Switzerland - General Information: Difference between revisions

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'''BLS AG'''  [https://www.bls.ch/en www.bls.ch]  : Lengnau to Moutier; Bern to Neuchâtel and to Schwarzenburg; Bern to Thun via Belp; Thun to Brig and to Visp via the old and new Lötschberg tunnels; Spiez to Interlaken Ost and to Zweisimmen; Solothurn to Moutier and to Burgdorf; Burgdorf to Thun and to Langnau; Ramsei to Sumiswald-Grünen; Langenthal to Wolhusen; Sumiswald-Grünen to Burghof (freight only); Sumiswald-Grünen to Huttwill (freight only but with summer tourist operation by [http://www.emmentalbahn.ch/ Emmentalbahn] - see below). All standard gauge, 15 kV 16.7 Hz.  SBB operates all long-distance passenger trains over the Lötschberg route and to Interlaken.  BLS operates local services in the Bern area, including those over SBB lines.  Lengnau to Moutier forms part of the main line from Biel/Bienne to Basel and all passenger trains are operated by CFF.  
'''BLS AG'''  [https://www.bls.ch/en www.bls.ch]  : Lengnau to Moutier; Bern to Neuchâtel and to Schwarzenburg; Bern to Thun via Belp; Thun to Brig and to Visp via the old and new Lötschberg tunnels; Spiez to Interlaken Ost and to Zweisimmen; Solothurn to Moutier and to Burgdorf; Burgdorf to Thun and to Langnau; Ramsei to Sumiswald-Grünen; Langenthal to Wolhusen; Sumiswald-Grünen to Burghof (freight only); Sumiswald-Grünen to Huttwill (freight only but with summer tourist operation by [http://www.emmentalbahn.ch/ Emmentalbahn] - see below). All standard gauge, 15 kV 16.7 Hz.  SBB operates all long-distance passenger trains over the Lötschberg route and to Interlaken.  BLS operates local services in the Bern area, including those over SBB lines.  Lengnau to Moutier forms part of the main line from Biel/Bienne to Basel and all passenger trains are operated by CFF.  
'''Brienz Rothorn Bahn''' [https://brienz-rothorn-bahn.ch/] : Brienz to Rothorn Kulm: 800 mm gauge with Abt rack.  The line is not electrified and most trains are steam-worked.  The railway does not operate during the winter.


'''Dolderbahn Betriebs AG'''  [https://www.zvv.ch www.zvv.ch]  : Zürich-Römerhof to Zürich-Dolder: Metre gauge, 600 V dc, with Strub rack throughout.  Managed by Verkehrsbetriebe de Stadt Zürich.   
'''Dolderbahn Betriebs AG'''  [https://www.zvv.ch www.zvv.ch]  : Zürich-Römerhof to Zürich-Dolder: Metre gauge, 600 V dc, with Strub rack throughout.  Managed by Verkehrsbetriebe de Stadt Zürich.   

Revision as of 21:44, 15 February 2021

Country Name

Switzerland (Suisse/Schweiz/Svizzera)

National Railway System

National Railway Operator

Schweizerische Bundesbahnen AG (SBB), Chemins de fer fédéraux suisses SA (CFF) and Ferrovie federali svizzere SA (FFS) are the German, French and Italian renderings of Swiss Federal Railways. The form used on buildings and other fixed installations depends on the language area in which they are situated. At a few locations, notably Biel/Bienne, two languages are used. Most rolling stock carries all three sets of initials.

Language

German is the main language. Written German is almost identical to that found in Germany - one main difference is that the esszett ('ß') is rarely used with 'ss' being preferred. Spoken Swiss German however differs considerably from standard German to the extent that many Germans find it hard to understand. There is an extensive French-speaking area covering Cantons Genève, Vaud, Fribourg, Neuchâtel and Jura, plus the western half of Valais and a small part of Bern. Certain towns to the west of Bern are officially bilingual. They are normally shown in both languages, e.g. Biel/Bienne and Fribourg/Freiburg. Italian is spoken in Canton Ticino. The predominant language in Canton Graubünden is German, but there is a minority language, Romansch. Some place names in this canton are generally given in both German and Romansch, e.g. Disentis/Mustér.

