To mark the anniversary of the OeBB, we recently published a railway history with locomotive trains. But everyday life looked a little different…
The Be 2/4 201 ex BLS Ce 2/4 721 from 1935, purchased by the OeBB in 1958, was responsible for most of the passenger trains on the Oensingen – Balsthal railway OeBB.
Second shot of the OeBB Be 2/4 201 travelling towards Oensingen in the original livery taken over from BLS, Thalbrücke stop.
Shortly after this photo was taken, Be 2/4 201 was sent to the BLS main workshop in Spiez, where it underwent a major overhaul: new bogies, new high-voltage feed-in, new interior fittings, additional seats in place of the toilet that was no longer needed on the short line. June 1973 Photo: Werner Hardmeier, Rümlang
During the absence of the Be 2/4 201, the externally similar Be 2/4 722 of the Bern – Neuchâtel Railway BN took over most of the trains. In 1973, the rented BN railcar was still on reserve in Balsthal. The type EW I SBB passenger coach is astonishing. Such a modern passenger coach was hardly ever seen on the OeBB. June 1973 Photo: Werner Hardmeier, Rümlang
Be 2/4 722 at Oensingen station. October 1974 Photo: Werner Hardmeier, Rümlang
Be 2/4 722 at full speed against the background of an autumn-coloured forest between Klus station and Oensingen.
October 13 1978 Photo: Edi Meier, Bülach
After its hire period on the OeBB, BN 2/4 722 returned to the BLS Group. After some time, it was restored as a historical exhibit, here in Schwarzenburg, with its old designation BN Ce 2/4 727. It also spent some time in the Swiss Museum of Transport in Lucerne. April 1982 Photo: Werner Hardmeier, Rümlang
Be 2/4 201 appeared in the new OeBB light blue colour scheme after the main overhaul in 1975. Here it was photographed with a suitably painted aluminium Bi ex Seetal in Balsthal. May 1978 Photo: Werner Hardmeier, Rümlang
The Be 2/4 201 waits in Oensingen as a solo runner, as it was usually underway. August 18 1981 Photo: Edi Meier, Bülach
On May 9 1982 the Be 2/4 201 waits for passengers in Oensingen. Photo: Edi Meier, Bülach
A special German visitor to Balsthal: the ET 491 001 «Glassy Train» next to the parked Be 2/4 201. According to the route board, the German Railway History Society was on its 100th journey with the «Glassy Train». The round trip through Switzerland took the route Burgdorf – Solothurn – Oensingen – Balsthal – Wildegg – Seetalbahn – Beromünster – Lucerne – Langnau – Burgdorf. In the Seetal valley, two railway lines that have since been closed were used… Starting point for new railway stories… May 20 1982 Photos Patrick Hoffmann
For comments and additions to this railway history, please contact our Vice President Edi Meier. Thank you for your help.
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