Switzerland - General Information: Difference between revisions

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{{Navbox Switzerland}}
==Country Name==
==Country Name==
Switzerland (Suisse/Schweiz/Svizzera)
Switzerland (Suisse/Schweiz/Svizzera)
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==National Railway System==
==National Railway System==
===National Railway Operator===
===National Railway Operator===
Schweizerische Bundesbahnen AG ([http://www.sbb.ch SBB]), Chemins de fer federaux 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 langauges are used. Most rolling stock carries all three sets of initials.
Schweizerische Bundesbahnen AG ([https://www.sbb.ch 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.  


===Infrastructure Authority===
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.  
SBB Infrastructur, a division of SBB, provides a comprehensive database of [http://www.sbb.ch/en/corporation/sbb-as-business-partner/offers-for-rus/onestopshop/routes-and-railway-installations.html Routes and railway installations].


A few lines in Switzerland are owned by Deutsche Bahn AG, the German national railway.
Italian is spoken in Canton Ticino.  


==Language==
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.
German is the main language. There is an extensive French-speaking area covering Cantons Vaud, Fribourg, Neuchatel and Jura, plus the western half of Valais and a small part of Bern. Italian is spoken in Canton Ticino. The predominant language in Canton Graubünden is German, but there is a minority language, Romansch.


==Currency==
==Currency==
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==Timetable==
==Timetable==
===Journey Planner===
===Journey Planner===
[http://www.sbb.ch/en/index.htm www.sbb.ch/en/index.htm]
[https://www.sbb.ch/en/timetable.html SBB Journey Planner]
 
[https://www.xn--v-info-vxa.ch/de Swiss transport journey planner]
 
===Downloadable Timetable===
===Downloadable Timetable===
* SBB: [http://www.fahrplanfelder.ch/en www.fahrplanfelder.ch/en]  
* All services: [https://www.xn--v-info-vxa.ch/de/fahrplan-aktuell/fahrplanfelder-abfragen öv.info.ch] (German) [https://www.tp-info.ch/fr/horaire-actuel/rechercher-un-tableau-horaire tp-info.ch/fr] (French) and [https://www.tp-info.ch/it/orario-aggiornato/consulta-i-quadri-dorario tp-info.ch/it] (Italian). SBB [https://www.sbb.ch] at the top right of the page the user can choose English, German, French or Itlaian. These sites replaced the former fahrplanfelder.ch site in April 2023.
* Lausanne metro: [http://www.t-l.ch www.t-l.ch]
 
Searches can be made by placename, station or stop name and by table number. All Swiss public transport timetables (SBB/CFF/FFS, other rail operators, tram, bus, Metro, ferry, cable-car, ski lift etc) are available on these sites.
 
An archive of previous years' timetables back to 2006 is on the new öv.info.ch site [https://www.xn--v-info-vxa.ch/de/fahrplan-aktuell/fahrplanarchiv here].
 
===Printed Timetable===
===Printed Timetable===
The Offizielles Kursbuch/Indicateur officiel/Orario ufficiale is published annually and is extremely comprehensive. There are three volumes, one for railways, cablecars, funiculars and shipping services, and the other two for buses and trams. There is a full introduction in German, French, Italian, Romansch and English, with tabular material in the language appropriate to the part of the country concerned. They can be ordered on line, but only as a set, at [http://www.fahrplancenter.ch/ www.fahrplancenter.ch] (in German only).  
The last printed ''Offizielles Kursbuch/Indicateur officiel/Orario ufficiale'' was published in 2017. It is still available in downloadable pdf format; see above. However, a private publisher still produced the printed volume see [https://www.verkehrsclub.ch/angebote/kursbuch-bestellen Kursbuch] but this has now ceased with the 2024 edition due to lack of demand.


===Engineering Information===
===Engineering Information===
* Permanent timetable amendments: [http://www.fahrplanfelder.ch/en/permanent-amendments www.fahrplanfelder.ch/en/permanent-amendments]
* Temporary timetable amendments: [https://www.xn--v-info-vxa.ch/de/fahrplan-aktuell/temporaere-fahrplanaenderungen öv-info.ch/de/fahrplan-aktuell/temporaere-fahrplanaenderungen]
* Temporary timetable amendments: [http://www.fahrplanfelder.ch/en/temporary-amendments www.fahrplanfelder.ch/en/temporary-amendments]
 
* Information on disruptions: [http://mct.sbb.ch/mct/en/reisezeit/fahrplan_ereignisfall/fahrplan_verkehrsinfo.htm mct.sbb.ch/mct/en/reisezeit/fahrplan_ereignisfall/fahrplan_verkehrsinfo.htm]
===Bus Information===
The [[#Journey Planner|Journey Planner]] (above) selects bus services if they provide the best journey.


The [https://www.postauto.ch/ Post Bus] website provides comprehensive public transport information.


==Maps==
==Maps==
===Printed Maps===
===Printed Maps===
*''Eisenbahnatlas Schweiz'' published by [http://www.schweers-wall.de/ Verlag Schweers + Wall GmbH]. (ISBN 3-89494-122-7) is used as a reference in the Sparse/Obscure pages of this website. It also contains addresses, telephone numbers, and, where available, e-mail and web addresses for all transport companies using rail.
*[[Printed Maps#SW-CH | Eisenbahnatlas Schweiz]] by Schweers + Wall.
*Track plans for RhB (ISBN 3-89494-101-4) and MGB (ISBN 3.89494) have been published by Schweers+Wall.
*[[Printed Maps#ERA-E | European Railway Atlas (All-Europe Edition)]] by M.G. Ball.
*[[Printed Maps#ERA-R-CH | 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.
*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 (ISBN 3-905111-21-7), includes track layout diagrams and gradient profiles for all Swiss railways, as well as a vast amount of other technical and historical data.
*''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.
*European Railway Atlas: Denmark, Germany, Austria, Switzerland by M.G. Ball (1993) (ISBN 0-7110-2116-3)
*[http://www.europeanrailwayatlas.com/index.html European Railway Atlas] by M.G. Ball (2008 onwards)


