Initial situation

Over the next few years, various multiple unit fleets will undergo mid-life refits – a concept whereby a vehicle is brought up to the current state of the art halfway through its service life. Zentralbahn has decided to carry out these refits in Meiringen, which will require modifications to the infrastructure at the workshop site. On the one hand, the existing hall needs to be renovated, and on the other hand, the transfer table, built in 1972, has reached the end of its service life and needs to be replaced. 

Several older buildings are currently used for logistics. In order to optimize logistics workflows, these buildings will be replaced by a new building. The new building will meet long-term needs.

Renovation work on the infividual subprojects

In order to adapt the logistics volume to future requirements, numerous old buildings are being replaced by a new building. The new building will also enable various external warehouses to be closed. Workflows will be optimized by reducing the number of different buildings. The new building complies with all regulations, including those for the storage of hazardous materials. Social rooms and cloakrooms for all internal and external employees will be integrated on the upper floor at the front of the logistics building.

  • The existing hall will be replaced by a new building equipped with two tracks and a partial pit. After thorough examination of the refit process, it has been decided not to install an overhead line in the hall for safety reasons. The new hall will be designed without supports and in accordance with current standards and requirements. The replacement building will create a large double-track hall without structural obstacles, which is ideal for the refit of multiple units and the associated material logistics. 
  • The new refit hall will include a dedicated paint shop for treating the car bodies. The external paint shop included in the SPATZ mid-life refit concept was rejected due to the costs and long work interruptions. This will result in a higher investment sum, but the costs of the vehicle mid-life refits will be reduced. The existing track in the existing part will be slightly modified for welding and plumbing work.

The transfer table has reached the end of its service life, which has led to numerous repairs to the transfer table and the forecourt. The transfer table is to be replaced by a new system that is optimized for use. The entire forecourt will also be completely renovated.  

The transfer table trough will be designed to be accessible by vehicles and covered, so that the area can be optimally used for work processes, traffic routes, and temporary material storage.

Construction schedule  

  • June to September 2024: Demolition, installation, and temporary structures. 
    The construction site installations and temporary structures will be set up and the logistics buildings will be demolished. 
  • From September 2024 to July 2025: Construction of logistics hall. 
    The new logistics hall will be built. 
  • From July to October 2025: Demolition of refit hall, transfer table. 
    The refit hall and part of the track system at the entrance to the refit hall will be demolished. Construction of the new transfer table will begin. 
  • From August 2025 to mid-February: Transfer table. 
    The new transfer table is erected. 
  • From October 2025 to October 2026: Construction of the refit hall. 
    The new refit hall is built. 
  • From October 2026 to the end of the year: Commissioning with test phase. 
    The new facility is put into operation.

Restrictions and inconveniences

Access roads

Access to adjacent properties will be guaranteed. The construction sites will be cordoned off by the construction companies. In the interests of your safety, we ask you to respect the barriers.

Noise pollution

Construction work will generally take place from Monday to Friday between 7:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. During this time, noisy work will be unavoidable in some cases. We ask for your understanding.

Note: Information on night work will be published on the Resident Information page.

To the page «Information for residents»

Webcam

Note: The current status of the construction site can be viewed via live webcam in the following windows. The content is not accessible. Information on the schedule can be found in the section “Construction schedule.”

Insights into the current work

Update 5 | December 2025

Construction work continues to make great progress. The floor slab for the transfer table has been successfully completed, and the transfer table itself has now been delivered. In addition, the steel constructor has begun building the roof over the transfer table.

The project management team would like to express its sincere thanks to everyone involved for their hard work. Thanks to the dedicated teamwork of all those involved, the project was able to be handed over on schedule before the Christmas holidays.

Christmas break

There will be no construction work over the Christmas holidays. We wish all residents and everyone involved a merry and relaxing Christmas and a happy New Year.

On January 5, 2026, we will start the new construction year with renewed energy.

Update 4 | September 2025  

On August 19, 2025, the logistics hall and the staff rooms housed therein were handed over for operation.  

Meanwhile, preparations for the construction work on the refit hall and the transfer table were in full swing.  

From July to mid-August 2025, the protective scaffolding, visible from afar, was erected in the track area. This allows work on the new transfer table and the refit hall to be carried out despite ongoing train operations.  

Demolition of the old transfer table and the old hall began in August 2025.  

The renovation of the workshop area is being carried out during ongoing operations. This requires close coordination between the daily work in the workshop area and the construction work.

Update 3 | July 2025  

We are in the final sprint!  

Everyone involved is once again working flat out to ensure that the new logistics hall can be handed over to users on time in mid-August. Carpenters, painters, plasterers, electricians, plumbers, and many other trades are working hand in hand—with full commitment and good coordination—to ensure that everything is ready on time.

In addition, preparatory work for the construction of the sliding platform is already underway. The protective scaffolding is currently being erected during night shifts. We are doing our utmost to keep noise pollution to a minimum.  

Update 2 | February 2025  

After intensive construction work, our logistics building has been successfully erected. 

This milestone was celebrated with recognition of the successful cooperation of all those involved. Numerous tradespeople and project partners have been committed to the project and contributed to the construction progress to date. We are particularly pleased that the construction work has been accident-free so far.  

We would like to thank everyone involved for their commitment and look forward to the next stages of construction!

Update 1 | December 2024  

Work on the construction site is progressing rapidly. The focus is currently on structural work, which is advancing at full speed and at a rapid pace. The team on site is working to reach the planned milestones on schedule and lay the foundation for the next steps in the project. This involves concreting the ceilings and walls on the upper floor.  

An important phase is already imminent: the start of the steel construction is scheduled for the beginning of next year. This marks the transition of the project into a decisive phase, in which the supporting structure will become visible and the basic form of the building will take shape.   

We wish you a wonderful and relaxing Advent season and a peaceful Christmas. 
The project management team

Contact

Angela Schuler, overall project management

zb Zentralbahn AG
infrastructure
Bahnhofstrasse 23
6362 Stansstad 

+41 58 668 86 00