Sensetalbahn

Sensetalbahn AG (STB), French: chemin de fer de la vallée de la Singine, was a Swiss transport company that operated the Flamatt–Laupen–Gümmenen railway line in the Sense valley (Singine) during the 20th century. The company was founded on 23 January 1904 to connect the Lausanne–Bern line of the Swiss Federal Railways (CFF/SBB) with the Bern–Neuchâtel line of the BLS, following the Sense valley. Its line was 11.45 km long, linking Flamatt to Gümmenen via Laupen. The line was electrified on 30 January 1938 with a single-phase 15 kV 16.7 Hz overhead catenary, matching the supply of both the CFF and BLS networks. Over the decades, the STB's role evolved. From 1 June 1975, the CFF served the industrial sidings at Neuenegg for freight, using Ae 6/6 and Re 4/4 I locomotives. In 1987, the CFF introduced a RegioExpress service between Laupen and Bern via Flamatt, leaving the STB to operate only regional trains on its own line. On 23 May 1993, the section between Laupen and Gümmenen was closed and replaced by a bus service, reducing the line length from 11.45 km to 6.8 km. In 2001, the CFF took over rail service on the remaining Laupen–Flamatt section, and from December 2004, with the introduction of the Bern S-Bahn, operation passed to the BLS. Freight traffic declined sharply after the closure of the Amcor Rentsch printing works in Laupen, the end of oilseed cultivation there, and structural changes in regional industry; since 2005, CFF Cargo no longer served the Wander AG siding. The railway infrastructure between Flamatt and Laupen remained the property of the STB, while operation and maintenance were carried out by the CFF under a concession. BLS trains ran every half hour between Laupen and Flamatt, with a crossing at Neuenegg. The old 1966 signal box was used until 2012. Since 13 April 2012, a new control centre has been in service, remotely controlled from Bern, and from 2015 from Olten. At Laupen, a new railway and bus station was built 300 metres towards Neuenegg, with new P+R parking. The track was shortened to end at the Sense bridge, allowing removal of the Bösingenstrasse level crossing. From December 2019, the CFF, under mandate from STB Sensetalbahn AG, refurbished the tracks and contact line between Flamatt and Laupen and modified the platforms at four stations (Flamatt Dorf, Flamatt, Neuenegg and Laupen) for step-free access for people with reduced mobility and pushchairs, in compliance with the Disability Equality Act (LHand). On Monday 5 April 2021, after two years of work costing 64 million Swiss francs, S-Bahn traffic resumed on the fully renovated line. On 12 June 2025, Sensetalbahn AG was struck from the commercial register following a merger by absorption into the Swiss Federal Railways. Since that absorption, the infrastructure is fully owned by the CFF. The company's rolling stock history includes steam locomotives Ed 3/4, steam railcars Ed 2/2 (nicknamed "glass boxes"), a used Bavarian PtL 2/2 steam railcar converted to Cm 1/2 No. 1, the new BDe 2/4 101 railcar acquired in 1938 (the company's only new rolling stock purchase), the experimental electric locomotive Ce 4/4 13502 "Marianne" leased then bought from the CFF in 1940 and used until 1964, used ABe 4/4 railcars from the SOB modified to Be 4/4 and numbered 106 and 107, an electric shunter acquired in 1965 and sold to the CFF three years later, replaced in 1969 by diesel tractor Tm 238 114, and BDe 4/6 102 and 103 built in 1938 and bought from the BLS in 1985. The last STB trains were operated with shuttle sets leased from the SZU. Diesel tractors Tm 238 111 and 114 used for freight were sold to the CFF in 2000.

