The Matterhorn Gotthard Railway (MGBahn) and Stadler have introduced a significant development in railway technology with the unveiling of the world’s fastest rack-and-pinion railway. This achievement has been made possible through the development of a new braking system, allowing cogwheel trains to travel at unprecedented speeds on the Andermatt – Göschenen route.
As part of a collaborative project, MGBahn and Stadler have developed the new “v+” rack-and-pinion braking system, which was officially presented to the public in Andermatt. The first Stadler ORION multiple-unit train equipped with this technology is now in service on the Andermatt – Göschenen line, which has a steep gradient of 181‰.
The new braking system enables trains to travel downhill at speeds of up to 30 km/h—significantly faster than the previous limit of 21 km/h set by railway regulations for similar gradients. The enhanced braking force ensures that the train can come to a complete stop within the required safety standards.
This technological advancement has resulted in a reduction in journey times by four minutes, from 15 minutes to 11 minutes. As a result, MGBahn can now operate a half-hourly service on the Andermatt – Göschenen section with just one train instead of two. Initially, the time savings will be used to stabilise the timetable and improve connections for passengers.
Industry-Wide Implications
According to Christoph Leiterer, Head of Engineering for Tailor Made at Stadler, the new braking system provides significant benefits for both railway operators and passengers. He highlighted that the system enables shorter journey times, improved service frequency, and more stable timetables. The technology is now available for adoption by other rack railways for future projects.
Development and Future Implementation
The “v+” braking system—named for its ability to achieve higher speeds—was developed through close collaboration between MGBahn and Stadler. The project aimed to optimise existing technologies to meet increasing demands for higher service frequency and punctuality. A Stadler-supplied ORION multiple-unit train was used as the prototype for testing and development. The initiative received financial support from the federal government, with approval granted by the Federal Office of Transport (FOT).
Ivan Pfammatter, Head of Rolling Stock & Traction at MGBahn, expressed his satisfaction with the project’s outcome, stating that the new technology would provide passengers with faster and more reliable connections while allowing the railway to make significant operational improvements.
Following the successful implementation of the braking system, MGBahn has decided to integrate the “v+” technology into the 25 newly ordered ORION multiple-unit trains, scheduled for delivery from 2026. Additionally, the existing fleet of 11 ORION multiple-unit trains will be retrofitted with the advanced system, further enhancing efficiency and reliability across the network.
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