===Web-based Maps===
===Web-based Maps===
*A clear on-line network map is available on [http://mct.sbb.ch/mct/netzkarte_schweiz.pdf the SBB website].
*A zoomable network map (without timetable numbers) is available online [https://maps.trafimage.ch/ the Swiss public transport atlas].
*[http://www.sporenplan.nl/ Sporenplan] has an on-line map giving acces to a series of schematic track diagrams. Click on "Sporenplanen" on the left hand side to access a map showing the countries covered.
*[http://www.sporenplan.nl/html_de/sporenplan/sbb/start.html Sporenplan] has an on-line map giving access to a series of schematic track diagrams.  
*Thorsten Büker's [http://www.bueker.net/trainspotting/maps_switzerland.php Map of Switzerland].
*Thorsten Büker's map[https://websites.umich.edu/~yopopov/rrt/railroadmaps/switzerland.html] updated May 2022
* Direct download link to SBB map showing if the GA travelcard is valid on a line or not, all lines shown on map [https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=2ahUKEwiwvOGa-q-DAxXjX0EAHVR2DLwQFnoECBkQAQ&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.sbb.ch%2Fcontent%2Fdam%2Finternet%2Fsbb%2Fde%2Fabos-billette%2Fabonnemente%2FGeltungsbereichskarte.pdf.sbbdownload.pdf&usg=AOvVaw1i3cjkXlDDeqC82ReA0yZx&opi=89978449]
*[[Maps and Plans#Switzerland|Maps and Plans - Switzerland]]


==Ticketing==
==Ticketing==
Fares on some mountain railways are very expensive, though rover tickets and holiday cards may give reductions. Discounts may be available for travel on trains early in the morning or late in the afternoon.
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.
 
A [https://www.myswissalps.com/interrailswitzerlandpass/validity downloadable map] shows the lines on which Interrail tickets are valid in Switzerland, either free of further charge or at a reduced rate.
 
An [https://www.sbb.ch/en/travelcards-and-tickets/railpasses/area-validity-map.html online validity map] shows where Swiss travel passes, including the Day Saver Pass, 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.
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.


==Gauge==
==Infrastructure==
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 three lines.
===Infrastructure Authority===
[https://company.sbb.ch/en/the-company/organisation/infrastructure.html SBB Infrastructure], a division of SBB.
 
A few lines in Switzerland are owned by DB InfraGO AG, the German national railway infrastructure company (formerly DB Netz).
 
===Network Statement===
Links towards the bottom of the [https://company.sbb.ch/en/sbb-as-business-partner/services-rus/onestopshop/track-access.html 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 gauge changer at Zweisimmen enables through running of dual gauge stock between the metre gauge MOB and the standard gauge BLS. This is the only such installation in Switzerland.
 
===Electrification===
Almost all standard gauge lines are electrified at 15 kV 16.7 Hz ac with 11 kV 16.7 Hz ac on the RhB/MGB metre-gauge 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 Aéroport) was electrified on 29.09.1956 at 1500 V dc. This was last used on 14.07.2014 and the line reopened on 25.08.2014 electrified at 25 kV 50 Hz ac for through running by SNCF trains. Very few lines are not electrified, the main exceptions being the steam-worked Brienz Rothorn Bahn, the freight-only Sursee – Triengen and Solothurn – Büren an der Aare lines (the latter de-electrified when closed to passengers on 28.05.1994) and the Etzwilen to Singen (DE) heritage line.


==Electrification==
With the electrification of Erzingen (Baden) to Schaffhausen, the only remaining unelectrified section of the Basel to Schaffhausen line within Switzerland is the 2 km 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 completion in 2027; see this [https://www.deutschebahn.com/de/presse/presse-regional/pr-stuttgart-de/aktuell/presseinformationen/168-pi_hochrheinbahn_rufv-12581124 DB press release].
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 Geneve to the frontier at La Plaine (but excluding the tracks to Geneve Aeroport) is electrified at 1500 V dc, for through running by SNCF trains. There are plans to rebuild this line into 25 kV 50 Hz. Very few lines are not electrified, the main exceptions being the DB AG line from Basel to Schaffhausen which is partly within Switzerland, the steam-worked Brienz Rothorn Bahn and the freight-only Sursee-Triengen line.


==Rule of the road==
Most tramways operate at 750 V dc.
Left, except for right hand running as follows: on DB AG lines through Basel and Schaffhausen, and on the SNCF line between Mulhouse and Basel SBB / Bâle SNCF.
 
===Rule of the road===
Left, except for right hand running as follows:  
 
* on DB InfraGO lines between Basel Bad Bf and the frontiers towards Weil am Rhein and Grenzach
* on the DB InfraGO line between Erzingen (Baden), Schaffhausen and Thayngen Grenze
* on the SNCF Réseau line from Mulhouse between St Louis Grenze/Frontière and Basel SBB / Bâle SNCF  
* between Genève and Annemasse (SNCF) which reduces conflicts at La Praille and Annemasse.
* on double-track sections of the RBS (Regionalverkehr Bern-Solothurn) network
* on the northern (fast) pair of lines between Zürich Altstetten and the flyover adjacent to RB Limattal (Rangierbahnhof/marshalling yard). The southern (slow) lines have left-hand running. The westbound fast line uses the flyover to cross the other three lines so that west of there the lines are paired by direction with left-hand running.
 
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===
[[Printed Maps#SW-CH | Eisenbahnatlas Schweiz]] by Schweers + Wall is the most easily available source of distance information.
 
