"Red Arrow" RCe 2/4 # 607 of the Oensingen-Balsthal-Bahn (OeBB) is on a private charter trip this day, entering Rapperswil coming from Bollingen. On the right the "Flirt" RABe 526 # 005 of the Südostbahn (SOB). The legendary electric light railcar was delivered to the SBB in 1938 as the last of a seven-car series, designated Re 2/4 # 207. Futuristic for the time was the design with many curves and glass, the low car floor, the top speed and the view through the entire train with an open cab. Originally, these railcars with 3rd class seating were intended for use at off-peak times and on branch lines. However, these connections became so popular in a short time that their capacity became too small. In 1949, therefore, conventional buffers/couplers were added to carry up to two trailer cars. The only interior rebuild took place in 1955/56 in the SBB workshop in Zurich: The rail runabout received, among other things, new comfortable upholstered seats with folding backrests as well as longitudinal luggage racks and was from then on primarily used for social trips. After its purchase by OeBB in 1974, the red railcar became the "Blue Arrow". On the occasion of the 1988/89 overhaul at BLS Lötschbergbahn in Spiez, however, it already blushed again and on the occasion of the 2022/23 overhaul, the railcar's exterior was restored to its mid-1950s condition, i.e. to match its interior. Thus, it is today the only original "Red Arrow", which is operational and can be rented for special trips.
