Swiss Panoramic Trains: From GPX to BLS Private Railways in Switzerland, and From Baseline to Experiment: The Golden Pass Express
Combining elegance and comfort with 21st century technical excellence, Switzerland’s newest panoramic train journey finally starts on December 11 — three years later than planned and 150 years after it was first proposed.
A late debut, which entered service in December 2022, Switzerland’s Golden Pass Express , or GPX as it’s known, connects Montreux, Gstaad and Interlaken, with special panoramic trains that change height and wheel gauge to slip between the varying lines. The trip takes almost four hours and passes through some classic Swiss lakes and mountains. The journey used to require two different trains.
The comfort of the seats on the new trains allow passengers to stay in them throughout the entire three-and-a quarter hour trip, where they can view the scenery through enormous panoramic windows.
The journey takes in some of Europe’s most beautiful lakes, secluded valleys and high mountain passes and cuts across the grain of central Switzerland following a trade route that has existed since the Middle Ages.
GPX passengers used to change from their panoramic train to a bigger, more conventional BLS train for the next leg, but they can now relax in their seats as the train goes over the complex gauge-changing equipment
There is no need to change trains en route if the trains switch from the standard gauge track to the meter-gauge track in a few seconds. Between Zweisimmen and Interlaken, the trains run over the tracks of the Bern Lotschberg Simplon (BLS), Switzerland’s largest private railway.
Spanish Talgo trains have been able to switch between standard gauge (1,435 millimeters) and wider Iberian tracks for decades, but the GPX trains have an added level of complexity that makes them a world first.
The sophisticated trucks beneath each carriage raise the height of the body to match higher platforms of the BLS stations.
The change in gauge is facilitated by designing the trucks with two half-frames, which can slide 435 millimeters sideways relative to each other. They have been equipped with independent wheel pairs that do not have an appendage on either side of the bogie.
The stylish carriages were built in cooperation with global transport giant Alstom, which designed and built the gauge-changing bogies, and the legendary Italian design studio Pininfarina.
Pininfarina is well-known for its automotive creations and is not new to the rail industry. It was responsible for the external look of Italy’s ETR500 high-speed train, Eurostar’s exterior color scheme and, back in 1993, Pininfarina and MOB worked together on a previous generation of trains known as the Crystal Panoramic Express.
New safety standards have given Pininfarina a boost in their creativity.
We wanted the tourist train to be beautiful and elegant. That’s why we assigned the task to Pininfarina, one of the most prestigious design companies in the world.”
They are an expensive solution to a longstanding problem of when a service between the two places was first proposed.
However, that cost will be balanced against the obvious benefits of providing a more convenient direct service — and the additional passengers it is likely to attract. International visitors from countries such as North America and Asia are accustomed to paying high fares to get to the best of Switzerland’s great scenery from its numerous scenic railways.
Despite the delays caused by manufacturing issues and the Covid-19 pandemic, MOB and its partners — BLS, the cantons of Bern, Fribourg and Vaud and the Swiss Federal Office for Transport — believe that the investment will make an immediate contribution to the region’s economy.
The Golden Pass Express: From Montreux to Interlaken, Switzerland’s First Destination for a Unique Journey through the Swiss Lakes and Lakes
“With the Golden Pass Express we face a spectacular technological challenge, shifting from narrow gauge to standard gauge,” said Georges Oberson, general manager of MOB.
There are three classes for passengers to choose from, including First Class, which has the luxury of reclining leather seats for 28 people per trip. The at-seat service of locally produced food and drink can be booked by the first and third class travelers.
A total of four return trips per day will be available on June 11, 23, and 24 of that year.
The trip begins in the beautiful town of Montreux, home to the world-famous Jazz Festival and Generations of musicians and artists. A tourism hotspot for more than 150 years, it remains hugely popular with international visitors and an ideal base for exploring western and central Switzerland.
