A new rail service, awaited for more than 100 years, started last week in Switzerland. The GoldenPass train crosses the Alps, connecting three major resort towns and offering breathtaking panoramic views of the mountains and lakes.
The Goldenpass Express service offers three different routes: the Montreux-Zweisimmen route, the Interlaken-Zweisimmen route, and the Lucerne-Interlaken route, all of which pass through the stunning Swiss countryside, with stops at popular tourist destinations along the way.
The luxury train combines vintage and modern fittings, and uses a technological marvel that allows it to change the gauge of the wheels and the height of the coach bodies. Because of the mountainous terrain, parts of the railway required metric gauge (1m wide) rails, while others were built with standard gauge (1.435 metres wide). Thanks to a bespoke bogie, developed by MOB (Montreux Oberland Bernois Railway) in partnership with Alstom, the trains can now switch between the two in a matter of seconds, making it the world’s most variable bogie.
The scenic train journey takes about 3 hours and 15 minutes, the fleet consists of 4 trains with 23 carriages, and 3 classes: first, second and prestige, all equipped with large two-part windows and table seating. “The GoldenPass Express will become an attraction in its own right,” predicts MOB. “During the three hours of travel, the passenger will discover some of the most beautiful landscapes in Switzerland, while enjoying a high level of comfort and gastronomy.”
For now, the GoldenPass Express from Montreux to Interlaken and vice-versa, will run once per day, leaving at 9:35 a.m. and 9.08am respectively. From June 2023, there will be 4 return trips daily, for a price of CHF 73 / €74 in 2nd class or and CHF 113 / €115 in 1st class. For the Prestige category a 35 CHF reservation is mandatory, in addition to a valid ticket for the selected travel class.
“The GoldenPass Express is destined to become one of the legendary trains in Switzerland, such as the Glacier Express or the Bernina Express [the highest line across the Alps],” said the railway company.
Source: euronews.com