Detailed distances for most of SBB can be found at [https://data.sbb.ch/explore/dataset/linie-mit-betriebspunkten/information/ 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==
==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. This is particularly so with Aare Seeland mobil, Montreux Oberland Bernois and BLS Lötschbergbahn. In many cases private railways operate over SBB lines and vice versa. Unless shown otherwise, lines are standard gauge and electrified at 15 kV 16.7 Hz. Funicular railways are not listed.
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'''  [https://www.asmobil.ch/de/ 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 officially closed on 21.03.2012 but the last train was a passenger special on 18.09.2011
 
'''Aargau Verkehr AG'''  [https://www.aargauverkehr.ch/ 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'''  [https://www.appenzellerbahnen.ch 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.
* Frauenfeld to Wil: Metre gauge, 1200 V dc. This line was absorbed into the Appenzeller Bahnen system in 2021.
 
'''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 Wasen im Emmental and to Huttwil (freight only to Burghof and Huttwil but with summer tourist operation by [https://www.emmentalbahn.ch/ Emmentalbahn] to Wasen and Huttwil - 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-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 Zürich. 
 
'''Ferrovie autolinee regionali ticinesi''' trading as Ferrovia Vigezzina-Centovalli [https://www.vigezzinacentovalli.com/en/ www.vigezzinacentovalli.com]: Locarno to Camedo (line continues through Italy as Societa Subalpina di Imprese Ferroviarie to Domodossola): Metre gauge, 1200V dc. 
 
'''Forchbahn AG'''  [https://www.forchbahn.ch 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).
'''Gornergrat Bahn'''  [https://www.gornergrat.ch/en/ www.gornergrat.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'''  [https://www.jungfrau.ch/en-gb/ www.jungfrau.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'''  [https://www.les-cj.ch/ 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'''  [https://www.leb.ch www.leb.ch]: Lausanne-Flon to Bercher: Metre gauge, 1500 V dc.
 
'''Ferrovie Luganesi SA'''  [https://flpsa.ch/index/en/ flpsa.ch]: Lugano to Ponte Tresa: Metre gauge, 1000 V dc. 
 
'''AG Matterhorn Gotthard Bahn'''  [https://www.matterhorngotthardbahn.ch www.matterhorngotthardbahn.ch]: Zermatt to Brig, Andermatt, Göschenen and Disentis/Mustér: Metre gauge, 11 kV, 16.7 Hz, with several sections of Abt rack.
 
'''Ferrovia Monte Generoso'''  [https://www.montegeneroso.ch/en www.montegeneroso.ch]:
Capolago Lago (special workings only) / Capolago-Riva S. Vitale to Generoso Vetta: 800 mm gauge 650 V dc
 
'''Chemin de fer Montreux Oberland Bernois'''  [https://journey.mob.ch/en/ journey.mob.ch]: Montreux to Zweisimmen and Lenk: Metre gauge, 900 V dc.
 
'''Chemin de fer Nyon-St Cergue-Morez'''  [https://www.nstcm.ch/ www.nstcm.ch]: 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'''  [https://www.oebb.ch/ www.oebb.ch]: Balsthal to Oensingen: Standard gauge 15 kV 16.7 Hz.  Passenger services are worked by SBB. 
 
'''Pilatus Bahnen AG'''  [https://www.pilatus.ch/ www.pilatus.ch]: 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'''  [https://www.regionalps.ch/ www.regionalps.ch]: 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. 
 
'''Regionalverkehr Bern-Solothurn AG'''  [https://www.rbs.ch/ www.rbs.ch]:
* 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.
 
'''Rhätische Bahn'''  [https://www.rhb.ch/en/home www.rhb.ch]:
* 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.
 
'''Rigi Bahnen'''  [https://www.rigi.ch/ www.rigi.ch]: Vitznau to Rigi Kulm; Arth-Goldau to Rigi Kulm: 1500 V dc, with Riggenbach rack on both lines.
 
'''Schweizerische Südostbahn'''  [https://www.sob.ch/ www.sob.ch]: 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 operates local trains over some SBB lines in Eastern Switzerland. The company trades as Südostbahn, but the service between Luzern and St Gallen is branded ''Voralpen-Express'', the ''IR'' service between Zürich/Basel and Locarno via the old Gotthard Tunnel is branded ''Treno Gottardo'' and the ''IR'' service between Basel, Zürich and Chur is branded as ''Aare Linth''.
 
'''Sensetalbahn''':  Flamatt to Laupen:  Standard gauge 15 kV 16.7 Hz. The company is owned jointly by SBB (66%) and Swiss Post (34%) and owns the infrastructure on the branch, but maintenance and operation of the infrastructure is contracted to SBB. Trains are operated by BLS. Rail-cycles can be hired throughout the year at Laupen old station for use on the closed railway from there most of the way to Gümmenen. 
 
'''Sihltal-Zürich-Uetliberg Bahn SZU AG'''  [https://www.szu.ch/home www.szu.ch]:
* Zürich HB to Uetliberg: Standard gauge, 15 kV 16.7 Hz (from 22 August 2022. Was 1200 V dc until 26 July 2022).
* Zürich HB to Sihlbrugg:  Standard gauge, 15 kV 16.7 Hz.  There is no regular passenger service between Sihlwald and Sihlbrugg, although occasional steam trains operate through from Zürich.
 
'''Sursee-Triengen-Bahn AG'''  [https://www.sursee-triengen-bahn.ch/infrastruktur/netzzugang.html www.sursee-triengen-bahn.ch]: Sursee to Triengen: Freight only, standard gauge, not electrified.  Occasional steam passenger trains operate. 
 
'''Thurbo AG'''  [https://www.thurbo.ch/ www.thurbo.ch]: A SBB (90%) and Canton Thurgau (10%) joint venture for operation of local trains in north-east Switzerland. 
 
