Re 460 on the Track of Success!

We have already discussed the importance that Re 4/4’s and Re 6/6’s assume in Switzerland for freight and passenger trains. However, I consider worthy to mention that there is another locomotive that assumes a very great valour.
Although it is newer than the ones mentioned above, it probably is more popular among Swiss and Europeans. Whenever a person thinks of the Swiss Federal Railways (SBB CFF FFS) this locomotive comes to mind:

Re 460 003 pulling an Interregio

The Re 460 from the series LOK2000 built by SLM and ABB is the most widely known locomotive among the Swiss. 119 pieces (Re 460 000- Re 460 118) were built from 1991 to 1996. They were initially made to replace the Ae 3/6 and Ae 4/7. It is a four axle locomotive and has an electric system for 15 kv AC current (just like the Re 4/4). It definitely has more power than a Re 4/4, but less than a Re 6/6. It has a maximum power output corresponding to 5600 kW (Just like the TRAXX AC1) and a tractive effort of 230 kN, reaching a maximum speed of 200 km/h. It can pull a maximum load of 700 tons at a speed of 80 km/h.

Re 460 084 pulling an Interregio

It initially was used for freight and passenger services but since 2000 it is has been assigned only for passenger while the Re 6/6 is now being used only for freight. It is the only locomotive in Switzerland that pulls double-decked trains known as IC2000.
112 pieces out of 119 are named, just like the Re 6/6, after a Swiss town or region. The following locomotives don’t have a name:
Re 460 018
Re 460 021
Re 460 033
Re 460 035
Re 460 070
Re 460 074
Re 460 083

One of it’s characteristics is that it is the locomotive that acquires most often publicity-liveries. Many Re 460’s don’t currently have the typical red livery but a unique one with publicity on it. My intent though, is not to list the locomotives with the special liveries because they change them quite often and therefore in time this article would be quite outdated.

Re 460 044 with "Mondaine Gottardo 2016" livery

Re 460 107 with "Alptransit" livery

Unlike it’s predecessors Re 4/4 and 6/6, it is used also by other Railway companies around Europe and not only. In Finland it is at VR (Finnish Railways) service and is known as Sr2. In Norway it is known as NSB El 18 and is used by Norges Statsbaner. It is also used from Hong Kong to Guangzhou for passenger at MTR service. In Switzerland there are other 18 LOK2000’s known as Re 465 and used by BLS, but this is another story ;).

In conclusion great compliments go to SLM and ABB for the making of this locomotive that has had great success in Europe and Asia as well. We hope that the Re 460 (LOK 2000) can continue along this track of Success!