Solothurn – Zollikofen – Bern Railway

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The Solothurn-Zollikofen-Bern-Bahn ( SZB ) is a former railway company in the cantons of Solothurn and Bern in Switzerland . It was created in 1922 through the merger of the Bern-Zollikofen-Bahn (BZB) with the Electric Narrow Gauge Railway Solothurn – Bern (ESB). In 1973 SZB entered into a collaboration with the United Bern-Worb-Bahnen (VBW), with which it finally merged in 1984 to form the company Regionalverkehr Bern-Solothurn (RBS). Today this operates the former SZB routes Solothurn – Bern and Unterzollikofen – Bern .

history

Priority share for 150 francs of the Solothurn-Zollikofen-Bern-Bahn from December 18, 1961

The merger came about on January 1, 1922 at the request of the Canton of Bern. After the merger, the following structural measures should be taken according to an expertise:

  • Creation of the so-called Rütti bypass line Zollikofen – Worblaufen with a three-rail track
  • Relocation of the roller bolster system from Zollikofen to Worblaufen
  • Reconstruction of the Worblaufen station with a new reception building
  • Relocation of the BZB line running in the street between Worblaufen and Bern-Tierspital on its own route

The first continuous train from Solothurn to Bern ran on October 1, 1924. With the discontinuation of changing trains in Zollikofen, traffic increased sharply until 1930, after which stagnation set in during the crisis years until the Second World War broke out and the rationing of fuel and tires resulted in a significant increase in traffic.

During the whole time, standard-gauge freight wagons were carried.

On January 1, 1974, the operating contract with VBW came into force. The introduction of the new operating concept on May 26, 1974 heralded a new era. The new approach to Bern turned the railways into an efficient means of suburban transport. Also this year, passenger self-service with ticket machines was extended to the entire suburb area.

From 1975 the signals were supplemented with magnets (ISR 72) for automatic train protection.

From 1976, the Worblaufen – Oberzollikofen line was expanded to two tracks. The double-track line went into operation on May 23, 1979. However, the second track does not have a third rail.

route

Technical data (1979)

  • Total track length: 55.00 km
  • Property length: 35,899 km
  • of which double lane: 6,125 km
  • Length of the three-rail track: 3,500 km
  • Private sidings, number 4
  • Private sidings, length 2,500 km
  • Largest gradient: 28/45 per mille
  • Number of stations / stops: 24
  • Tunnels: 3
  • Bridges over 10 m in length: 4
  • Type of current 1250 volts direct current

Route development and buildings

  • 1924 Commissioning of the vibrating line
  • 1955 Installation of a section block
  • 1955–1957 Relocation of the Worblaufen-Unterzollikofen main line to its own track
  • 1956 New construction of the Tiefenau station building
  • November 20, 1965 Underground introduction to Bern train station
  • November 20, 1965 The double-lane Aare bridge in Worblaufen went into operation
  • October 17, 1966 Opening of the Münchenbuchsee-Zollikofen bus service (line M)
  • 1974 The Unterzollikofen-Zollikofen route is closed
  • 1974 Double track Worblaufen-Bern in the lower area is completed
  • May 26, 1974 Underground introduction of VBW into Bern station
  • 1974 Opening of the Worblaufen high-rise station with the headquarters of the management
  • March 5, 1975 Opening of the Schönbühl Shoppyland stop (shopping center)
  • 1978 Construction of Depot 2 in Worblaufen
  • May 1979 Commissioning of the double lane Worblaufen-Oberzollikofen
  • On schedule change 22/23. May 1984 closure of the Jegenstorf Spital stop on demand

Rolling stock

  • 1949–1959: Conversion of all overland vehicles from vacuum to air brakes
  • 1950: Thanks to funds from private railway aid, three new shuttle train compositions are purchased for overland traffic
    • SZB BCFe 4/4 4–6
  • 1955: Acquisition of three new commuter trains for suburban traffic
    • SZB CFe 4/4 21-23
  • 1974: Acquisition of the new Be 4/8 commuter trains together with the VBW (41–47, 60–61)
    • SZB Be 4/8 48-52 (1974)
    • SZB Be 4/8 53 (1977)
    • SZB Be 4/8 54-59 (1978)

literature

  • Theo Stolz, Paul Bucher; Solothurn-Zollikofen-Bern-Bahn history and rolling stock . Self-published by the SZB in 1979, no ISBN

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ Railway Amateur 12/1975, page 600