Do the trains run on “normal” electricity?

No. The trains run on traction current. This special “juice” has its own frequency of 16.7 hertz (Hz, vibrations per second). Household electricity has a frequency of 50 hertz.

Where does Zentralbahn get its electricity from?

The traction current is supplied by SBB. Zentralbahn obtains its 50-hertz electricity (household electricity) from local power companies such as EWN, EWO, and Alpenenergie Meiringen.

Why does the traction current come from SBB?

Sixteen Swiss railways, which operate their trains at a frequency of 16.7 hertz, jointly procure their traction current. Together, they can make more efficient use of Switzerland's hydropower potential and operate the 16.7 hertz network. The Federal Office of Transport has assigned this task to SBB.

How much traction current does Zentralbahn require per year?

Zentralbahn requires around 24 million kWh of traction current per year for the Lucerne–Engelberg and Lucerne–Interlaken routes. This electricity is used to operate the trains (via overhead lines) and, to a small extent, for switch heating. The power requirement for the Meiringen–Innertkirchen line is 290,000 kWh per year. This line is operated with direct current, and the power for this is sourced locally. In total, the Zentralbahn rail network is 102.7 km long and includes 205 points, among other things.

How much power do stops require?

This varies greatly. Stops are generally supplied with household electricity. Smaller stops such as Brienz West or Ewil Maxon have an electricity requirement of up to 10,000 kWh per year, average stations such as Kriens Mattenhof have a requirement of up to 50,000 kWh, and medium-sized to large stations with signal box connections, for example, have a requirement of up to 90,000 kWh. Zentralbahn continuously monitors energy consumption in order to reduce energy use and optimize costs.

Where does SBB's electricity come from?

90% of SBB's traction current comes from hydropower. The SBB energy network comprises eight of its own power stations and 12 converter stations, over 88 substations and more than 1,900 kilometers of transmission lines. SBB also owns a 16.7-hertz turbine at the EWO's Lungern Unteraa power plant in Giswil, which supplies a large part of the electricity for the Zentralbahn railway. In total, SBB supplies the Swiss rail system with around 2,500 gigawatt hours of energy per year.

Picture: Urs Stettler

How does traction current reach the Zentralbahn?

SBB traction current is fed in as follows: in Lucerne from the Emmenbrücke substation, in Engelberg via the Obermatt static frequency converter, in Kaiserstuhl from the 16.7-hertz turbine in the Giswil power station, and in Interlaken Ost via the BLS catenary from the Wimmis substation.

Why has the demand for traction current increased?

Traction current consumption depends on traffic. With the 2014 timetable and a significant increase in traffic, energy demand has risen by around 20 percent. Today, the Zentralbahn carries over 10 million passengers per year. That is 3 million more passengers than in 2012.

What is Zentralbahn doing to reduce energy consumption?

The lighting in stations and signals is equipped with modern LED lamps or will be converted in the coming years. In addition, more and more platforms are being equipped with intelligently switchable lamps that can be dimmed during off-peak hours or at night. Zentralbahn has optimized the air conditioning systems in its trains so that they do not cool or heat too much. In addition, locomotive crews are being trained in energy-efficient driving.

When will Zentralbahn be running on 100 percent electricity from renewable sources?

SBB is expected to supply us with traction current sourced entirely from renewable sources from 2025 onwards. This will be achieved by purchasing “green” electricity, which will be converted from 50 hertz to 16.7 hertz in frequency converters.

Does Zentralbahn generate its own electricity (50 Hertz)?

Yes, currently with two of its own photovoltaic systems. These were installed as part of a building envelope renovation on signal box buildings in Brunnenfluh (Meiringen municipality) and Käppeli (Lungern municipality). This year, two further systems will follow in Ringgenberg (roof of the station building) and Meiringen (roof of the southern maintenance base). Further systems are planned for the coming years, including on the new platform roof on track 2 in Sarnen and in Stansstad in connection with the new operations building. These systems are primarily intended to cover the company's own consumption at these locations and are financed by the railway infrastructure. The medium-term goal is to generate a large proportion of the company's own electricity consumption (50 Hertz) with its own photovoltaic systems.

Paper edition of the magazine “hin und weg” – also available as a subscription.

This is an article from the magazine “hin und weg”. You can find the printed version at the train stations in Engelberg, Sarnen, Stans and Meiringen, in all Travel Centres, as well as on trains. We will also be happy to send the magazine to your home address. Send an e-mail to hello@zentralbahn.ch with the subject “Subscribe to hin und weg magazine” and include your postal address in the body text of the message.