Currency

Swiss franc

UIC code

numeric 85; alpha CH

Timetable

Journey Planner

SBB Journey Planner

Swiss transport journey planner

Downloadable Timetable

Principal routes (IC and IR) have been given route numbers from 10 December 2017. The downloadable timetable is divided into many PDFs by timetable number, see web-based map section below for a map of timetable numbers. Unfortunately a few of of the timetable files have filenames and table numbers differing from those shown on the map!

Lausanne metro: https://www.t-l.ch/particuliers/se-deplacer/horaires/horaires-imprimes

Printed Timetable

The last printed Offizielles Kursbuch/Indicateur officiel/Orario ufficiale was published in 2017. It is still available in downloadable pdf format; see above.

Engineering Information

Bus Information

The Journey Planner (above) selects bus services if they provide the best journey.

The Post Bus website provides comprehensive public transport information.

Maps

Printed Maps

  • Eisenbahnatlas Schweiz by Schweers + Wall.
  • European Railway Atlas (All-Europe Edition) by M.G. Ball.
  • European Railway Atlas (Regional Series - Switzerland) by M.G. Ball.
  • Track plans for RhB (ISBN 3-89494-101-4 pub. 1999) were published by Schweers + Wall.
  • SBB's Schweizer Bahn-Karte, which is widely available, shows all passenger railways, inter-urban bus routes, ferries, cable cars and chair lifts on a 1:301000 relief map of Switzerland.
  • Schienennetz Schweiz: Ein technisch-historischer Atlas, published by AS Verlag, includes track layout diagrams and gradient profiles for all Swiss railways, as well as a vast amount of other technical and historical data. The third edition was published in 2010 and it is not known if there is a later one.

Web-based Maps

Ticketing

Fares on some mountain railways are very expensive, though rover tickets, holiday cards, half fare passes and city tickets given free by hotels may give reductions. Discounts may be available for travel on trains early in the morning or late in the afternoon or in low season.

The Interrail One Country Pass for Switzerland is considerably cheaper than the well-promoted Swiss Travel Pass, although the latter includes bus services, lake shipping services and urban transport in most Swiss cities and large towns. Entry to most Swiss museums is also included in the Swiss Travel Pass.

PDF maps of the Swiss transport network can be downloaded here, including maps showing on which lines (both free of charge and at a reduced rate) Interrail and Eurail passes, and the Swiss Travel Pass and visitor's Half Fare Card, are valid.

It is not possible to purchase a ticket on board a train without paying a substantial fine. Tickets must be bought in advance from a machine on the platform, online, or by smartphone. However, the transaction must be completed - including the payment being received by SBB - before the train departs. Some tickets must be date-stamped in a machine on the platform. These rules are enforced rigidly. A few exceptions will be made, for example for travellers changing from an international train who have had no opportunity of buying a ticket.

Infrastructure

Infrastructure Authority

SBB Infrastructure, a division of SBB.

A few lines in Switzerland are owned by Deutsche Bahn AG, the German national railway.

Network Statement

Links towards the bottom of the Track access page

Gauge

The SBB/CFF/FFS system is standard gauge. Most other railways are either standard gauge or metre gauge, and some have sections of both. Various other gauges are used. The Rhätische Bahn and the Matterhorn-Gotthard Bahn together form an extensive metre gauge system with through workings between the two lines.

A new gauge changer was installed at Zweisimmen in 2019, to enable through running of dual gauge stock between the MOB and BLS. This is the only such installation in Switzerland. It was due to come into use in December 2020 but this now seems unlikely as problems have been encountered, such that the design may need to be changed.

Electrification

Most standard gauge lines are electrified at 15 kV 16.7 Hz, with 11 kV 16.7 Hz on the RhB/MGB system. Various systems are used by other railways, including low voltage dc. The CFF line from Genève to the frontier at La Plaine (but excluding the tracks to Genève Aeroport) is electrified at 25 kV 50 Hz for through running by SNCF trains; it was converted from 1500 V dc in autumn 2014. Very few lines are not electrified, the main exceptions being the steam-worked Brienz Rothorn Bahn and the freight-only Sursee-Triengen line.

With the electrification of Erzingen (Baden) to Schaffhausen, the only remaining unelectrified section of the Basel to Schaffhausen line within Switzerland is the 2km between Basel Bad Bf and the border. DB diesel units continue to operate Basel - Singen services including over the electrified Swiss sections either side of Schaffhausen. Electrification of the Basel to Erzingen section (almost all within Germany) is planned for the mid-2020s.

