The history of SBB.

The eventful history of Swiss Federal Railways began in 1902. Although the trains of the Swiss Central Railway Company had been running at the federal government’s expense since 1 January 1901, the legal framework for the establishment of SBB was yet to be formalised. What has shaped SBB in the last 125 years? Here are some of the major milestones.

Milestones from 125 years of SBB.

Basel-Muttenz marshalling yard in 1930 and 2013.

Aerial photograph of the Basel-Muttenz marshalling yard, 2013.
Aerial photograph of the Muttenz marshalling yard and signal box in black and white, 1930.

Staying informed in 1936 and 2017.

A person standing in a station is holding a tablet and looking for information online, 2017.
Black and white photograph of a passenger in 1936 holding an official timetable and standing in front of a printed timetable.

From glass-fronted counters to open sales areas, 1938/2017.

A customer obtains advice from an SBB employee at a counter. The counter is open and inviting, 2017.
A customer asks for advice at a ticket counter. A glass panel with an open hatch separates the customer from the employee, 1938.

Working in the track area in 1941 and 2016.

Workers in protective orange clothing in the track area, 2016.
Black and white photograph of railway workers in the track area in 1941.

Then and now: Eb 3/5 steam locomotive in 1944 and Re460 locomotive in 2014.

A passenger train travelling along a railway line, 2014.
Black and white photograph of a steam train travelling along a railway line, 1944.

Simplon tunnel north portal in 1954 and 2016.

A train exits the Simplon tunnel north portal, 2016.
Black and white photograph of a train exiting the Simplon tunnel north portal, 1954.

Ticket inspection on a train in 1959 and 2025.

A member of train crew inspects passengers’ tickets in first class, 2025.
A member of train crew wearing a hat and carrying a bag inspects passengers’ tickets on a train, 1959.

Digitalisation has also changed the work of the locomotive crew: an engine driver’s cab in 1960 and 2015.

Close-up from the rear of an engine driver’s cab and in a railway tunnel, 2015.
Black and white close-up from the rear of an engine driver’s cab, 1960.

The changing uniforms of train crews, 1991 and 2016.

Three passenger attendants in uniform standing in a station, 2016.
Black and white photograph of three uniformed passenger attendants standing on a platform, 1991.

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