We have replaced the existing catenary system in the Vereina Tunnel and at the RhB loading stations with a rigid overhead conductor rail system. The retrofit was carried out under live operating conditions – exclusively during nightly closures..
Due to the increased use of open transporter wagons, new requirements have been defined to ensure passenger safety during vehicle transport with the RhB. A system changeover was implemented in the 19-kilometre-long Vereina Tunnel to rule out the risk of injury in the event of a torn overhead contact line. This involved replacing the existing catenary system by a rigid overhead conductor rail system.
The process was completed within tight schedules between 2023 and 2025. During winter, in particular, there were only around three hours of effective working time available per night. Despite the challenging conditions, dismantling, delivery, and installation were completed as planned.
The new system, featuring 26 kilometers of installed rigid overhead conductor rail, was sucessfully commissioned and on schedule in Novemeber 2025.
