Swiss trains have been considered the gold standard by train enthusiasts and tourists alike for their breathtaking scenery, clockwork punctuality and incredible engineering. This is why trains like Express Glacier can navigate narrow trails and climb the sky-high peaks of the Alps.
It may come as a bit of a surprise to discover that the Swiss were unable to hit a major milestone in rail innovation until this past weekend. On December 11, the new GoldenPass Express traveled from Montreux to Interlaken via Gstaad without changing trains for the first time in history.
It’s not just the remarkable route. The train itself, operated by the Montreux-Berner Oberland Railway (MOB), is a combination of eye-catching design and revolutionary technology that allows it to “jump” both in height and width, and at the same time. voltage change. In this way, it is possible to connect some of the most popular tourist attractions in Switzerland into one seamless trip — a journey 150 years in the making.
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Engineers have been trying to link these stunning Swiss destinations since 1873. But for almost a century and a half, connecting two major railway lines between glittering Lake Geneva and the towering Alps destinations Switzerland’s rudder proved too difficult because there were two different types of rails — the metric gauge and the standard gauge — to navigate. These two types of tracks not only have different widths; they also have different heights and use different voltages. So, to get from one beautiful place in Switzerland to another, passengers have to get off the train and change trains.
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Now, however, a variable-gauge bogie that was first developed in 2007 has begun to operate, so to speak, at Zweisimmen Station; this is where the parts of the standard gauge and the travel metric gauge meet. The train passes through an adaptive ramp with gauges and flaps raised to allow the carriage to position itself. It’s a slick piece of engineering that looks just as much as it does in a sci-fi movie as it does in modern travel. Watch the video.
In addition to offering non-stop travel and stunning natural beauty, the new $96 million train offers a stylish ride with immersive views through the panoramic windows. It also features plush compartments with comfortable swivel chairs and even a menu of gourmet dishes, including grilled meats and caviar, to sample on the go. On this train, passengers can truly enjoy the Swiss landscape in style.
