[CH] On transport: Grandma Holzroller and a TILO FLIRT

Stadler will be delivering nine FLIRT EMU’s to Italy’s FNM which will be deployed on the Ticino Lombardy (TILO) cross-border services between Italy and Switzerland. At the end of 2019, Railcolor News already showed you units 524 301 and 302 out and about. Recently, a brand new, third one was sent on a special mission…

…to Czechia’s VUZ Velim circuit. The reason? Tests, of course. On 25.06.2020, Marcel Lotzen caught a special transfer service with the six-car RABe 524 303 in Waghäusel (DE) on its way towards Bad Schandau and, eventually, Czechia.

TILO’s RABe 524 303 on the road to Czechia, seen in Waghäusel (DE) 25.06.2020 Photo credit: Marcel Lotzen

There is more to it than it meets the eye – the trainset is fully branded, featuring TILO’s new logo, as well as SBB/CFF/FFS logo on the sides. Curiously, the new visual identity of the cross-border operator is (still) missing.

TILO’s RABe 524 303 on the road to Czechia, seen in Waghäusel (DE) 25.06.2020 Photo credit: Marcel Lotzen

The special transfer was led by Press’ classic, LEW-built electric E42 001. Can you believe this locomotive is now almost 60 years old?

E42 001 of Press, seen pulling TILO’s RABe 524 303 in Waghäusel (DE) 25.06.2020 Photo credit: Marcel Lotzen