Most tramways operate at 750 V dc.

Rule of the road

Left, except for right hand running as follows: on DB AG lines through Basel and Schaffhausen, the SNCF line between Mulhouse and Basel SBB / Bâle SNCF and between Geneve and Annemasse [SNCF] which reduces conflicts at La-Praille and Annemasse. There is extensive bi-directional signalling, so it is quite usual for trains to run on the right-hand track if this suits operating requirements.

Distances

Eisenbahnatlas Schweiz by Schweers + Wall is the most easily available source of distance information.

Detailed distances for most of SBB can be found at Linie mit Betriebspunkten. This is a list of stations and junctions with distances to 3 decimal points. It does not, however, take account of deviations which increase or decrease the distance.

The Schienennetz Schweiz (see the Printed Maps section) was the definitive publication. However it may not be easily available or up to date.

Other Railways

Cantons (local government) have extensive shareholdings in many of these railways. Some railways have amalgamated in recent years or combined their operations. Rolling stock, tickets and publicity may still bear old names in some cases. In many cases other railways operate over SBB lines and vice versa. Funicular railways are not listed.

Aare Seeland mobil AG www.asmobil.ch  : Biel/Bienne to Ins; Niederbipp to Langenthal and St Urban Ziegelei; Solothurn to Niederbipp: Metre gauge, 1200V dc. The freight-only line from St Urban Ziegelei to Melchnau closed in 2012.

Aargau Verkehr AG www.aargauverkehr.ch/  : Wohlen to Dietikon: Metre gauge, 1200 V dc. Aarau to Schöftland and to Menziken. Metre gauge, 750 V dc.

Appenzeller Bahnen AG www.appenzellerbahnen.ch  :

  • Gossau to Appenzell and Wasserauen; St Gallen to Gais and Appenzell; Gais to Altstätten Stadt; St Gallen to Trogen: Metre gauge, 1500V dc, with Strub rack between Stoss and Altstätten Stadt.
  • Rheineck to Walzenhausen: 1200 mm gauge, 600 V dc, with Riggenbach rack between Ruderbach and Walzenhausen.
  • Rorschach to Heiden: Standard gauge, 15 kV 16.7 Hz, with Riggenbach rack, except at Rorschach.

BLS AG www.bls.ch  : Lengnau to Moutier; Bern to Neuchâtel and to Schwarzenburg; Bern to Thun via Belp; Thun to Brig and to Visp via the old and new Lötschberg tunnels; Spiez to Interlaken Ost and to Zweisimmen; Solothurn to Moutier and to Burgdorf; Burgdorf to Thun and to Langnau; Ramsei to Sumiswald-Grünen; Langenthal to Wolhusen; Sumiswald-Grünen to Burghof (freight only); Sumiswald-Grünen to Huttwill (freight only but with summer tourist operation by Emmentalbahn - see below). All standard gauge, 15 kV 16.7 Hz. SBB operates all long-distance passenger trains over the Lötschberg route and to Interlaken. BLS operates local services in the Bern area, including those over SBB lines. Lengnau to Moutier forms part of the main line from Biel/Bienne to Basel and all passenger trains are operated by CFF.

Brienz Rothorn Bahn [1] : Brienz to Rothorn Kulm: 800 mm gauge with Abt rack. The line is not electrified and most trains are steam-worked. The railway does not operate during the winter.

Dolderbahn Betriebs AG www.zvv.ch  : Zürich-Römerhof to Zürich-Dolder: Metre gauge, 600 V dc, with Strub rack throughout. Managed by Verkehrsbetriebe de Stadt Zürich.

Chemin de fer de l’Etat de Genève  : Genève Eaux Vives to French border near Ambilly: Standard gauge, 25kV 50 Hz. Leased to Réseau ferré de France and worked jointly by CFF and SNCF. The railway has been rebuilt as part of the Léman Express project, which saw it linked to the main line through Genève in 2019.

Ferrovie autolinee regionali ticinesi www.centovalli.ch  : Locarno to Camedo (line continues through Italy as Societa Subalpina di Imprese Ferroviarie to Domodossola): Metre gauge, 1200V dc.

Forchbahn AG www.forchbahn.ch  : Zürich-Rehalp to Esslingen (operates over the Zürich tram system between Rehalp and Stadelhofen): Metre gauge, 1200V dc (600V on the tramway section).

