SBB RBe 540

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Starting in 1959, the SBB motor coach of the type RBe 4/4 (current designation RBe 540) was introduced as a replacement for the old SBB electric locomotives Ae 3/5, Ae 3/6 I, Ae 3/6 II and Ae 3/6 III with three driving axles. As a consequence, they had much power at their disposal, even more than the Re 4/4 I locomotives, a regenerative brake, cabs on both ends with doors to passenger carriages as well as multiple unit (SBB Vst IIId type) or driving trailer control. The original motor coaches had 64 seats, 32 smoking and 32 non-smoking, and were painted in ordinary SBB green. The first six prototypes, each costing one million Swiss francs, were delivered 1959 and 1960, and first shown to the press at 24 May 1959. The prototypes had some issues which were fixed prior to production of the series. The production units were four tonnes heavier. 76 units were ordered and put into service between 1963 and 1966. Most of the technical equipment is installed below the passenger compartment, leading to a higher than usual floor level than ordinary carriages had. Some of the equipment and the toilet is installed in the middle of the multiple unit, instead of passenger compartments. The conventional transformer technology with its rough step controller (28 running notches) together with occasional heavy vibrations led to the nickname "Schüttelbecher" ("shaker"). Starting in 1992, all units (except for the prototypes) were modernized to fit the needs of S-Bahn operations. This included cloth seats instead of the plastic ones and some other interior modifications, NPZ livery, automatic doors for conductor-less operation as well as the installation of an additional thyristor controller, for which a passenger compartment had to be given up. The latter improved running smoothness considerably, especially when using the regenerative brake....