Sensetalbahn AG (STB) was founded on 23 January 1904 as the chemin de fer de la vallée de la Singine, with the aim of connecting the Lausanne–Bern line of the Swiss Federal Railways (CFF) to the Bern–Neuchâtel line of the BLS by following the Sense valley. At the beginning of the 20th century, the village of Laupen was far from railway lines, and the idea arose to link the two main lines. The company's line, 11.45 km long, connected Flamatt to Gümmenen via Laupen and was put into service at the time of foundation. On 30 January 1938, the line was electrified. The choice of a single-phase 15 kV 16.7 Hz overhead catenary was natural because both the CFF and BLS lines used the same supply. In terms of rolling stock, the initial traffic was mainly handled by Ed 3/4 steam locomotives. Too heavy, they were replaced by Ed 2/2 steam railcars, nicknamed "glass boxes". After World War I, the STB acquired a used PtL 2/2 steam railcar from the Royal Bavarian Railways, converted to Cm 1/2 and numbered 1. In 1938, the company acquired the new BDe 2/4 101 railcar, then designated CFe 2/4; this was the company's only acquisition of new rolling stock. In 1940, to reinforce No. 101, the company first leased from the CFF, then bought, the experimental electric locomotive Ce 4/4 13502 "Marianne", which had initially served for electric traction tests on the Seebach–Wettingen line. It remained in service until 1964, the year its replacement, No. 107, was acquired. In 1958 and 1964, the railway bought used ABe 4/4 railcars from the SOB, which modified them to Be 4/4 and numbered them 106 and 107 respectively. In 1965, the company acquired an electric shunter, which it sold to the CFF three years later and replaced in 1969 with the diesel tractor Tm 238 114. The last railcars acquired by the STB were BDe 4/6 102 and 103, built in 1938 and bought from the BLS in 1985. Nevertheless, their remarkable age quickly became apparent, and the last STB trains were operated by shuttle sets leased from the SZU. The diesel tractors Tm 238 111 and 114 used for freight were sold to the CFF in 2000. From 1 June 1975, the CFF served the industrial sidings at Neuenegg for freight service, using Ae 6/6 and Re 4/4 I locomotives to haul freight trains between Bern and Neuenegg. In 1987, the CFF introduced a RegioExpress service, with their own sets, between Laupen and Bern via Flamatt, giving the inhabitants of Laupen and Neuenegg a direct connection to the capital without transfer at Flamatt. The STB then operated only regional trains on its line. The introduction of the Bern regional express network marked the end of rail transport between Laupen and Gümmenen. The Sensetalbahn, like several secondary line operators, faced a difficult situation, and on 23 May 1993, the section between Laupen and Gümmenen was closed and replaced by a bus service. Trains still ran between Laupen and Flamatt. In 2001, rail service on this section was taken over by the CFF, and from December 2004, with the appearance of the Bern S-Bahn, operation was taken over by the BLS. Freight traffic declined massively following the cessation of production at the Amcor Rentsch printing works in Laupen, the end of oilseed cultivation in Laupen, and structural change in the region's industry. Since 2005, CFF Cargo no longer served the Wander AG siding. The railway infrastructure between Flamatt and Laupen remained the property of the STB. Operation and maintenance were ensured by the CFF, which held a concession on this section. BLS trains ran every half hour between Laupen and Flamatt, with a crossing at Neuenegg. The old 1966 signal box was used until 2012. Since 13 April 2012, the new control centre has been in service with remote control from Bern, and from 2015 from Olten. At Laupen, a brand-new railway and road station was built at a new location, 300 metres towards Neuenegg, with new P+R parking spaces. The track was shortened and ends at the Sense bridge, which allowed the removal of the Bösingenstrasse level crossing. Since December 2019, the CFF, under mandate from STB Sensetalbahn AG, refurbished the tracks and contact line between Flamatt and Laupen. They also modified the platforms of the four stations (Flamatt Dorf, Flamatt, Neuenegg and Laupen), allowing step-free access for people with reduced mobility (PMR) and pushchairs, in compliance with the Disability Equality Act (LHand). On Monday 5 April 2021, after two years of work, S-Bahn traffic was able to resume on the fully renovated railway line. The cost of the work amounted to 64 million Swiss francs. Since the absorption of the company by the CFF on 12 June 2025, the infrastructure is their full property.

• 2025

  On 12 June, Sensetalbahn AG is struck from the commercial register following absorption by the Swiss Federal Railways.

• 2021

  On 5 April, S-Bahn traffic resumes on the fully renovated line after two years of work costing 64 million Swiss francs.

• 2019

  From December, the CFF refurbishes tracks and contact line between Flamatt and Laupen and modifies four station platforms for step-free access.

• 2015

  Remote control of the control centre transferred to Olten.

• 2012

  On 13 April, the new control centre enters service with remote control from Bern; the old 1966 signal box is retired.

• 2005

  CFF Cargo ceases to serve the Wander AG siding.

• 2004

  From December, operation taken over by the BLS with the introduction of the Bern S-Bahn.

• 2001

  Rail service on the Laupen–Flamatt section taken over by the CFF.

• 2000

  Diesel tractors Tm 238 111 and 114 sold to the CFF.

• 1993

  On 23 May, the Laupen–Gümmenen section is closed and replaced by a bus service; line length reduced to 6.8 km.

• 1987

  The CFF introduces a RegioExpress service between Laupen and Bern via Flamatt.

• 1985

  Purchase of BDe 4/6 102 and 103 railcars from the BLS.

• 1975

  From 1 June, the CFF serves the Neuenegg industrial sidings for freight.

• 1969

  Replacement of the shunter with diesel tractor Tm 238 114.

• 1965

  Acquisition of an electric shunter, sold to the CFF three years later.

• 1964

  Purchase of a second used ABe 4/4 railcar from the SOB, modified to Be 4/4 No. 107, replacing "Marianne".

• 1958

  Purchase of a used ABe 4/4 railcar from the SOB, modified to Be 4/4 No. 106.

• 1940

  Lease then purchase of the experimental electric locomotive Ce 4/4 13502 "Marianne" from the CFF.

• 1938

  Electrification of the line on 30 January with 15 kV 16.7 Hz single-phase catenary; acquisition of the new BDe 2/4 101 railcar.

• 1904

  Foundation of Sensetalbahn AG on 23 January and opening of the Flamatt–Laupen–Gümmenen line (11.45 km).

Regional Swiss railway operator and infrastructure owner in the Sense valley, later a concession-owning entity whose line was operated by CFF and BLS.

• Flamatt–Laupen–Gümmenen railway line

  11.45 km line opened in 1904, reduced to 6.8 km after 1993 closure of the Laupen–Gümmenen section.

• Regional passenger rail services

  Operated by STB until 2001, then by CFF and from 2004 by BLS.

• Freight services

  Served industrial sidings at Neuenegg; declined and ended by 2005.

1. 1Sensetalbahn - Wikidatawikidata.org
2. 2Sensetalbahn - Wikipédiafr.wikipedia.org