Frauenfeld-Wil Bahn AG www.fw-bahn.ch  : Frauenfeld to Wil: Metre gauge, 1200 V dc.

Gornergrat Bahn www.gornergratbahn.ch  : Zermatt to Gornergrat: Metre gauge, 750 V 50 Hz three-phase, with Abt rack throughout. The railway is managed by the Matterhorn-Gotthard Bahn.

Jungfraubahnen www.jungfraubahn.ch Jungfraubahn Holding AG and Berner Oberland Bahnen AG are jointly-managed companies that own and operate the following lines:

  • Berner Oberland Bahnen: Interlaken Ost to Lauterbrunnen and to Grindelwald: Metre gauge, 1500 V dc, with Riggenbach rack.
  • Bergbahn Lauterbrunnen-Mürren: Grütschalp to Mürren: Metre gauge, 550 V dc.
  • Jungfraubahn: Kleine Scheidegg to Jungfraujoch: Metre gauge, 1125 V 50 Hz three-phase, with Strub rack throughout.
  • Schynige Platte Bahn: Wilderswil to Schynige Platte: 800 mm gauge, 1500 V dc, with Riggenbach rack. No winter service.
  • Wengernalpbahn: Kleine Scheidegg to Lauterbrunnen and to Grindelwald: 800 mm gauge, 1500 V dc, with Riggenbach rack.

Chemins de fer du Jura www.les-cj.ch  :

  • La Chaux-de-Fonds to Glovelier; Le Noirmont to Tavannes: Metre gauge, 1500 V dc.
  • Porrentruy to Bonfol: Standard gauge, 15 kV 16.7 Hz.

Chemin de fer Lausanne-Echallens-Bercher SA www.leb.ch  : Lausanne-Flon to Bercher: Metre gauge, 1500 V dc.

Ferrovie Luganesi SA flpsa.ch  : Lugano to Ponte Tresa: Metre gauge, 1000V dc.

AG Matterhorn Gotthard Bahn www.matterhorngotthardbahn.ch  : Zermatt to Brig, Andermatt, Göschenen and Disentis/Mustér: Metre gauge, 11 kV, 16.7 Hz, with several sections of Abt rack.

Meiringen Innertkirchen Bahn www.grimselstrom.ch  : Metre gauge, 1200 V dc. Owned by a local power company, Kraftwerk Oberhasli AG.

Ferrovia Monte Generoso www.montegeneroso.ch  : Capolago Lago to Generoso Vetta: 800 mm gauge

Chemin de fer Montreux Oberland Bernois www.mob.ch  : Montreux to Zweisimmen and Lenk: Metre gauge, 900 V dc.

Chemin de fer Nyon-St Cergue-Morez www.bustpn.ch/nstcm  : Nyon to La Cure: Metre gauge, 1500 V dc. The company's name reflects that railway originally continued to Morez, in France, but the line beyond the Swiss border at La Cure closed in 1958.

Oensingen-Balsthal Bahn AG www.oebb.ch  : Balsthal to Oensingen: Standard gauge 15 kV 16.7 Hz. Passenger services are worked by SBB.

Pilatus Bahnen AG [2] : Alpnachstad to Pilatus Kulm: 800 mm gauge, 1550 V dc, with Locher rack, unique to this line. The steepest rack railway in the world, it does not operate during the winter.

RegionAlps SA: A joint venture between CFF (70%), Transports de Martigny et Régions SA (18%) and Canton Valais (12%) responsible for operation of local passenger trains between Brig and St Gingolph and from Martigny to Le Châble and Orsières. www.regionalps.ch

Regionalverkehr Bern-Solothurn AG:

  • Bern to Solothurn, Unterzollikofen and Worb Dorf via Worblaufen: Metre gauge, 1250 V dc.
  • Bern Egghölzli to Worb Dorf via Gümligen: Metre gauge, 600 V dc, with through running at Egghölzli onto the Bern tram system.www.rbe.ch

Rhätische Bahn:

  • Chur to Arosa; Chur to St Moritz and Pontresina via Thusis; Reichenau-Tamins to Disentis/Muster; Chur to Filisur via Davos; Klosters to Sagliains and Susch; Bever to Scuol-Tarasp; Samedan to Pontresina: Metre gauge, 11 kV 16.7 Hz.
  • St Moritz to Tirano: Metre gauge, 1000 V dc.

