Panier
The SBB Swiss Express is one of the most recognisable consists in Swiss railway history, and the «Sputnik» coaches are central to its iconic image. This Trix 24650 set brings together two Db service coaches in the Epoch IV two-tone pebble grey and blood orange livery, with individually printed registration numbers and a level of detail that reflects a completely new mould developed in 2025 to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Swiss Express.
New tooling with applied detail
The factory work on this set goes well beyond surface engraving. Access handrails, grab rails, the exterior handbrake wheel, gas equipment box and curved roof ventilators are all separately applied, giving the coaches a three-dimensional quality that sets them apart from a single-piece moulding. The interiors are decorated and visible through glazed windows — an unusual touch for service coaches. Buffer height is calibrated to NEM standards, ensuring consistent visual alignment with other coaches in the consist.
Confirmed technical data
The set runs on DC two-rail track with a NEM 362 standardised coupler and close-coupling kinematics (Kurzkupplung). Total length over buffers is approximately 213 mm, and the minimum running radius is 360 mm. For those working with Märklin three-rail systems, conversion is possible by replacing the wheelsets with the E700150 set.
Fitting into the Swiss Express consist
These two coaches are designed to run alongside the Trix 23690 and 23691 passenger coaches and the Re 4/4 II locomotive from reference 25420, completing the Swiss Express formation on the layout. In an Epoch IV consist, the «Sputnik» coaches bring that orange colour to both ends of the train, providing visual continuity from head to tail and giving the whole formation the look of a complete train that defines the Swiss Express in its most recognisable version.