BCFe 4/6 – nostalgic twin railcar service – “Blauer Pfeil”
With a design influenced by the New Objectivity movement, the Blauer Pfeil, which was built in 1938, looks timelessly modern with its slightly streamlined front. Like SBB’s Red Arrow, it is one of the classics among modern trains. Its large windows and open view through the coach compartments allow for unique all-round visibility. The bench next to the train driver is particularly popular.
The twin railcar is designed to hold a maximum of 136 passengers. Small tables can be set up on request so that food can be served to 82 passengers.
- 136 Number of seats at-seat meal service: 82
- Waiter service option: the train does not have its own kitchen Special catering train
Rail vehicle details technical data, features
General information Be 545 761 formerly: Be 4/4 761
- BCFe 4/6 736 BLS Designation formerly: BCFZe 4/6 736 BN
- 1 Quantity
- 736 Number
- 1938 Put into service
Technical data
- 41.5 m Length
- 82 t Weight
- 710 kW Power output
- 110 km/h Maximum speed
Seating
- 50 Seats (third class) 30 with catering and waiter service
- 86 Seats (second class) 52 with catering and waiter service
- 14 Folding seats
- No Wheelchair spaces wheelchair accessibility is limited
- In the luggage compartment Bicycle spaces
Features
- No Low-floor access
- No Air conditioning
- Yes Heating
- Yes Passenger information on the train Train route display boards
- No Passenger information in the train
- 1 WC not wheelchair-accessible
- No Baby-changing facilities in WC
- No Video surveillance
- Yes Plug sockets for electronic devices in the catering and luggage compartments
- Carpet/linoleum Flooring
- Yes Rubbish bin at seats
- Yes Catering section with fridge
History historic rail vehicle
BLS introduced the lightweight one-piece railcar in 1935. The trial was so successful that BLS ordered three more BCFZe 4/6 lightweight railcars from Sécheron in Geneva. The Schweizerische Industrie Gesellschaft in Neuhasen near Schaffhausen supplied the mechanical part, the carriage body, the bogie and the interior fittings. The twin railcar was handed over in the summer of 1938. BLS showcased No. 731 at the Swiss National Exhibition in Zurich in 1939. For decades, the three railcars were the mainstay of passenger services on the BLS Group routes before they became too small for the volume of traffic, which was rising sharply, and were sold in 1983.
Over time, the Bern–Neuchâtel Railway BN, which operated No. 736 as part of the BLS Group, replaced the bogies, the drives and the hopper controller. In 1956, the third class was abolished and the two remaining classes were upgraded to first and second class. Sensetalbahn STB purchased BLS’s three twin railcars in 1983 and upgraded two of them from ABDZe 4/6 to BDe 4/6. The railcar part with the first-class luggage and post compartment was converted into a second- class coach with a luggage compartment. Railcar No. 731 was discontinued, thus freeing up its materials for use in the other two railcars. One railcar was scrapped in 1997, the second withdrawn in the autumn of 1999. Tramverein Bern TVB acquired this last “Blauer Pfeil” and salvaged it as a favour. In 2012, the BLS Foundation purchased railcar No. 736 back from Tramverein Bern for a symbolic price, marking one of the most important benchmark figures of its history.
Contact Advice and assistance
We organise and drive the train while you celebrate and have fun
Whether it’s for 20 or as many as 2,000 guests, we can offer you modern and nostalgic trains, or even just a single carriage.
We take care of the catering and ambience, arrange live music or magician performances and even organise a festive reception at the train station at your destination if you'd like.
