Can I take the above train from Luzern to Montreux without having to change at Interlaken OST? Also does the Golden Pass Panoramic train offer Prestige Class or only the Express? Thnks, Jim S.
Posted by
Northamptonshire, England
33991 posts
you could if the train could adjust their wheels to go from the metre (1000 mm) gauge of the line from Luzern to Interlaken Ost (no capital letters required, it isn't an abbreviation, the word "ost" is German for east) to the standard gauge ( 4ft 8.5 inches or 1435 mm) for the bit from Interlaken Ost via Spiez to Zweisimmen where it changes back to metre gauge for the run into Montreux.
In the mountains the narrow gauge (gauge is the distance between the rail heads, effectively the width between the wheels) is needed for the sharp corners and steep inclines, along with the cog mechanism.
Some trains can change at the stop in Zweisimmen, others you change, but no trains can do that at Interlaken Ost - you must always change trains there.
None of the eight platform tracks at Interlaken Ost are dual-gauge or dual-electric-system, and the narrow gauge platforms are dead-end.
Posted by
Wengen
2532 posts
There are no non stop trains from Luzern to Montreux. You always have to change trains in Interlaken Ost.
The "prestige class" is only offered on the GPX trains (those are the ones that go direct Interlaken - Montreux) and not on the other trains on the route.