#4231· BVZ Deh 4/4 I (21-24)

Brig-Visp-Zermatt-Bahn Deh 4/4

🇨🇭 Switzerland ·built by Swiss Locomotive and Machine Works· from 1975· Class of power cars

8 photos from Wikimedia Commons · credits & licences

1. Andermatt20090619Y475a 2254-2290-4171-22: Markus Giger· CC BY-SA 4.0
2. MGB Deh 4-4 I bei Täsch: Kabelleger / David Gubler ( http://www.bahnbilder.ch )· CC BY-SA 3.0
3. MGB Deh 4-4 I am Oberalpsee: Kabelleger / David Gubler ( http://www.bahnbilder.ch )· CC BY-SA 3.0
4. BVZ Deh 4-4 I (24 A W): Joachim Lutz· CC BY-SA 4.0
5. BVZ Deh 4-4 I (24 B W): Joachim Lutz· CC BY-SA 4.0
6. Deh 4-4 I ex BVZ: Matteoruckstuhl· CC BY-SA 4.0
7. MGB Deh 4-4 22 Naetschen 030110: NAC· CC BY-SA 4.0
8. MGB Deh 4-4 I bei Oberalppasshöhe: Kabelleger / David Gubler ( http://www.bahnbilder.ch )· CC BY-SA 3.0

what is it?

The Brig-Visp-Zermatt-Bahn Deh 4/4, now known as the Matterhorn Gotthard Bahn Deh 4/4 21–24, is a four member class of metre gauge, rack rail, electric multiple unit power cars operated until 2002 by the Brig-Visp-Zermatt-Bahn (BVZ), and since then by its successor, the Matterhorn Gotthard Bahn (MGB), in the Canton of Valais, Switzerland. The class is so named under the Swiss locomotive and railcar classification system. According to that system, Deh 4/4 denotes an electric railcar with a baggage compartment, and a total of four axles, all of which are drive axles fitted with cogwheels for rack rail operation.

who runs it

Brig–Zermatt railway line Matterhorn Gotthard Bahn

base stats

speed 65 km/htop speed
power 1.1 MWpower output
weight 49 tin working order
built 4made in total

Bars compare against all trains: 600 km/h (maglev), 1,700 seats; power, weight and number built on a log scale up to 20 MW, 1,000 t and 20,000 built.

fun facts

First built 51 years ago, in 1975.
1.1 MW is about 13 family cars (~85 kW each) flat out.
Weighs about as much as 8 African elephants (~6 t each).
16.9 m long: about 4 cars parked nose to tail.
Served for 1 years (1975–1976).

multiple unit: A self-propelled train: motors are spread under the passenger cars, so no separate locomotive.

spec sheet

built: 1975
in service from: 1975
retired: 1976
status: retired
number built: 4
kind: multiple unit
traction: electric
origin: 🇨🇭 Switzerland
builders: Swiss Locomotive and Machine Works, SIG Group, Société Anonyme des Ateliers de Sécheron
operators: Brig–Zermatt railway line, Matterhorn Gotthard Bahn
top speed: 65 km/h
power: 1.1 MW
gauge: 1,000 mm metre gauge
electric system: 11 kV 16.7 Hz
wheel arrangement: Bo'Bo'
length: 16.9 m
weight: 49 t
Dutch name: BVZ Deh 4/4 I (21-24)

From the Wikipedia infobox and Wikidata. Blank means the sources don't say.

Sources: Wikidata Q14514543, Wikipedia: Brig-Visp-Zermatt-Bahn Deh 4/4 (CC BY-SA 4.0).Updated 2026-10-25.