Is there an elevator at the Lugano rail station
going from the rail tracks up to street level?
david, As Michael indicated, the rail station in Lugano is laid out somewhat differently than other stations. Have a look at THIS website to get some idea. If you click the second photo on the right side, it will magnify and you can have a closer look at the layout. I can't recall whether changing tracks requires a trip through a Sottopassagio (tunnel), however in some Swiss rail stations, a ramp is provided instead of stairs. Elevators are provided in many of the larger stations. Happy travels!
Lugano rail station isn't underground, it's already at street level, so there's no need for an elevator.
There is a funicular at the station which heads down to the city center. The funicular goes under the train station, but you board it on the same level as the inter-city trains.
david, Based on the diagram that Sam provided, there appears to be Ramps for accessing the Sottopassagi, which is what I vaguely remembered. There may be an Elevator at Track 1 (can't remember)?
Here is the station map. Don't see any elevators to the sottopassaggi, but looks like an escalator to the street level ticketing area. http://www.sbb.ch/content/dam/infrastruktur/trafimage/bahnhofplaene/plan-lugano-a4.pdf
After you descend the funicular at Lugano station, you stop right outside a great hotel. It is called the Hotel Dante Center. We stayed there 2 years ago for one week. They offer a lovely breakfast in a beautiful dining room. There is also a prety lobby to sit in.