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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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2013-04-04
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[CH] DB Schenker over the Gotthard with SBB Cargo instead of BLS Cargo
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update 2013|04|04
[CH] DB Schenker over the Gotthard with SBB Cargo instead of BLS Cargo
It is rumbling on the Gotthard line. After years of cooperation with BLS Cargo, DB Schenker has closed a deal with SBB Cargo in stead for the Gotthard transit services, starting in December 2013. Curious detail is that DB Schenker itself owns 45% of BLS Cargo, the company that now looses an important part of its transport volume.
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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
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BLS Cargo Re485: 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 Re485: 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 Re485: Select your Locomotive: |
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Alstom
