Red Arrow (Swiss train)

The Red Arrow (German: Roter Pfeil, French: Flèche rouge, Italian: Freccia rossa) is a class of 12 disparate but similar railcars built in the 1930s by the Swiss Federal Railways (SBB).

[1] In their original role, the Red Arrows were the victim of their own success, being unable to cope with the increased loadings they brought.

Replaced by locomotive hauled trains on their original routes, the SBB capitalised on their popularity by using them on charter and other special services.

[2] Whilst based on the design of the earlier single car Red Arrows, the double Red Arrow Re 4/8 301 was built exclusively for use on charter trains, and is capable of speeds up to 150 kilometres per hour (93 mph).

It was on this visit, at the University of Zürich, that he made his famous speech advocating the creation of a United States of Europe.