There is mixed-gauge track Chur to Ems Werk, to allow freight operation by SBB. The Italian and Romansch names Ferrovia retica and Viafier retica appear on rolling stock, but the abbreviation 'RhB' is always used. www.rhb.ch

Rigi Bahnen: Vitznau to Rigi Kulm; Arth-Goldau to Rigi Kulm: 1500 V dc, with Riggenbach rack on both lines. www.rigi.ch

Schweizerische Südostbahn: Romanshorn to St Gallen St Fiden; St Gallen to Wattwil and Nesslau-Neu St Johann; Rapperswil to Arth-Goldau, Wädenswil to Samstagern, Biberbrugg to Einsiedeln: Standard gauge 15 kV 16.7 Hz. The company trades as Südostbahn, but the service between Luzern and St Gallen is branded Voralpen Express. The company operates local trains over some SBB lines in Eastern Switzerland and IR trains on the Gotthard line. www.suedostbahn.ch

Sensetalbahn: Flamatt to Laupen: Standard gauge 15 kV 16.7 Hz. The line is staffed by SBB, but trains are operated by BLS. Rail-cycles can be hired throughout the year at Laupen station for use on the closed railway from there most of the way to Gümmenen.

Sihltal-Zürich-Uetliberg Bahn SZU AG:

  • Zürich HB to Uetliberg: Standard gauge, 1200 V dc.
  • Zürich HB to Sihlbrugg: Standard gauge, 15 kV 16.7 Hz. There is no passenger service between Sihlwald and Sihlbrugg.

Trains operate over the same tracks in Zürich, so the overhead wire on the Uetliberg line is offset to one side. www.szu.ch

Sursee-Triengen-Bahn AG: Sursee to Triengen: Freight only, standard gauge, not electrified. Occasional steam passenger trains operate. www.sursee-triengen-bahn.ch

Thurbo AG: A SBB (90%) and Canton Thurgau (10%) joint venture for operation of local trains in north-east Switzerland. www.thurbo.ch

Transports de Martigny et Régions SA:

  • Martigny to Orsières and Le Châble: Standard gauge 15 kV 16.7 Hz. Operated by RegionAlps SA.
  • Martigny to Le Châtelard-Frontière: Metre gauge, 800 V dc, with Strub rack and third rail electrification between Vernayaz and Salvan. There are through workings over the SNCF line to Chamonix. www.tmrsa.ch

Transports Montreux-Vevey-Riviera:

  • Vevey to Les Pléiades: Metre gauge, 850 V dc, with Strub rack Blonay to Les Pléiades.
  • Montreux to Rochers-de-Naye: 800 mm gauge, 850 V dc, with Abt rack.

Managed by Chemin de Fer Montreux Oberland Bernois. www.mob.ch

transN SA (Transports Publics Neuchâtelois):

  • Les Brenets to Le Locle; La Chaux-de-Fonds to Les Ponts-de-Martel : Metre gauge, 1500 V dc.
  • Travers to Fleurier and Buttes: Standard gauge, 15 kV 16.7 Hz. There are occasional steam trains over a non-electrified standard-gauge freight branch from Fleurier to St Sulpice. www.transn.ch

Transports Publics du Chablais

  • Aigle to Leysin Grand Hotel: Metre gauge, 1500 V dc, with Abt rack, except between Aigle and Aigle Dépot
  • Aigle to Le Sépey and Les Diablerets: Metre gauge, 1500 V dc.
  • Monthey to Aigle and to Champéry: Metre gauge, 850 V dc, with Strub rack on most of the line to Champéry. To be converted to 1000 V dc and Abt rack.
  • Bex to Villars-sur-Ollon and Col-de-Bretaye: Metre gauge, 650 V dc, with Abt rack between Villars-sur-Ollon and Col-de-Bretaye. www.tpc.ch

Transports Publics Fribourgeoise Holding (TPF) SA:

  • Bulle to Palézieux, Broc Fabrique and Montbovon: Metre gauge, 800 V dc.
  • Romont to Bulle; Ins to Muntelier; Murten to Givisiez: Standard gauge, 15 kV 16.7 Hz. www.tpf.ch

Transports de la Région Morges-Bière-Cossonay SA: Morges to Bière; Apples to L’Isle-Mont-la-Ville; Bière Jonction to Bière-Casernes (freight only): Metre gauge, 15 kV 16.7 Hz. www.mbc.ch

Travys (Transports Vallée du Joux Yverdon-les-Bains Sainte Croix SA):

  • Yverdon to Ste Croix: Metre gauge, 15 kV, 16.7 H z.
  • Chavornay to Orbe: Standard gauge, 700 V dc but to be converted to 15 kV 16.7 Hz by 2025.
  • Le Pont to Le Brassus: Standard gauge, 15 kV 16.7 Hz, with through running via CFF to and from Vallorbe. www.travys.ch

Chemin de fer Vevey Chexbres: Vevey - Puidoux. Standard gauge 15 kV 16.7 Hz. Operated by CFF.

Waldenburgerbahn: Liestal - Waldenburg: 750 mm gauge, 1500 V dc. To be converted to metre gauge by 2022. In 2016 the railway became part of BLT Baselland Transport AG. www.blt.ch

Zentralbahn (ZB Zentralbahn AG): Luzern to Interlaken Ost and Engelberg: Metre gauge, 15 kV 16.7 Hz with some Riggenbach rack sections. The company is 66% owned by SBB. www.zentralbahn.ch

Tourist lines

Many railways operate principally for tourists, usually on a daily basis throughout the year. The following are "heritage" operations:

Chemin de fer touristique Blonay-Chamby: Blonay to Chamby (metre gauge) www.blonay-chamby.ch

Dampfbahn Furka Bergstrecke: Realp to Oberwald (metre gauge) www.dfb.ch

Dampfbahn Verein Zürcher Oberland: Bauma to Hinwil (SBB line with no other passenger service) https://dvzo.ch/

Emmentalbahn: Sumiswald-Grünen to Huttwil and Wasen im Emmental (BLS Lötschbergbahn lines with no other passenger service) www.emmentalbahn.ch

Sursee Triengen Bahn: Sursee to Triengen ('private' freight-only line) www.sursee-triengen-bahn.ch/

Museumsbahn Stein am Rhein - Etzwilen - Singen: Etzwilen to Singen. Operations were extended from Rielasingen to Singen in August 2020. www.etzwilen-singen.ch/

Vapeur Val de Travers: Travers to St Sulpice (there is a regular passenger service by Les Transports régionaux neuchâtelois between Travers and Fleurier) www.vvt.ch/

Zürcher Museumsbahn: Zürich-Wiedikon to Sihlbrugg (there is a regular passenger service by Sihltal Zürich Uetlibergbahn between Zürich-Giesshübel and Sihlwald) www.museumsbahn.ch/

See the Sinfin.net site for links to Museum/Tourist etc. railways.

Metro

A significant number of local lines around Swiss towns and cities have Metro characteristics. The Metro system in Lausanne, between Lausanne-Flon and Renens VD and between Ouchy and Croisettes, is the only one designed and built as such, though a short section of the line from Ouchy is converted from a former rack line.

A track plan of the Lausanne system is available on the Carto.Metro site.

Trams/LRT-Systems

Basel www.bvb-basel.ch (BVB), www.blt.ch (BLT: the BLT-operated routes to Ettingen, Dornach and Rodersdorf appear in the railway section of the Offizielles Kursbuch), www.tnw.ch; Bern www.bernmobil.ch; Genève www.tpg.ch; Neuchatel (the route from Place Pury to Boudry appears in the railway section of the Indicateur officiel) www.tnneuchatel.ch; and Zürich www.vbz.ch. Part of the line from Basel to Rodersdorf runs through France. An unusual tramway is Riffelalptram, connecting the Riffelalp Resort hotel and the Riffelalp station (GGB). It is 500 m long, located on altitude 2200 m, has 800 mm gauge and is battery-operated www.riffelalp.com.

Track plans for Basel, Bern and Zürich are available on the Gleisplanweb site. A track plan of the Genève system is available on the Carto.Metro site.

See also Switzerland - Tram services over obscure routes

Recent and Future Changes

The branch from Les Brenets to Le Locle is to close in December 2024, being replaced by electric buses.