From the town center station, the MOB trains climb quickly up the mountain side and see the view of the lake changing from side-to-side.
The cheese and chocolate made from their milk are famous in the Hongrin Valley, and the line eventually goes into the Jaman tunnel.
The line starts to go up again after passing the beautiful Chateau d’Oex which is home to the famous Gstaad resort.
After crossing the linguistic divide between French- and Swiss-speaking Canton Vaud and Canton Bern, the railway travels through a series of loops into Zweisimmen.
The Zweisimmen stands at the confluence of two arms of the River Simme. Our route begins north of the unified river through the beautiful Simmental and then goes east through the lake to Spiez.
Spiez is a big railway junction, where our route crosses the international main line from Switzerland to Italy via the Lchberg and Simplon tunnels.
Daytrippers can change to enjoy a spectacular ride over the original Ltschberg mountain route before returning to Montreux in the Rhone Valley.
But the GPX continues alongside Lake Thun, gradually descending to the water’s edge for the memorable final leg to its destination and Switzerland’s original tourist hotspot — Interlaken.
In the tradition of many German place names, the town of Interlaken is sitting on a narrow stretch of dry land between two of Switzerland’s largest lakes.
A popular destination in its own right, it’s also the starting point for some of Switzerland’s most unforgettable journeys — not least the three-stage trip through the north face of the Eiger to Jungfraujoch — Europe’s highest railway station at 3,454 meters (11,332 feet).
You can also take the Zentralbahn panoramic train to Luzern. Meiringen is a “must see” for Sherlock Holmes fans, close to the Reichenbach Falls, where Arthur Conan Doyle’s fictional hero and his nemesis fell to their death.
Much of Europe’s scenic railways rely on tourism. Over the last three years, it has been hit hard by the restrictions on international travel and the ongoing absence of visitors from key markets in Asia. According to recent surveys, passenger numbers are not expected to return to pre-Covid levels until 2024 at the earliest.
Uncovering the World with a Train: From Vientiane to Boten to London and Bond Street to the new Laos train station
CNN Travel’s weekly newsletter, “Unlocking the World,” is an editor’s note. The news about destinations opening, inspiration for future adventures, and the latest in aviation, food and drink are all included.
From a night train taking you from Austria to the Italian riviera to the new semi high-speed line across Laos, from a luxurious trans-African odyssey to a new Swiss train that can “jump” rail tracks, and even the United States finally getting the thrill of the tracks, here are some of our favorite moments from the world of train travel.
The big news in Laos this year was the semi high-speed train linking capital Vientiane with Boten, bordering China’s Yunnan province. The routes run through a number of destinations, including the beautiful former royal capital of Thailand, Luang Prabang. It’s part of a plan to link Beijing to many other cities over the next few decades.
It has been a tiring and expensive journey from the airport to the central London area, with taxis, the tube and the train all being used.
Not anymore — the Elizabeth Line, which opened in May after $25 billion and a four year delay, connects Reading and Heathrow in the west with Abbey Wood in southeast London and Shenfield in Essex, east of the capital.
It’s a quicker, smoother ride, with several stops in London itself. The last station, Bond Street, opened in November, along with through-routes from the west (initially passengers changed at Paddington). May23 will be the date when the final timetable is introduced.
High-Speed Rail Networks: Spain’s and Greece’s Second High-Acceleration Line, and the European Union’s Hellenic Train
What’s better than one national high-speed rail network? Three of them. In November, Spain got (kind of) a fourth, with the launch of iryo — a new high-speed competitor owned by major European players including Italian operator Trenitalia, which has brought its popular Frecciarossa trains to the line.
Germany launched a new line in August called the first hydrogen-powered railway line in the world. The line, in Bremervörde, Lower Saxony, carries 14 hydrogen trains powered by fuel cell propulsion.
The Coradia i Lint model had been gradually integrated with the diesel rolling stock and was set to be completely in place by the end of the year.
