Arbalète (train)

Arbalète
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 (1957-06-02)
Last service 28 September 1997 (1997-09-28)
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)
Route map

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

References

Notes

  1. ↑ The Thomas Cook Timetable, for example, always identified the train as "L'Arbalète".
  2. ↑ Thomas Cook International Timetable (May 27–June 30, 1979 edition), p. 6. Peterborough, UK: Thomas Cook Publishing.
  3. ↑ Thomas Cook Continental Timetable (May 31–June 30, 1987 edition), pp. 472, 475. Thomas Cook Publishing.

Bibliography

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