In January 2019 the cantons of Appenzell Ausserrhoden and St Gallen put the following rack-operated lines up for review. The results were announced in May 2020:

  • 856 Gais - Altstätten Stadt. Planned to be closed in 2035 when the existing rolling stock comes up for replacement
  • 857 Rorschach Hafen - Heiden. This line will be retained in its current form
  • 858 Rheineck - Walzenhausen. Proposed for conversion either to automatic operation or to a cable car.

The Porrentruy – Bonfol line has reportedly been threatened with closure owing to the cost of renewing the signalling and providing universal access, although no actual closure plans have been published.

The Solothurn - Moutier line was threatened with closure owing to the condition of Weissenstein tunnel, but in 2017 the Federal Office for Transport announced that the tunnel was to be renovated, starting in 2020.

The line from Sissach to Olten via Läufelfingen was proposed for closure, but this was rejected in a local referendum in November 2017.

The Berner Oberland Bahn was reported to be reviewing the future of the Schynige Platte Bahn, which operates from the end of May until the end of October. It is increasingly difficult to maintain the historic rolling stock, the line is only marginally profitable and there are no reserves for modernisation. However in June 2019 it was announced that the railway will continue to operate with the existing rolling stock for at least the next 25 years.

Lines at Leysin and St Gallen are expected to close, because alternatives are being provided. See details below.

Projects under way or planned

Trains between Montreux and Zweisimmen were planned to run through to/from Interlaken Ost from 13 December 2020, making use of the new gauge changer installed at Zweisimmen in 2019; however problems have been encountered with the gauge-changing equipment so the introduction of through trains is likely to be delayed. It is possible that the gauge-changer will have to be replaced by a different design.

Following the linking of the Appenzeller and Trogener Bahn lines in St Gallen, there will be a more direct exit route from St Gallen towards Appenzell to the north of the SBB Depot by 2021. A new tunnel, which replaced the rack-equipped section between St Gallen and Riethüsli, opened on 7 October 2018.

The 750mm-gauge line between Liestal and Waldenburg (Waldenburgerbahn) is to close on 6 April 2021 for conversion to metre gauge. Reopening is planned for December 2022. A longer-term aspiration is to link this line up with BLT tram route 14 to Pratteln.

The TRAVYS operated Chavornay - Orbe branch is to be converted from 750 V DC to 15 kV AC and the current station forecourt platform and level crossing at Chavornay replaced by a new alignment from 1.3km north. Work is planned to commence in summer 2021 for completion in 2023.

The Transports Publics du Chablais (TPC) has two projects:

  • Monthey-Ville on the Aigle – Monthey – Champéry line is to be closed and the lines serving it diverted to Monthey SBB, probably in December 2024. See this map for details.
  • The Aigle - Leysin line is to be extended 780 m in tunnel to Télésiège Tête d’Aï to serve a ski lift, planned for 2023. The line from Leysin-Feydey to the current terminus of Leysin-Grand Hôtel will be closed.

The 4.7km long branch from Bulle to Broc-Fabrique is to close in April 2021 to be re-gauged from metre to 1435mm and converted to 15 kV. Reopening is planned for December 2022.

In June 2019 the Swiss Parliament approved funding for a programme of works to upgrade and modernise the railway network, for the period up to 2035. Projects include:

  • A rail line to Basel/Mulhouse airport
  • A new line between Neuchâtel and La Chaux-de-Fonds, to avoid the reversal at Chambrelien
  • Completion of the southern section of the Zimmerberg tunnel, between Zürich and Zug
  • A new, more direct line between Zürich and Winterthur, including the Brüttener tunnel from Bassersdorf and Dietlikon to Winterthur

There will also be detailed planning of new lines between Basel SBB and Basel Bad Bf and at Luzern, to avoid reversal at the main station. The latter is expected to include a new line in a tunnel below the Vierwaldstättersee.

A 22 km metre gauge Grimselbahn link between Innertkirchen and Oberwald, mostly in tunnel including the long [8km] Grimsel tunnel, but only single track, is planned. This would connect the Matterhorn Gotthard Bahn and Zentralbahn metre gauge systems. The tunnels would be shared by power cables diverted from their existing route over mountains.

Recent changes

The BLS local service between Spiez and Interlaken Ost was withdrawn from the December 2020 timetable change and replaced by a bus service. The intermediate stations at Faulensee, Leissigen and Därligen were closed.

