Swiss Federal Railways, known as SBB (Schweizerische Bundesbahnen), is the national railway company of Switzerland, providing comprehensive rail services across the country and into neighboring regions. Established in 1902, SBB operates a vast network of trains that connect major cities and rural areas, ensuring efficient public transport for both passengers and freight. The company is renowned for its punctuality, reliability, and commitment to sustainability, utilizing modern trains that are often powered by renewable energy sources. SBB plays a crucial role in Switzerland’s transportation infrastructure, facilitating not only domestic travel but also international connections to other European countries.
History of the Swiss Federal Railways Logo
In the 1970s, Swiss Federal Railways (SBB) faced significant challenges similar to those encountered by other European rail networks, such as British Rail and Nederlandse Spoorwegen. Rising private car ownership and an increasingly complex network created operational and identity-related pressures. SBB also had to navigate the complexities of sharing the national railway system with over 100 private railways, which contributed to potential confusion and competition. To ensure its future growth and emphasize its modernization efforts, SBB recognized the need for a distinctive and reliable identity that reflected its investment in infrastructure.
To address these needs, SBB commissioned the advertising and design agency Müller-Brockmann + Co. in 1978 to create a standardized signage system. This system would unify the appearance of railway stations and stops across the country and establish a cohesive visual identity for SBB. Collaborating with SBB’s building construction branch, Müller-Brockmann and Peter Spalinger developed a design handbook that guided the creation of the new system. Key elements of this initiative included the selection of a typeface, the design of pictograms, and the establishment of principles for shape and color to enhance clarity and passenger navigation.
Before launching the signage system, SBB introduced a new logo in 1972, designed by Swiss designer Hans Hartmann. This logo connected the fleet of vehicles and rolling stock with stations and buildings throughout the network. It replaced earlier designs featuring a wing and wheel motif, evolving into a modern symbol that balanced tradition and functionality. Hartmann’s design incorporated two arrows to suggest movement and a Swiss cross at the center, symbolizing the railway’s national identity and service to all Swiss citizens. The use of red and white further emphasized this connection. The logo’s strong geometry and bold design helped position SBB as a reliable, solid, and dynamic public service company.
Due to the arrow motif in the logo, its role within the new signage system was intentionally limited to avoid confusion with directional signs. The logo was primarily used to identify buildings, station names, and vehicles as part of the SBB network, appearing only as white on a red or black background to differentiate it from wayfinding elements.
An agreement was also reached with a company in the Swiss canton of Uri that had been using a similar logo since 1959. SBB retained the right to use the logo across its network but avoided its use in the Uri local press to prevent confusion.
From 1978 onward, the Muller-Brockmann + Co. signage system, based on Helvetica typeface and custom-designed pictograms, was applied across all aspects of SBB operations. This included platform numbering, departure and directional signage, logo placement on rolling stock, and large-scale building signage. To harmonize the system, the agency refined Hartmann’s logo by subtly softening its geometry and integrating it into their modular communications framework. The result was a cohesive, functional, and recognizable visual system that reinforced SBB’s identity and remains in use today.
Logos with similar colors:
