Problem with train connection between Interlaken and Monterosso

In twelve years traveling in Germany, I have been on so many SEV (Schienen Ersatz Verkehr, buses used to transport people around segments of tracks being worked on) I've lost count. Just had another one in the Czech Republic last May. With the one in the CR, the train on the continuing segment waited for the buses, which were a little late, so it was a few minutes late getting into Pilsen, and I missed my connecting train to Prague. No problem, I took the next one an hour later. I had thought about skipping the earlier train to have lunch in Pilsen, anyway. These substitute buses are a normal concurrence. Usually you don't get to know about them in advance; this time you do. Just prepare to be late to the next station and know the schedule if you are.

You won't have any problems. As Lee indicates, this is quite common. In fact, there was construction between Interlaken Ost and Spiez recently. They had a bus going around that as well.

This is probably related to the renovation of the Simplon tunnel, which will be going on 2012 - 2014. In August they will be closing one tunnel bore, so traffic is limited to one track through the tunnel. In addition, they are working on the section south of the tunnel, from Iselle to Domodossola, and that is the bus section you are seeing. It looks like the SBB schedule has built in time for the delay, since it shows the bus transfer from Iselle to Domodossola, starting August 13. If you want to make the 12:10 direct train from Milan to Monterosso, you need to leave Interlaken Ost on the 7:20 am train to Spiez. The advisory on the SBB schedule suggests changing to the other (Gotthard) route: "Trains are cancelled between Iselle di Trasquera and Domodossola. "Replacement buses operating Iselle di Trasquera - Domodossola. "Please note that you have to walk for approximately 10 minutes when changing onto the rail replacement bus in Iselle (with no protection against the weather). Unfortunately, there are no luggage trolleys or similar facilities available. "The transportation of bicycles and wheelchairs is excluded. "Passengers travelling from/to Milano Centrale travel via Gotthard. "Please allow for a longer travelling time. "We advise against travelling via Simplon for the time being. "Reason: Unscheduled construction work "

That's exactly my plan Lola, thanks for the clarification! The other issue I'm having is that the people at EurAide are having problems booking seat reservations for me on this trip, I'll be sure to pass this info along and hopefully it gets cleared up because the alternate route would get me to Monterosso 4 hours later.

The only ones that need reservations with your pass are Spiez to Milano Centrale, and then the IC train Milano Centrale to Monterosso. You could try booking the Spiez to Milan part yourself on SBb (rail.ch). There is an option for purchasing reservtions only, using a Eurail Pass. For Milan to Monterosso, there are still 9 euro Super Economy tickets left for the IC 665 from Milan to Monterosso on Aug. 24. That is cheaper than paying for a reservation fee to use your pass, I believe. You could just buy that yourself on Trenitalia and not go through Eurail.

For some reason it is not possible to make seat reservations or purchase tickets for the EC 37 between Domodossola and Milan on Aug 24 departing at 10:17 (or at other times and different trains) on Trenitalia. EurAide has been having problems too so I don't think the issue is due to the bus transfer. Does anyone have any suggestions as to how I could get seat reservations (or even buy tickets) on this train?