Skip to main content

HEROS sells three high-performance locomotives (Re 465) to MAKIES AG

29.04.2026 // HEROS sells three high-performance locomotives (Re 465) to MAKIES AG

The three locomotives, which until recently were still in service with BLS AG, were acquired by HEROS Helvetic Rolling Stock GmbH as part of a marketing contract in place since mid-2025 and sold to MAKIES AG.

MAKIES AG will use the powerful electric locomotives to replace the ageing traction units previously used for its gravel trains.
Until the end of 2025, the Re 465s were used by BLS Cargo, on car transport services and on the GoldenPass Express from Interlaken to Zweisimmen. From 2026, BLS Cargo ceased using them. HEROS Helvetic Rolling Stock was commissioned to market the locomotives that were becoming available.
In future, the locomotives are to be used in shuttle trains with gravel wagons, consisting of one Re 465, up to 16 gravel wagons and a second Re 465 or a driving trailer from the BLS AG fleet. The heavy gravel trains must reliably meet the minimum operational requirements even when starting from a standstill on topographically challenging routes. For this reason, test runs were carried out in mid-January 2026 on a critical section of track between Menznau and Wolhusen in the canton of Lucerne with fully loaded gravel wagons prior to the sale. The Re 465 impressively confirmed BLS AG’s theoretical calculations in the process.
In parallel with the purchase of the locomotives, MAKIES will also acquire two suitable driving trailers from BLS. BLS AG will convert and technically prepare these trailers in accordance with MAKIES AG’s requirements prior to their deployment for the intended operational use.
In addition, MAKIES AG and BLS AG have concluded a service agreement for the rolling stock, which secures the long-term maintenance of the locomotives and driving trailers.
With the sale of the three locomotives to MAKIES and the sale of two further locomotives to Stadler, which were handed over at the start of the year, a subsequent use has been found for all currently surplus locomotives of the Re 465 series.

Electric locomotive engine Re465 for catenary voltage of 15kV, 16.7Hz, tractive effort 320kN, sold to Makies AG for heavy haul of gravel trains at transfer when passing lake of Thun

Electric locomotive consist Re465 for catenary voltage of 15kV, 16.7Hz, tractive effort 320kN, sold to Makies AG for heavy haul of gravel trains at transfer when between Hüswil and Zell

Further information

Re 465 Technical Specifications

  • Manufacturer: SLM Winterthur, ABB Zurich
  • Year of manufacture: 1994 – 1997
  • Wheel arrangement: Bo’Bo‘
  • Track gauge: 1435 mm
  • Length over buffers: 18,500 mm
  • Width: 3000 mm
  • Height: 4540 mm
  • Driving wheel diameter: 1100 mm
  • Operating weight: 84 t
  • Maximum speed: 160 km/h
  • Rated power: 7000 kW
  • Continuous power: 6400 kW
  • Tractive effort on starting: 320 kN
  • Power supply system: AC 15 kV 16.7 Hz
  • Special features: Single-axle control, six-pole asynchronous traction motors
  • Multiple unit control:
    • FSK for single-type multiple unit operation with Re 465
    • ZMS for multiple-unit traction with Re 465, Re 475, Re 485, Re 486
    • ETB for shuttle train operations (car trains, GoldenPass Express, gravel shuttle trains)

BLS AG at a glance

BLS is one of the largest transport companies in Switzerland. In our core rail business, we operate commuter and leisure services and maintain a 424-kilometre rail network. In addition, we bring together bus operations, car transport, shipping and freight transport under one roof. We develop land no longer required for rail operations into attractive spaces for living and working. BLS connects people, regions and places.
In 2025, 205,500 people travelled on BLS trains every day. Further key figures can be found online at bls.ch/zahlen. In the BLS Inside section, we also regularly publish background stories from the world of BLS – let yourself be inspired.

Information on MAKIES AG

MAKIES AG, based in Gettnau in the canton of Lucerne, operates in the fields of gravel processing, concrete production, recycling and transport of mineral raw materials. In addition to using its own fleet of lorries, MAKIES AG has also relied on rail for the delivery and removal of its materials for 40 years. It therefore not only has rolling stock such as locomotives and rail wagons, but also a high-performance infrastructure with its own track systems, through which around 400,000 tonnes of material are handled annually.