Arbalète (train)
| Overview | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Service type |
Trans Europ Express (TEE) (1957–1979) InterCity (IC) (1979–1987) EuroCity (EC) (1987–1997) | ||||
| Status | Replaced by a TGV | ||||
| Locale |
France Switzerland | ||||
| First service | 2 June 1957 | ||||
| Last service | 28 September 1997 | ||||
| Former operator(s) |
SNCF SBB-CFF-FFS | ||||
| Route | |||||
| Start | Paris-Est | ||||
| End | Zürich HB | ||||
| Service frequency | Daily | ||||
| Technical | |||||
| Track gauge | 1,435 mm (4 ft 8 1⁄2 in) | ||||
| Electrification |
15 kV AC, 16.7 Hz (Basel SBB–Zürich HB) | ||||
| |||||
The Arbalète (alternatively written L'Arbalète)[1] was an express train that linked Paris-Est in Paris, France, with Zürich HB in Zurich, Switzerland. Introduced in 1957, it was operated by the SNCF and the Swiss Federal Railways (SBB-CFF-FFS).
The train was named after the crossbow used by William Tell to hit the apple on his son's head.
Originally, and for 22 years, the Arbalète was a first-class-only Trans Europ Express (TEE). On 27 May 1979, it became a two-class InterCity (IC) train,[2] and on 31 May 1987, it was included in the then-new EuroCity (EC) network.[3] It was discontinued in September 1997, replaced by a TGV service that was routed via Pontarlier and Bern instead of Mulhouse and Basel.
See also
- History of rail transport in France
- History of rail transport in Switzerland
- List of named passenger trains of Europe
References
Notes
- ↑ The Thomas Cook Timetable, for example, always identified the train as "L'Arbalète".
- ↑ Thomas Cook International Timetable (May 27–June 30, 1979 edition), p. 6. Peterborough, UK: Thomas Cook Publishing.
- ↑ Thomas Cook Continental Timetable (May 31–June 30, 1987 edition), pp. 472, 475. Thomas Cook Publishing.
Bibliography
- Malaspina, Jean-Pierre; Mertens, Maurice (2007). TEE: la légende des Trans-Europ-Express [TEE: The Legend of the Trans Europ Express]. Auray: LR Presse. ISBN 978-29-03651-45-9. (French)
- Malaspina, Jean-Pierre; Mertens, Maurice (2008). TEE: la leggenda dei Trans-Europ-Express [TEE: The Legend of the Trans Europ Express]. Salò: ETR – Editrice Trasporti su Rotaie. ISBN 978-88-85068-31-5. (Italian)
- Mertens, Maurice; Malaspina, Jean-Pierre; von Mitzlaff, Berndt (2009). TEE - Die Geschichte des Trans-Europ-Express [TEE - The History of the Trans Europ Express]. Düsseldorf: Alba Publikation. ISBN 978-3-87094-199-4. (German)
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