Background info Why do the SBB celebrate their centenary precisely this year? Read on and get to know more about the eventful history of their origins, and about the jubilee year full of events. Besides, detailed info on the programme, the schedule and on place indications can be found in the Calendar of Events of the jubilee! And more details of the SBB's history are contained in the History-Channel.

An eventful history of the origins - a jubilee year full of events
The year 2002 is the jubilee year of the SBB. Exactly 100 years ago, the eventful history of the Federal Railways began. Accordingly, we celebrate this year a year full of events and special features on the theme of SBB. But why do the Swiss Federal Railways celebrate their centenary precisely in 2002, considering that already from 1st January 1901, the trains of the Schweizerische Centralbahn (SCB) were already running per account of the Confederation? For example, there exists a report of the Administrative Board of the Swiss Federal Railways on the business management and the accounts of the year 1901 to the Swiss Federal Council for the hands of the Federal Assembly.

How is that possible? In a memorable plebiscite of 20th February 1898, the voters, with 386'634 yes against 182'718 no, accepted the "Federal Act concerning purchase and operation of railways for the account of the Confederation, and the organisation and administration of the Swiss Federal Railways". The fight to win the plebiscite had been very fierce on both sides. The supporters' argument was "The Swiss railways to the Swiss
population", expounding the advantages of a standardisation in the field of railways under the supervision of the federal state. The opponents of the bill warned against an additional "army of functionaries" which would increase the powers of the federal state to the detriment of the cantons, and which at the same time would erode its finances.

Already in October 1900, the Administrative Board of the SBB constituted itself, numbering at that time no less than 54 members, 25 of which elected by the Federal Council, another 25 elected by the cantons and half-cantons, and a further four elected by the Regional Railway Councils. By November 1900, a contract was already drawn up on the direct purchase of the Schweizerische Centralbahn (SCB) by the Confederation. On 14th December 1900, the Federal Assembly approved this purchase. Now things became urgent, as the transaction was to become legally valid on 1st January 1901. Thus it came about that the first train arriving in Bern at 2 a.m. on New Year's Day, was welcomed in a festive ceremony before it continued its run to Lausanne and Geneva. The SCB lines, however, were for the time being still operated by SCB staff, but per account of the Confederation. By mid-1901, the General Direction of the SBB replaced the Federal Department for Railways as supervising authority of the SCB.

Since per 1st January 1902, also the Schweizerische Nordostbahn (NOB) were put "under the wings" of the SBB, the date of 1st January 1902 is considered the official date of birth of the Swiss Federal Railways.

Those who wish to know more about the history of the SBB, will, under History Channel, find an interesting overview on the most salient events in the life of the SBB up to now!

Source: LITRA