GOLDEN PASS SCENIC TRAIN IN SWITZERLAND

[calflier]

Whilst in Switzerland recently, I had to be in Geneva at 2115 for an Easyjet flight,I was able to take my time getting from Lucerne across Switzerland,I was lucky enough to have a first class ticket and I was able to get a seat with a days notice on the Golden Pass scenic train from Lucerne to Geneva,and what a seat ,in the very front of the Panorama car,these seats are normally booked up months in advance,so I thought I would post some views,as I know there are some rail travel fans on this site also,hope you like them.

The Golden Pass at Zwissimen station Switzerland showing the front panoramic lounge.



Enroute my view from the front of the train,the locomotive was situated mid train and the driver sat above the car,great view but very different from the normal train view.



Another view from my seat.


Not sure what airfield this is but it was near Zwissimen,looks an interesting approach and take off.


The joys of single track railways,but hey whoose in a hurry!,passing the eastbound Golden pass train.




Entering tunnels and avalanche shelters are a strange experience,







Lake Leman (Lake Geneva)





Descending in to Montreaux.



Approaching Montreaux station.


View of the lounge in car 11.


The Golden pass at Montreaux


The Loco was positioned mid train to afford views for passengers both ends of the train,and allows no passage between the first and second class cars.



I still had some time before my flight so I continued from Montreaux to Lausanne by paddle steamer.This was the Vevhy leaving Montreaux.


The beatifully restored paddle steamer La Suisse was to take me to Lausanne.

i410.photobucket.com/albums/pp183/CALFLIER001/DSCN2360.jpg[/IMG]



There appeared to be scenic flights being offered by A beaver and a twin engined seabee out of Lausanne,must look into that.



The fantastic interior dining room of La Suisse.



Final view from the La Suisse.



Thanks for looking and I hope I have inspired someone to book a holiday in this beautiful and interesting country.If anyone needs info about train/boat travel in Switzerland please ask.

[Beemer]

Calflier, I would love to see your photos but I am at a loss on how to open them. Regards Beemer.

[Deleted]

Nice.

The view from the front reminds me of when I was a kid. Although I liked the steam trains it was great to ride on one of the new DMU's. We would always rush to the front where we could see the driver driving and look at what was ahead. The best part was entering the long tunnel between St Michael's and Brunswick dock. All you could see was a tiny dot of light in the distance and it took what seemed an age to get through.

[calflier]

Jun 28, 2009 14:53:49 GMT 1 Beemer said:

Calflier, I would love to see your photos but I am at a loss on how to open them. Regards Beemer.

Sorry about that Beemer must have just started uploading,thanks for your patience.

[calflier]

Jun 28, 2009 15:23:16 GMT 1 @tristar said:

Nice.

The view from the front reminds me of when I was a kid. Although I liked the steam trains it was great to ride on one of the new DMU's. We would always rush to the front where we could see the driver driving and look at what was ahead. The best part was entering the long tunnel between St Michael's and Brunswick dock. All you could see was a tiny dot of light in the distance and it took what seemed an age to get through.

I too travelled that line as a kid ,from Gateacre ,and yes it reminded me of that also,just no mountains LOL.

[Beemer]

Excellent Calflier. Well worth the wait. The inside of the paddle steamer dining room looks so 1930's. You could imagine Poirot making a movie on that (OK Poirot was Belgian) but you get my drift. Well done. Reminds me of my trip up to the top of the Yung Frau three years ago. Regards Beemer.

[calflier]

Jun 28, 2009 19:32:11 GMT 1 Beemer said:

Excellent Calflier. Well worth the wait. The inside of the paddle steamer dining room looks so 1930's. You could imagine Poirot making a movie on that (OK Poirot was Belgian) but you get my drift. Well done. Reminds me of my trip up to the top of the Yung Frau three years ago. Regards Beemer.

Thanks Beemer,those paddle steamers are fantastic, and yep see what you mean about Poirot,also the steam engine room is exposed and you can watch the rods and pistons doing their stuff from the middle of the ship,cant think why I didnt take a pic,good reason to visit again,
regards Calflier.

[superian]

great pics, looks like it was a good trip. been to switzerland myself but only by motorbike. this looks like a very good option.
ian.

[calflier]

Jun 28, 2009 22:59:16 GMT 1 superian said:

great pics, looks like it was a good trip. been to switzerland myself but only by motorbike. this looks like a very good option.
ian.

thanks,well worth the trip if you like transport,Trains/buses/cable cars,boats etc.

[johnoakes]

Great photos--and what a broad range of transport covered.
Very interesting and high quality shots.

A couple of years ago I went on a similar trip on the "Chocolate train" a Swiss trip to Gruyere to see the cheese making, a trip to a chocolate factory (with tastings -- super brill.LOL)
and an afternoon in the Medaeval village of Gruyere.
Very interesting using less used single trascks with Y junctions and reversing.
Super countryside and spotless trains running to the second.

Only cattle class I'm afraid but the wagons were ex Orient Express and were breathtakingly made and restored.
Hope you enjoy the few snaps taken.











Isn't my French fishing mate Yvan photogenic LOL

[calflier]

Thanks John enjoyed the pics,saw the chocolate train advertised wasnt sure what it was,anyway looks a good day out.

[Deleted]

Great pictures, and they do look after their transport infrastructure, unlike somewhere else we could mention!
Anyone thinking of going should start saving up now - Switzerland has never been cheap, but it seemed more expensive than ever when I was at EBACE.

[calflier]

Jul 2, 2009 20:33:55 GMT 1 garstonboy said:

Great pictures, and they do look after their transport infrastructure, unlike somewhere else we could mention!
Anyone thinking of going should start saving up now - Switzerland has never been cheap, but it seemed more expensive than ever when I was at EBACE.

Thanks Garstonboy,yes Switzerland is expensive,you realise you are paying £5 for a sandwich and a drink even at railway kiosks,but as you say its always been like that,I had a first class Swiss travel pass,but on mountain railways it was half price,which works out to nearly £40,so £80 full fare,I stayed in the Lugano area,which was a bit less expensive,butwell worth it as far as travel is concerned.
regards Calflier.