'''Transports de Martigny et Régions SA'''  [https://www.tmrsa.ch/ www.tmrsa.ch]:
* 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. 
 
'''Transports Montreux-Vevey-Riviera'''  [https://mob.ch/ www.mob.ch]:
* 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.
 
'''transN SA''' (Transports Publics Neuchâtelois)  [https://www.transn.ch/  www.transn.ch]:
* Les Brenets to Le Locle; La Chaux-de-Fonds to Les Ponts-de-Martel : Metre gauge, 1500 V dc. Les Brenets to Le Locle was to close in December 2023 for conversion to an electric busway, but this has been deferred until at least the end of the 2020s.
* 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.
 
'''Transports Publics du Chablais'''  [https://tpc.ch/  www.tpc.ch]:
* Aigle to Leysin Grand Hotel: Metre gauge, 1500 V dc, with Abt rack, except between Aigle and Aigle Dépot. To be diverted to Télésiège Tête d’Aï instead of Leysin Grand Hotel by 2030.
* 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 and diverted to Monthey SBB by 2029.
* 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. 
 
'''Transports Publics Fribourgeois Holding (TPF) SA'''  [https://www.tpf.ch/fr/ www.tpf.ch]:
* Bulle to Palézieux and Montbovon: Metre gauge, 800 V dc. 
* Romont to Bulle; Ins to Muntelier; Murten to Givisiez:  Standard gauge, 15 kV 16.7 Hz. 
* Bulle to Broc-Fabrique: Standard gauge 15 kV, 16.7 Hz. Originally metre gauge, 800 V dc; metre gauge last ran April 5 2021. Bulle to Broc Village reopened standard gauge December 11 2022 and Broc Village to Broc Fabrique on August 24 2023
 
'''Transports de la Région Morges-Bière-Cossonay SA'''  [https://www.mbc.ch  www.mbc.ch]: Morges to Bière; Apples to L’Isle-Mont-la-Ville; Bière Jonction to Bière-Casernes (freight only): Metre gauge, 15 kV 16.7 Hz. Also operate open access freight services on the SBB network.
 
'''Travys''' (Transports Vallée du Joux Yverdon-les-Bains Sainte Croix SA)  [https://www.travys.ch/  www.travys.ch]:
* Yverdon to Ste Croix: Metre gauge, 15 kV, 16.7 H z. 
* Chavornay to Orbe:  Standard gauge, 700 V dc but planned to be converted to 15 kV 16.7 Hz by 2025, although this may be delayed.
* Le Pont to Le Brassus:  Standard gauge, 15 kV 16.7 Hz, with through running via CFF to and from Lausanne, joining/splitting from Vallorbe trains at Le Day. 
 
'''Waldenburgerbahn'''  [https://www.blt.ch/ www.blt.ch]: Liestal - Waldenburg: Metre gauge, 1500 V dc. Originally 750 mm gauge, but closed for conversion April 6 2021 and reopened December 11 2022. In 2016 the railway became part of BLT Baselland Transport AG.


* Aare Seeland mobil AG: Biel/Bienne to Ins, Niederbipp to Langenthal and St Urban Ziegelei, Solothurn to Niederbipp. Metre gauge, 1200V dc. [http://www.aare-seeland-mobil.ch www.aare-seeland-mobil.ch]
'''Zentralbahn''' (ZB Zentralbahn AG)  [https://www.zentralbahn.ch/de www.zentralbahn.ch]:  
* Appenzeller Bahnen: Gossau to Appenzell and Wasserauen, St Gallen to Gais and Appenzell, Gais to Altstätten Stadt. Metre gauge, 100V dc. Riggenbach rack at St Gallen, Strub rack on the Altstätten branch. [http://www.appenzellerbahnen.ch www.appenzellerbahnen.ch]
* Luzern to Interlaken Ost and Engelberg: Metre gauge, 15 kV 16.7 Hz with some Riggenbach rack sections.  
* Aigle-Leysin: Aigle to Leysin Grand Hotel. Metre gauge, 1300 V dc. Abt rack Aigle Depot to Leyson Grand Hotel. [http://www.tpc.ch www.tpc.ch]
* Meiringen to Innertkirchen: Metre gauge, 1200 V dc, but may be converted to 15 kV.
* Aigle-Ollon-Monthey-Champery: Monthey to Aigle and to Champery. Metre gauge, 850 V dc. Three sections of Strub rack on the Champery line.  [http://www.tpc.ch www.tpc.ch]
The company is 66% owned by SBB.
* Aigle-Sepey-Les Diablerets: Aigle to Les Diablerets. Metre gauge, 1350 V dc. [http://www.tpc.ch www.tpc.ch]
* Alp Transit Gotthard: This company, which is building the Gottard Base Tunnel, has opened a short branch off the Furka Oberalp line for freight traffic to a work site at Las Rueras, near Segnas. This is metre gauge, 11 kV 16.7 Hz and has Abt rack for most of its length. [http://www.alptransit.ch/en www.alptransit.ch/en]
* Biere-Apples-Morges: Morges to Biere, Apples to L'Isle-Mont-la-Ville. Metre gauge, 15 kV 16.7 Hz. Now included in Transport de la région Morges-Bière-Cossonay (MBC)  [http://www.mbc.ch www.mbc.ch]
* Bremgarten-Dietikon: Wohlen to Bremgarten and Dietikon. Metre gauge, 1200 V dc. Mixed gauge Wohlen to Bremgarten West for freight, and a standard gauge freight only line Wohlen to Villmergen electrified 15 kV 16.7 Hz. [http://www.bdwm.ch www.bdwm.ch]  
* Bergbahn Lauterbrunnen-Murren: Grütschalp to Murren. Metre gauge, 550 V dc. [http://www.jungfraubahn.ch www.jungfraubahn.ch]
* Bern-Lötschberg-Simplon (Lötschbergbahn): Lengnau to Moutier (trains operated by CFF), Bern to Neuchatel and to Schwarzenburg, Bern to Thun via Belp, Spiez to Brig and to Zweisimmen. (From 2004 SBB has worked all long-distance passenger trains between Bern, Interlaken and Brig, and Lötschbergbahn (including wehat was RM) has operated all local services over SBB lines in the Bern area). [http://www.bls.ch www.bls.ch]
* Berner-Oberland-Bahn: Interlaken Ost to Lauterbrunnen, Zweilütschinen to Grindelwald, Wilderswil to Schynige Platte, Kleine Scheidegg to Lauterbrunnen and to Grindelwald. Metre gauge (Schynige Platte and Kleine Scheidegg lines 800 mm) 1500 V dc. Riggenbach rack on all lines except Interlaken Ost to Lutschental and Burglauenen to Schwendi. The Bergbahn Lauterbrunnen-Mürren and the Jungfraubahn are owned by the Berner-Oberland-Bahn. [http://www.jungfraubahn.ch www.jungfraubahn.ch]
* Bodensee-Toggenburg: Romanshorn to St Gallen St Fiden, St Gallen to Wattwil and Nesslau-Neu St Johann. Now merged into Südostbahn. [http://www.suedostbahn.ch www.suedostbahn.ch]
* Bex-Villars-Bretaye: Villars to Bex and to Col-de-Bretaye. Metre gauge, 700 V dc. Abt rack between Villars and Col-de-Bretaye. [http://www.tpc.ch www.tpc.ch]
* Brig-Visp-Zermatt: Brig to Zermatt. Metre gauge, 11 kV, 16.7 Hz. Five sections of Abt rack. Now merged with Furka-Oberalp into Matterhorn-Gotthard Bahn. [http://www.mgbahn.ch www.mgbahn.ch]
* Chemins de fer du Jura: La Chaux-de-Fonds to Glovelier, Le Noirmont to Tavannes, Porrentruy to Bonfol. The Bonfol line is standard gauge, 15 kV 16.7 Hz; the others are metre gauge, 1500 V dc. [http://www.les-cj.ch www.les-cj.ch]
* Dolderbahn: Zürich-Römerhof to Zürich-Dolder. Metre gauge, 600 V dc. Strub rack throughout.
* Ferrovie autolinee regionali ticinesi: Locarno to Camedo (line continues through Italy as Societa Subalpina di Imprese Ferroviarie to Domodossola). Metre gauge, 1200V dc. [http://www.centovalli.ch www.centovalli.ch]
* Forchbahn: Zürich-Rehalp to Esslingen (operates over the Zürich tram system between Rehalp and Stadelhofen). Metre gauge, 1200V dc (600V on the tramway section). [http://www.forchbahn.ch www.forchbahn.ch]
* Ferrovie Lugano-Ponte Tresa: Lugano to Ponte Tresa. Metre gauge, 1000V dc. [http://www.flpsa.ch www.flpsa.ch]
* Furka Oberalp: Brig to Andermatt and Disentis/Muster, Andermatt to Göschenen. Metre gauge, 11kV 16.7Hz. Several sections of Abt rack.  Now merged with Brig-Visp-Zermatt into Matterhorn-Gotthard Bahn. [http://www.mgbahn.ch www.mgbahn.ch]
* Frauenfeld-Wil: Frauenfeld to Wil. Metre gauge, 1200 V dc. [http://www.fw-bahn.ch www.fw-bahn.ch]
* Gornergrat Bahn: Zermatt to Gornergrat. Metre gauge, 750 V 50 Hz three-phase. Abt rack throughout. [http://www.ggb.ch www.ggb.ch]
* Jungfraubahn: Kleine Scheidegg to Jungfraujoch. Metre gauge, 1125 V 50 Hz three-phase. Strub rack throughout. [http://www.jungfraubahn.ch www.jungfraubahn.ch]
* Kriens-Luzern Bahn. Freight only, not electrified. The line Kupferhammer – Krienz is now lifted. The remaining section is operated by SBB.
* Lausanne-Echallens-Bercher: Lausanne-Flon to Bercher. Metre gauge, 1500 V dc. [http://www.leb.ch www.leb.ch]
* Lausanne-Ouchy: Closed and replaced by the Lausanne Metro. [http://www.t-l.ch www.t-l.ch]
