THE Z SCALE MODEL
(scroll down for information on the prototype locomotive)
Introducing the Re 465 to the Z scale range of Swiss models in 1997 simply meant doing a respray on the existing Re 460 body - introduced in late 1995 - for Maerklin, as both locomotives are outwardly identical. The first Re 465 released was BLS Re 465 002-4 Gornergrat (catalogue number 88448).
The blue BLS livery really worked fine on the model (perhaps even more so than on the prototype) and brought out the finer qualities of the loco shell. Maerklin's loco body for the Re 460/465 not only stands up to enlargement views, it actually looks better and better the closer you take a look at it. Together with refined printing techniques, this is an example of a Z scale model which belies the tiny size of the model.
In 2003, the Z scale Re 465 changed its appearance from the standard blue BLS livery to one of the increasingly growing number of "flashy" liveries on BLS locos, namely BLS Re 465 001 AlpTransit Connecting Europe (catalogue number 88464).
Put simply, the Re 465 is an advanced development of the Re 460. The sole difference concerns traction control, which results in a higher (+600 kW) power output compared to the Re 460. Outwardly, both locomotive classes are absolutely identical, leaving the livery and the loco markings as only reference points to distinguish one from the other - which is fairly easy, as the Re 465 have come to be associated with the Bern-Loetschberg-Simplon Bahn (BLS), even though not all of the Re 465s are actually owned by BLS.
Introduced 1996 (4 years after Re 460), the Re 465 entered traffic on passenger services between Brig and Berne as well as freight trains, where they were seen fairly often in multiple traction with other locomotive classes (the Dolmetschter control system allows the class to be used in multiple with virtually an yother lcoomotive from the BLS and SBB roster).
Along with 8 locos ordered by BLS (Re 465 001-008), the Swiss Federal Railways SBB also purchased 8 locomotives of the class (re 465 009-016). These were acquired with a view to the 4m gauge piggyback ("Huckepack") corridor over the Loetschberg route but were rented out straight away to BLS and therefore acquired BLS liveries straight away. Prior to the opening of the Loetschberg corridor the Re 465s could be seen in multiple on the Gotthard route, but following regular 4m gauge Hupac services through the Loetschberg they had left the Gotthard route. They were, however, back in the spring of 2003, towing freight trains for Deutsche Bahn AG between Basel and Chiasso within the new operative framework provided by free access regulations.
Re 465 009 is one of the 8 SBB-owned members of the class, heading a Hupac freight near Berne on 12 November 2003Once BLS has seen complete delivery of its class Re 485 locomotives the Re 465s will be handed over to SBB passenger services where the class will be used to pull Bahn 2000 services.
Page created 08/NOV/2004
Last revised 16/MAR/2006