Italy’s world-class trains have spread across Europe this year. Following the December 2021. launch of the Milan to Paris service, the lead company of the Polo Passeggeri group — Italy’s public owned railways group — began a domestic French service between Paris and Lyon.
Then, before setting up iryo, it headed over to Greece, where it launched Hellenic Train, a new Greek rail operator for passengers and freight. It operates electric trains on the Athens-Thessaloniki route, as well as urban and suburban lines around the capital.
Source: https://www.cnn.com/travel/article/new-train-routes-2022/index.html
The EuroNight Line From Stockholm to Hamburg: Launching the Copper Trail with Nightjet in Summer 2023 and Visiting Angola’s Second City
Leaving Bangkok, the train heads into Lop Buri province, where the water has reached the very top of the Pasak Jolasid dam. Thoughtfully, the train even makes a stop once it hits the middle point, so passengers can jump out and snap selfies in this unexpected waterworld. The train is running until February, though by November tickets were already sold out through the New Year.
However, the big news for Nightjet passengers in summer 2023 will be the introduction of those new trains on key international routes from Vienna and Munich to Rome, Milan and Venice.
Since December, the Vienna/Munich to Milan Nightjet has been extended to the port city of Genoa, while the Munich-Venice/Budapest trains now start back at Stuttgart, offering better connections from southwest Germany and France.
Sweden is the home of Europe’s “flight shame” movement, and Swedish operator SJ has capitalized on that with its night train from Stockholm to Hamburg, which started in September under the name EuroNight. After departing from the Swedish capital, the train goes through Sweden and then on to Malm and finally arrives in Hamburger t hree minutes before sunrise.
In June of this year, the infrastructure upgrade on the Northeast Corridor allowed for the trains to run at speeds of up to 150 miles per hour. Sure, that section is just 16 miles long, between New Brunswick and South Brunswick, but it’s a fine start.
The Rovos Rail launched its new route, the Copper Trail, in July of this year and is available for those with time and money to spare.
Starting at Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe, the 15-day luxury trip heads north through Zambia, then curls west through the DCR to Angola, where it ends at Lobito, on the Atlantic coast.
In between are day trips to national parks, an elephant sanctuary, and walking tours of towns and cities, including Huambo, Angola’s second city. It is, of course, very expensive with prices for 2023 starting at $13,600.
The first high-speed train in Indonesia: The case for the TGV M train, a large-scale double-decker train from SNCF
The TGV M, the next-generation high-speed train from the French railway operator SNCF, was unveiled in September.
Made by manufacturer Alstom, the double-decker train with a longer, more aerodynamic nose, will premiere on the Paris network in 2024, before rolling out across the country. The trains are bigger, with better accessibility for passengers with disabilities.
Millions of travelers around the globe are voting with their feet and choosing to use trains as their preferred mode of transportation because of the government’s obsession with climate change measures.
With historically high mundanity and unpredictable airline reliability, green rail travel is more obvious than ever before.
The journey time from Jakarta to Bandung on the first high-speed railway in Indonesia will be slashed in two years, from three hours to just 36 minutes.
Greater Jakarta, with a population of more than 30 million, and Bandung, with more than 8 million people, will be completely different from the current connections because of the railway.
Developed by PT Kereta Cepat Indonesia China, a joint venture of four Indonesian state-owned companies, and China Railway International, a subsidiary of China Railway Group (CREC) on the same principles as China’s astonishing high-speed rail network , the 142.3-kilometer-long standard gauge line has a maximum operating speed of 350 kilometers (217 miles) per hour.
The Fuxing high-speed trains with room for 327 second class, 29 first class, and 18 “VIP class” passengers have been supplied by China.
Austria’s Nightjet sleeper trains have been the catalyst for a remarkable revival in overnight rail travel over the last few years — and they’re about to get even better.
Linking four of Europe’s most-visited tourist hotspots, seats and berths on the train will be in high demand, especially in the peak summer months for Interrail/Eurail backpackers.