* Luzern-Stans-Engelberg Bahn: Hergiswil to Engelberg. Metre gauge, 15 kV 16.7 Hz. Riggenbach rack part of the way from Obermatt to Engelberg. Trains run through to Luzern via the SBB Brünig line. Merged into Zentralbahn with the SBB Brünig line. [http://www.zentralbahn.ch www.zentralbahn.ch]
* Kraftwerk Oberhasli: Meiringen to Innertkirchen. Metre gauge, 1200 V dc. [http://www.grimselstrom.ch www.grimselstrom.ch]
* Montreux-Oberland bernois: Vevey to Les Pleiades, Montreux to Zweisimmen and Lenk, Montreux to Rochers-de-Naye. Metre gauge, 850 V dc. The Rochers-de-Naye line is 800 mm gauge. Strub rack Blonay to Les Pleiades. Abt rack Montreux to Rochers-de-Naye. [http://www.mob.ch www.mob.ch]
* Mittelthurgau Bahn: Konstanz to Weinfelden and Wil. Bankrupt. Assets and traffic transferred to SBB or to Thurbo, a joint venture between SBB and the Thurgau Canton.
* Nyon-St Cergue-Morez: Nyon to La Cure. Metre gauge, 1500 V dc. [http://www.tprnov.ch www.tprnov.ch]
* Orbe-Chavornay: Chavornay to Orbe. 700 V dc. Merged into Travys during 2008. [http://www.travys.ch www.travys.ch]
* Oensingen-Balsthal Bahn: Balsthal to Oensingen. [http://www.oebb.ch www.oebb.ch]
* Pont-Brassus: Le Pont to Le Brassus, operated by CFF with through trains from Lausanne. [http://www.travys.ch www.travys.ch]
* Rigi Bahnen: Vitznau to Rigi Kulm, Arth-Goldau to Rigi Kulm. 1500 V dc. Riggenbach rack on both lines. [http://www.rigi.ch www.rigi.ch]
* Regionalbahn Ostschweiz (Thurbo): An SBB and Canton Thurgau joint venture for operation of local trains in north-east Switzerland. [http://www.thurbo.ch www.thurbo.ch]
* Regionalverkehr Bern-Solothurn: Bern to Solothurn, Worblaufen to Unterzollikofen and to Worb Dorf, Bern Eggholzli to Worb Dorf (now also integrated in the Bern tram system). Metre gauge, 1250 V dc. The Eggholzli line is 600 V dc.
* Regionalverkehr Mittelland: Solothurn to Moutier and to Burgdorf, Burgdorf to Konolfingen and Thun, Hasle-Ruegsau to Langnau, Ramsei to Sumiswald-Grünen, Langenthal to Wolhusen. Freight only branch from Sumiswald-Grünen to Wasen i E. Now merged into BLS Lötschbergbahn.
* Rhätische Bahn: Chur to Arosa, Chur to St Moritz via Thusis, Reichenau-Tamins to Disentis/Muster, Chur to Filisur via Davos, Bever to Scuol-Tarasp, Samedan to Pontresina, St Moritz to Tirano. Metre gauge, 11 kV 16.7 Hz, except St Moritz to Tirano is 1000 V dc. The Italian and Romansch names Ferrovia retica and Viafier retica appear on rolling stock, but the abbreviation 'RhB' is always used. [http://www.rhb.ch www.rhb.ch]
* Rheineck-Walzenhausen: Rheineck to Walzenhausen. 1200 mm gauge, 600 V dc. Now included in Appenzeller Bahnen. [http://www.appenzellerbahnen.ch www.appenzellerbahnen.ch]
* Rorschach-Heiden-Bergbahn: Rorschach to Heiden. Riggenbach rack, except at Rorschach. Now included in Appenzeller Bahnen.
* Schweizerische Südostbahn: Arth-Goldau to Rapperswil, Wädenswil to Samstagern, Biberbrugg to Einsiedeln. Now merged with Bodensee-Toggenburg. [http://www.suedostbahn.ch www.suedostbahn.ch]
* Sursee-Triengen: Sursee to Triengen. Freight only, not electrified
* Sensetalbahn: Flamatt to Laupen (through service to Bern operated jointly with SBB). De-electrified freight line Gümmenen to Laupen, over which occasional steam excursions are operated (by Verein Dampfbahn Bern, Postfach 5841, CH-3001 Bern) and on which rail-cycles can be hired (at Laupen station) throughout the year.
* Sihltal-Zürich-Uetliberg: Zürich Hbf to Uetliberg and to Sihlbrugg via Langnau-Gattikon. However regular passenger services operate only to Sihlwald. The Sihlbrugg line is 15 kV 16.7 Hz, and the Uetliberg line is 1200 V dc. Trains operate over the same tracks in Zürich, so the overhead wire on the Uetliberg line is offset to one side. [http://www.szu.ch www.szu.ch]
* Transport Règionaux Neuchâtelois SA: Les Brenets to Le Locle, La Chaux-de-Fonds to Les Ponts-de-Martel (both metre gauge, 1500 V dc), Buttes to Travers, Fleurier to St Sulpice. The St Sulpice branch is freight only. [http://www.trn.ch www.trn.ch]
* Transports de Martigny et Régions SA: Martigny to Orsieres, Sembrancher to Le Chable, Martigny to Le Chatelard-Frontiere. The Le Chatelard line is metre gauge, 800 V dc. Strub rack between Vernayaz and Salvan. There are through workings over the SNCF line to Chamonix. [http://www.tmrsa.ch www.tmrsa.ch]
* Transports Publics Fribourgeoise (formerly Gruyere-Fribourg-Morat): Palezieux to Bulle and Montbovon, Bulle to Broc Fabrique, Bulle to Romont, Givisiez to Ins. The Ins and Romont lines are standard gauge, 15 kV 16.7 Hz; the others are metre gauge, 800 V dc. [http://www.tpf.ch www.tpf.ch]
* Trogenerbahn: St Gallen to Trogen. Metre gauge, 1000 V dc. Now included in Appenzeller Bahnen. [http://www.appenzellerbahnen.ch www.appenzellerbahnen.ch]
* Vevey-Chexbres: Puidoux-Chexbres to Vevey, operated by CFF and subject to their fare system.
* Voralpen Express: This company is jointly owned by SBB and Schweizerische Südostbahn to manage the train service between Luzern and Romanshorn via Rapperswil and St Gallen.
* Waldenburgerbahn: Liestal - Waldenburg. 750 mm gauge, 1500 V dc.  [http://www.waldenburgerbahn.ch www.waldenburgerbahn.ch]
* Wynetal- und Suhrentalbahn: Aarau to Schöftland and to Menziken-Burg. Metre gauge, 750 V dc. Now labelled AAR. [http://www.aar.ch www.aar.ch]
* Yverdon-Ste Croix: Yverdon to Ste Croix. Metre gauge, 15 kV, 16.7 Hz. [http://www.travys.ch www.travys.ch]
* Zentralbahn: The merged Brünigbahn and Luzern – Stans – Engelberg. [http://www.zentralbahn.ch www.zentralbahn.ch]


