The ABe 4/4 II was a four-axle electric railcar ordered by the RhB for the Bernina line that is being operated with 1 kV DC, unlike most of the RhB network. Like the older ABe 4/4 I and the more modern ABe 4/4 III, they have enough power to haul additional cars. In this case, the maximum trailing load on the seven percent ramp is 60 tonnes at 27 km/h. The regenerative brake creates substantial power savings under these conditions. Multiple working is possible not only with other ABe 4/4 II, but also the Gem 4/4 and the ABe 4/4 III.
Nine vehicles were built in two batches in 1964-1965 and in 1972. The mechanical part was assembled in Schlieren, while the electrical components came from SAAS, Oerlikon and BBC. All were withdrawn from regular service in 2010 due to the introduction of the new “Allegra” trains. Two are still being used for track maintenance. Numbers 46 and 47 are still running as historic vehicles.
