Having trouble navigating train booking site for the golden pass from Luzern to Lausanne. Is the scenic train worthy, Vip seats, first class? Be there mid-Sept.
The only part with the VIP seats are between Montreux and Zweisimminen. These are seats at the very front of the train. The driver is in a different part of the train, so sit where the driver would normally be seated. They are 1st class plus a supplement for these prime seats.
Are they worth it? Dunno, never did it.
Trying to book the longer route probably is causing your issue. Just request a reservation between Montreux and Zweisimminen and see which seats are available. If VIP nose-cone area is full, then there's less reason to pay 50% more for 1st class; the side views are the same from 2nd class.
also note the "Golden Pass" train actually ends at Montreux, then you transfer to regular train to continue on to Lausaunne. Perhaps that is some of your confusion. Also look at rome2rio.com for alternate info.
I printed out the PDF version of the Golden Pass schedule because it's chockful of tiny, not always intuitive icons and symbols. But using that I was able to determine that there were only specific tourist trains a few times a day on that route.