==Tourist lines==
==Tourist lines==
Many private railways operate principally for tourists but on a daily basis throughout the year. The following operate with no service for all or part of the winter:
Many railways operate principally for tourists, usually daily throughout the year, but the following are "heritage" operations:
* Brienz-Rothorn-Bahn: Brienz to Brienzer Rothorn. 800 mm gauge. Mostly steam, but some diesel locomotives. Daily service except during winter. [http://www.brienz-rothorn-bahn.ch www.brienz-rothorn-bahn.ch]  
 
* Monte Generoso: Capolago Lago to Generoso Vetta. 800 mm gauge, 650 V dc, Abt rack. Electric operation only. Daily service except during winter. [http://www.montegeneroso.ch www.montegeneroso.ch]  
'''Chemin de fer touristique Blonay-Chamby''': Blonay to Chamby (metre gauge) [https://www.blonay-chamby.ch/index-en.php blonay-chamby.ch]
* Pilatus Bahn: Alpnachstad to Pilatus Kulm. 800 mm gauge, 1550 V dc. Electric operation only. Daily service except during winter. [http://www.pilatus.com www.pilatus.com]
 
'''Dampfbahn Furka Bergstrecke''': Realp to Oberwald (metre gauge) [https://www.dfb.ch dfb.ch]
In addition, there are a number of non-commercial [http://www.psul4all.free-online.co.uk/Swiss-heritage-railways.htm "heritage", "preservation" and "rail cycling" operations].
 
'''Dampfbahn Verein Zürcher Oberland''': Bauma to Hinwil (former SBB line closed to passengers 31.05.1969.) First DVZO train ran from Bauma to Bäretswil May 6 1978 and over the whole line May 13 1979 SBB remained infrastructure owner for the whole line until 2000 when Bauma to Bäretswil was transferred to DVZO ownership. In 2018 Sursee-Triengen took over Bäretswil to Hinwil and maintenance of Bauma to Bäretswil on behalf of DVZO. SBB still operate freight trains to a cement works in Bäretswil [https://dvzo.ch/ dvzo.ch]
 
'''Emmentalbahn''': Sumiswald-Grünen to Huttwil and Wasen im Emmental (BLS Lötschbergbahn lines with no other passenger service) [https://www.emmentalbahn.ch emmentalbahn.ch]
 
'''Sursee-Triengen-Bahn''': Sursee to Triengen ('private' freight-only line) [https://www.sursee-triengen-bahn.ch/infrastruktur/netzzugang.html sursee-triengen-bahn.ch]
 
'''Museumsbahn Stein am Rhein - Etzwilen - Singen''': Etzwilen to Singen (DE). [https://www.etzwilen-singen.ch/ etzwilen-singen.ch]
 
'''Vapeur Val de Travers''': Travers to St Sulpice (there is a regular passenger service by transN between Travers and Fleurier) [https://www.vvt.ch/ vvt.ch]
 
'''Zürcher Museumsbahn''': Zürich-Wiedikon to Sihlbrugg (there is a regular passenger service by Sihltal Zürich Uetlibergbahn between Zürich-Giesshübel and Sihlwald) [https://www.museumsbahn.ch/ museumsbahn.ch]
 
<!---Rail cycling is possible on a number of lines; see the [http://www.draisinenfahrten.de/index.html IG Draisinenfahrten website]. Click on 'International', followed by 'Draisinenlinks' to obtain website details under the heading 'Draisinenstrecken in der Schweiz (CH)' --->
The [https://sinfin.net/railways/world/switz.html Sinfin.net] site has links to most Swiss railways including other museum or tourist railways.


==Metro==
==Metro==
A significant number of local lines around Swiss towns and cities have Metro characteristics. The Metro Ouest, operated by Tramways lausannois [http://www.t-l.ch www.t-l.ch] between Lausanne-Flon and Renens VD is the only metro system designed and built as such. Lausanne also has a full Metro system (the M2) between Ouchy and Epalignes.
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 [https://cartometro.com/metro-lausanne/ Carto.Metro site].


==Trams==
== Trams/LRT-Systems ==
Basel [http://www.bvb-basel.ch www.bvb-basel.ch] (BVB), [http://www.blt.ch www.blt.ch] (BLT: the BLT-operated routes to Ettingen, Dornach and Rodersdorf appear in the railway section of the Offizielles Kursbuch), [http://www.tnw.ch www.tnw.ch]; Bern [http://www.bernmobil.ch www.bernmobil.ch]; Geneve [http://www.tpg.ch www.tpg.ch]; Neuchatel (the route from Place Pury to Boudry appears in the railway section of the Indicateur officiel) [http://www.tnneuchatel.ch www.tnneuchatel.ch]; and Zürich [http://www.vbz.ch 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 [http://www.riffelalp.com www.riffelalp.com].
* Basel  
** BVB (urban routes) [https://www.bvb.ch/en/ www.bvb.ch];
** BLT (long-distance routes) [https://www.blt.ch/ www.blt.ch].
&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; The Basel system extends into France and Germany.
* Bern [https://www.bernmobil.ch/en www.bernmobil.ch];
* Genève [https://www.tpg.ch/fr www.tpg.ch]. The Genève system extends into France;
* Neuchâtel [https://www.transn.ch/ www.transn.ch] (there is only one route, Route 215);
* Zürich [https://www.zvv.ch/zvv/en/home.html www.zvv.ch].
 
All the above tram services appear in the Swiss timetable pages [https://www.xn--v-info-vxa.ch/de/fahrplan-aktuell/fahrplanfelder-abfragen in German] and [https://www.tp-info.ch/fr/horaire-actuel/rechercher-un-tableau-horaire French].
 
