to RegionAlps. An updated version exists as the BLS RABe 535, also known as Lötschberger, also exists with a revised front end and an interior intended for longer distance services.
Design The articulated trainset was designed to be built with from two to six sections and with two to six motorized axles. The 3 car units have a length of , they are wide and tall. It has 20 first class seats and 114 second class seats as well as 70 standing places. The 4 car units have a length of , they are wide and tall. It has 20 first class seats and 159 second class seats as well as 85 standing places. The design speed is . The RABe 525 and 535 are technically equal in terms of traction equipment.
Operation The RABe 525 is used on the following routes: – –– / Thun––––- –Burgdorf– Bern–– + – / ––– Lucerne–Wolhusen– ––
Refit program Between 2015 and 2019, BLS modernised its entire Nina fleet. The 1st class is no longer in the high-floor compartment, but has been moved to the low-floor area. The lighting has also been adapted so that all compartments are well lit. The toilets were also be slightly adapted. A standing area was created in 2nd class and the colour scheme inside and outside the vehicles was standardised so that all trains have the same design. The refit was completed in June 2019.
Named units BLS initially named the NINA after bodies of water. Later, "Wankdorf" was added as a stop and "Konolfingen" was the first place with a coat of arms. After the refit, two more NINAs were baptised with the coats of arms of towns.
Only the baptised vehicles are listed: Unit Name Image525 001 La Thielle/Zihl 525 002 Schwarzwasser 525 003 Emme 525 004 La Broye 525 005 Aare Menznau 525 006 Gürbe Willisau 525 007 Gäbelbach Huttwil 525 008 La Sarine/Saane 525 009 Schwarzsee 525 010 Gerzensee LINA
Unit Name Image525 011 Müntschemier 525 012 Mühleberg 525 013 Konolfingen 525 014 Wohlensee 525 017 Grabebach 525 018 Thunersee 525 020 Scherlibach 525 022 Worble 525 026 Chräbsbach 525 027 Glütschbach 525 028 La Bibera/Bibere 525 033 Wankdorf
Baptism name removed after modernisation Municipal coat of arms instead of rivers Station instead of river
References
Bibliography Josef Stöckli, Hans Vorburger: Die Niederflur-Nahverkehrs-Pendelzüge RABe 525 „NINA“ der BLS, TMR und TRN. In: Eisenbahn-Revue International, Heft 2/2003, , S. 68–79.
External links
Vehicle description of RABe 525 from the BLS web site