Migros Unimogs in Geneva and Zurich

[ruggedpeak]

Whilst perusing matters relating to Unimogs and 4x4's I came across details on the MB website about Migros (a Swiss supermarket co-operative) using Unimogs in Geneva and Zurich on shunting duties. Road/rail Mogs are not unusual on the continent and have been used in the UK as well, but interesting nonetheless in part as they are in city centres.

 

This is Zurich:

 

 

https://special.mercedes-benz-trucks.com/en/unimog/road-rail-operations/white-workhorse.html

 

This has details on the Geneva version https://mercedes-bulgaria.com/g-klasa/92-mercedes-english-news/932-unimog-u400-for-the-migros-geneva-cooperative.html

 

I was keen to locate the Migros distribution centre at La Paille (a decent sized set of yard in Geneva) to make a visit to see if I could photograph them in action and it looks like the Mog is in the google aerial shots. As the info was from 2009 they may not be around any longer. Will have to go have a look. Have also seen a shunting Mog at one of the oil terminals in the Vernier area as passed through by bus so need to track it down as well.

 

 

https://goo.gl/maps/DVWMunb98oa7PUoQ7

 

In terms of modelling Busch do the newer curved body shape as the basis for this. The Geneva version looks simpler as it just has the air tanks on the flat bed, plus the coupling bar. Kibri do Unimog kits in 1:87 with road/rail versions but they are the old square cab versions, similarly Roco Minitanks who had a military road/rail model.

 

As an aside, the standard of graffiti on wagons and buildings in Swizerland tends to be of a higher standard than the UK from what I have seen so far!!

Edited April 25, 2023 by ruggedpeak

[simonmcp]

Interesting find. Roco also did a Unimog with a wagon which I have somewhere in my stash, don't know the ref number. I also remember an article in Model Rail about motorising them.

[ruggedpeak]

2 hours ago, simonmcp said:

Interesting find. Roco also did a Unimog with a wagon which I have somewhere in my stash, don't know the ref number. I also remember an article in Model Rail about motorising them.

I had found this on Ebay which is the older square cab. Roco Minitanks did various versions of military unimogs. If it wasn't quite as expensive I'd buy it!

 

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/364186758520

 

 

 

Atlas Editions also did the Stobart Rail Unimog with the air tanks on the roof, but it is 1:76.

 

When I find some time I will pop to the model stores in Geneva and see if they have any of the Busch models of the new cab style in stock.

[ruggedpeak]

4 hours ago, ruggedpeak said:

I had found this on Ebay which is the older square cab. Roco Minitanks did various versions of military unimogs. If it wasn't quite as expensive I'd buy it!

 

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/364186758520

 

 

 

Atlas Editions also did the Stobart Rail Unimog with the air tanks on the roof, but it is 1:76.

 

When I find some time I will pop to the model stores in Geneva and see if they have any of the Busch models of the new cab style in stock.

Not long after I posted this it sold!!

[ruggedpeak]

Recently went walkabout around the Migros depot at La Praille but no sign of the Mogs so will contact their press dept and see if they still use them.

 

Whilst out and about at the weekend I took the SL5 Leman Express out to Vernier for some shopping and noticed another Uinmog shunter at the Tamoil fuel depot from the train. Subsequent exploration of the vicinity of the depot showed it is almost impossible to see inside the depot. I was also clocked by the local police, I don't know how sensitive they are about people casing major oil installations but decided not to find out! Fortunately the next day I was back on the SL5 to enjoy the hot weather in the river L'Allondon so got some photos. It is an older Mog variant, with air tanks up behind the cab. The drawbar to connect it to wagons is difficutl to see but you can just make out the hazard markers on it and the strap suspending it above the ground is visible.

 

 

Edited June 6, 2023 by ruggedpeak

[icn]

Coop (the other big supermarket) also appears to use these in Aclens and Schafisheim: the latest ones are pictured in

https://www.zagro-group.com/en/our-company/news/detail?tx_news_pi1[action]=detail&tx_news_pi1[controller]=News&tx_news_pi1[news]=106&cHash=e39a19500caad73a63ac497450945452 , and what I presume was the first one is at: https://www.railcare.ch/de/schweiz-ist-zu-klein/  (Technically they seem to belong to Railcare, but Railcare is part of Coop and primarily transports Coop goods.)