The new Bözberg Tunnel, between Brugg AG and Frick, was completed in February 2020. It has a larger loading gauge which allows piggyback services with 4-metre high trailers to use this route. Trains started using the new tunnel, and the old tunnel was closed, from 13 December 2020.

The new Eppenberg Tunnel, between Aarau and Däniken, opened to traffic on 12 October 2020, with full use by main line trains starting on 13 December 2020.

On the metre-gauge Regionalbahnen Bern-Solothurn line between Bern and Worb-Dorf, a deviation at Boll-Utzigen including a new station was opened on 26 September 2020. The old route and station closed on 17 September.

The first revenue freight train through the 15.4km Ceneri Base Tunnel, between Bellinzona and Lugano, ran on 4 September 2020. Passenger trains started running with the December 2020 timetable change, including over the new south to west curve from the tunnel to the Locarno line (Biv. Camorino to Biv. Vigana).

The SEHR preservation group reopened their line between Rielasingen (CH) and Singen (DE) with an inaugural day of service on 16 August 2020, thus restoring services to the complete line between Etzwilen and Singen.

The Léman Express cross-border suburban network serving Genève and Annemasse began regular operation on 16 December 2019, following a formal inauguration on 12 December 2019 of the last section. In first step, local trains were introduced over part of the La Praille freight branch, to Lancy-Point-Rouge (where a new station opened 8 December 2017). From here the line uses the existing freight line to Bachet-de-Pesay, beyond which a new line crosses the river Arve then runs in tunnel most of the way to Annemasse. The new underground line follows the alignment of the closed Eaux Vives branch. The last [Genève Cornavin - ] Lancy-Point-Rouge - Genève Eaux Vives - Annemasse section of the line was formally inaugurated on 12 December 2019. For more detail of the Cornavin - Eaux-Vives - Annemasse [CEVA] Project follow link.

A new station and line came into use at Châtel St Denis on 14 December 2019, enabling TPF trains to run between the Palézieux and Bulle lines without having to reverse.

The SNCF line from Delle to Belfort (closed to passengers in September 1992) reopened on 9 December 2018 thus restoring this connection between the Swiss and French networks.

The new Rosshäusen Tunnel, between Bern and Kerzers, opened to traffic on 3 September 2018.

transN's metre gauge service between Le Locle and Les Brenets resumed operation on 16 April 2018 after new (BAV approved) wheelsets were fitted to one of its electric railcars, but the line is to close in December 2023 for conversion to a bus way.

The Mendrisio - Stabio - Arcisio [IT] – Varese cross-border line opened to Stabio on 14 December 2014 and through to Varese on 7 January 2018. It was originally scheduled for completion in 2013, but construction of the new line between Stabio and Arcisio was heavily delayed.

Basel tram line 3 was extended on 31 July 2017 from Burgfelden Grenze to Burgfelderhof on the French border, and the former renamed Waldighoferstrasse. It was extended further from Burgfelderhof to Gare Saint Louis from 10 December 2017.

For details of older changes, see Switzerland - Older General Information

Special notes

Distinctions between main line railways, light railways and tramways are more difficult in Switzerland than perhaps any other country. For example, the main line of the Rhätische Bahn from St Moritz to Tirano has several sections of street running. In Chur, the first section of the Arosa line out from Chur station is street running dual track, but not wide enough to permit trains crossing. In addition there is 11 kV ac over the street.

The Matterhorn-Gotthard, Rhätische Bahn and Montreux Oberland Bernois are among the railways running "Panoramic", "Glacier Express" or other trains with special facilities, such as observation cars. A supplementary fare is usually charged and advance reservation compulsory or strongly recommended.

The European Train Control System, Level 2, incorporating in-cab signalling is used on the Mattsetten (Bern) to Rothrist (Olten) high-speed line and through the Lötschberg, Gotthard and Ceneri base tunnels. On the Gotthard line in-cab signalling extends between Brunnen and Castione-Arbedo, with the only trackside signals being shunt signals.

Tourist railways up mountains are sometimes of limited capacity, but subject to high demand, particularly at holiday periods and during the winter sports season. In such cases it may be necessary to wait some time before being able to board a train, so it is best to arrive at the railway as early in the day as possible. When booking a trip it is often necessary to reserve a seat on a specific train down the mountain. Once the railway’s capacity to bring people back down the mountain is fully booked, no more can ascend, unless they are staying at a summit hotel.

See also