Switzerland's Olten Hub Revolutionizes Modern Train Maintenance with High-Tech Upgrades

Olten has long been a central location for Swiss railway maintenance, dating back to the 1850s. Today, the site stands as SBB's largest operational hub, employing around 1,200 staff. Recent upgrades have reinforced its role in keeping modern trains running smoothly.

A new 6,500-square-metre hall was built at a cost of CHF 50 million. The facility specialises in welding, adhesive bonding, sandblasting, and painting—key processes for today's aluminium-bodied trains. Unlike older steel carriages, modern units rely on precise bonding rather than traditional welding, requiring strict climate control in the workshop.

The Olten site is now the only major Swiss hub capable of overhauling double-decker trains. This includes Zurich's S-Bahn units and other high-capacity carriages used across the network. To improve efficiency, workers use smart glasses that display checklists in their line of sight. The technology also allows real-time video calls with experts for instant troubleshooting.

With its expanded facilities and advanced tools, Olten remains vital to SBB's operations. The hub's ability to service double-decker fleets ensures minimal downtime for key regional and intercity routes. No other Swiss location currently offers the same scale of maintenance for these trains.