The renovated and modernized carriages, aimed at travelers on different budgets, include sleeping compartments, couchette beds, reclining seats, and modern features such as charging points and wireless internet for travelers on different budgets.
The meter-gauge railway will scale steep mountain sections with the assistance of a rack-and-pinion system mounted between the rails.
China’s rail network for the Baltic states: from Palenque in Chiapas State to CancUN in Cancun and Tulum
The first section is expected to open at the end of 2023, with full operation in 2026, subsequently reducing the 129-kilometer journey from Dujiangyan to Siguniangshan Town from five hours to 120 minutes.
Another impressive civil engineering achievement by China’s rail industry, the line includes 11 stations, 25 bridges totaling 35 kilometers in length and 86 kilometers of tunnels.
The four-car driverless trains are fitted with 145 seats in three classes, with large curved panoramic windows, advanced automation, monitoring and fault diagnostics supported by 5G and satellite navigation.
Construction on the first route from Palenque in Chiapas State to the world famous site at Chichén Itz started in 2020.
The next phase will link CancUN to the resort of Playa del Carmen and the island of Tulum, looping back via Escrcega.
The trains are fitted with large panoramic windows, the “Janal” are restaurant cars, and the “P’atal” trains are designed for long-distance journeys.
With exterior color schemes inspired by the Mayan art and culture and internal designs influenced by the blue of the Caribbean Sea, the trains will combine tradition and modernity with a strong regional identity.
GPX passengers can now remain in their comfortable seat throughout the trip, immersing themselves in the ever-changing view through enormous panoramic windows.
With up to 25% more passengers the new train will run at a half-hourly frequency between New York and Washington at peak times.
Running at up to 160 miles per hour (260 kilometers per hour) where possible, the trains also have the capability to “tilt” their carriages to deliver higher speeds, greater stability and comfort on curving sections of the route.
The rail networks of these three countries were largely limited until the fall of the Soviet Union in the early 1990s.
Longer term, the $6 billion Rail Baltica mega-project will provide a fast link for passengers and freight between Poland, the Baltic States and Finland.
Until then, travelers from central and western Europe have to rely on long-distance buses and airlines to reach these small but vibrant members of the European Union.
Due to the difference in track gauges, it’s not quite a seamless connection, but Polish Railways now runs a comfortable Intercity train as far as Mockawa, where there’s a direct connection into a Lithuanian train to the country’s capital city.
Travelers can add Italy’s newest super-deled train to their travel diary, if the existing Orient Express doesn’t impress them anymore.
Orient Express La Dolce Vita is geared toward travelers who are more interested in design and design-conscious travelers.
The interiors are based on Italian style in the 1960s and 70s, and the exterior is a replica of glorious motorboats such as the Riva Aquaram.
There are 12 cabins that are wood lined, a bar car that plays live music and games, and 18 master suites complete with double beds, a sofa, armchair, and a private bathroom.
Source: https://www.cnn.com/travel/article/new-rail-journeys-2023/index.html
La Dolce Vita in New Zealand: The New Multi-Day Great Journeys New Zealand Excursions from Rome to Venice, Siena and Palermo
Operating one or two-night itineraries from Rome starting at around $2,000 per person, La Dolce Vita will visit stand out Italian cities, including Venice, Siena, Matera and Palermo.
The new multi-day tours by Great Journeys New Zealand will allow passengers to step away and enjoy guided experiences while staying in a variety of locations.
There are three scenic train routes, and they range from 6 to 17 days and include the stunning tranzAlpine panoramic train from Christchurch to Greymouth.
Along the Punakaiki Rocks on the West Coast and wine tasting in the world-famous Marlborough region will be included in Excursions.
Passengers can choose between the Classic Style Tour through New Zealand’s larger cities and heartland destinations or the Signature Style Tour, which includes higher-end hotels and additional attractions.