Track plans for Basel, Bern and Zürich are available on the [https://www.gleisplanweb.eu/index.php Gleisplanweb site].  
A track plan of the Genève system is available on the [https://cartometro.com/tramway-geneve/ Carto.Metro site].
 
An unusual tramway is Riffelalptram, connecting Riffelalp station on the Gornergratbahn with the [https://www.riffelalp.com/en/welcome/ Riffelalp Resort hotel]. It is 500 m long, located at altitude 2200 m, and is 800 mm gauge and battery-operated. It runs from late June to mid-September only and is shown in [https://www.xn--v-info-vxa.ch/de/fahrplan-aktuell/fahrplanfelder/haltestelle/riffelalp-hotel?s=pv Table 12.580] of the Swiss timetable.
 
See also [[Switzerland_-_Tram_services_over_obscure_routes|Switzerland - Tram services over obscure routes]]


==Recent and Future Changes==
==Recent and Future Changes==


The Swiss federal government has created a new rail infrastructure fund, which SBB has welcomed, and pointed out the urgent need for additional capacity Olten -Zürich. Conversely, many local train services are under review, to see whether bus substitution would be more economic. See [[Switzerland - Services Under Review]]. This could result in stopping services being withdrawn on some main lines, together with closure of secondary lines.
===Recent changes===
   
 
===Projects under way or planned===
====Openings (completely new lines)====
 
The new gauge changer installed at Zweisimmen in 2019 was finally used by through Interlaken Ost - Montreux "Golden Pass" services from 11 December 2022. Through services were suspended from 26 February 2023 after further problems were encountered, but resumed, initially with only one train each way, on 11 June 2023, increasing to two train pairs (out of the three scheduled) from 2 July 2023.
 
A diveunder opened on 12 September 2022 at Bern Wylerfeld, where the lines towards Thun and Olten diverge just short of Bern Wankdorf station. This has permitted the introduction of direct services between Romanshorn, Zürich Flughafen and Interlaken from December 2022, among other service improvements.
 
A new flyover between Prilly-Malley, west of Lausanne, and Renens VD was brought into use on 4 July 2022. It carries Bern – Lausanne – Genève trains over the tracks used by trains between Lausanne and Yverdon-les-Bains. The line between Lausanne and Renens has also been quadrupled throughout.
 
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.
 
The first revenue freight train through the 15.4 km 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 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 (Lancy-Pont-Rouge - Genève Eaux Vives - Annemasse). In the first step, local trains were introduced over part of the La Praille freight branch, to Lancy-Pont-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. For more detail of the Cornavin - Eaux-Vives - Annemasse [CEVA] Project follow [https://www.ceva.ch/ link].
 
====Openings (new lines replacing other lines)====
 
A new approx. 1.4 km section of underground line on the metre-gauge LEB (Lausanne–Echallens–Bercher) line between Lausanne-Chauderon and Union-Prilly was inaugurated on 14 May 2022, with public opening the following day. This replaced the previous route which mainly had on-street running.
 
Following the linking of the Appenzeller and Trogener Bahn lines in St Gallen, a more direct exit route from St Gallen towards Appenzell to the north of the former SBB goods station opened on 25 October 2021, replacing the line to the south, which closed on 18 October. A new tunnel, which replaced the rack-equipped section between St Gallen and Riethüsli, opened on 7 October 2018.
 
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 towards Brugg started using the tunnel on November 2 2020 and those towards Basel on the 6th when the old tunnel closed
 
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.
 
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.
 
====Reopenings after temporary closures====
 
The TPF branch from Bulle to Broc Fabrique reopened fully on 24 August 2023 after having been regauged from metre to standard gauge, and realigned in a few places. It had closed on 6 April 2021 and was reopened as far as Broc-Village on 11 December 2022. Broc Fabrique station was renamed Broc-Chocolaterie on 10 December 2023. There is no longer any rail access to the chocolate factory itself.
 
The former 750mm-gauge line between Liestal and Waldenburg (''Waldenburgerbahn'') reopened on 11 December 2022 after having been converted to metre-gauge. It had been closed since 6 April 2021. A longer-term aspiration is to link this line up with BLT tram route 14 at Pratteln.
 
The TPC-operated Aigle–Sépey–Diablerets (ASD) line reopened on 2 May 2022, having been closed since 30 July 2021 between Exergillod and Les Planches as a result of landslide damage at Les Fontanelles.
 
'''In the "heritage/museum" sector:'''
 
The [https://www.etzwilen-singen.ch/ SEHR preservation group] reopened the last section of the Etzwilen (CH) to Singen (DE) line, the section in Germany between Rielasingen and Singen, with an inaugural day of service over the full cross-border route on 16 August 2020.
 
====Permanent Closures (not replaced by other lines)====
 
Regular services on the sparsely-served 250 m extension of the Ferrovia Monte Generoso from Capolago-Riva S. Vitale to Capolago Lago (KBS 636) ceased after 29 October 2023. The line however remains available for private charters or special workings.
 
A new station came into use at Laupen on 5 April 2021. This is east of the old one, resulting in the branch line becoming slightly shorter.
 
'''In the "heritage/museum" sector:'''
 
[https://www.clubsangottardo.ch/it/ Club del San Gottardo] ceased operations on the cross-border section of their Mendrisio – Stabio – Malnate (IT) line in 2015 as a result of the start of work on the new Stabio – Arcisate regular passenger line, the tourist service operating from then on exclusively in Swiss territory. After a considerable period of inactivity the Club closed the Mendrisio site from 31 December 2020 to concentrate on their "Swiss Railpark" site at Biasca, to where all rolling stock and offices have been transferred. There are no longer any tourist trains on any part of this line.
 
====Temporary closures====
 
Following a serious freight train derailment which blocked the southern end of the Gotthard Base Tunnel on 10 August 2023, the eastern bore reopened on 23 August but for freight traffic only, while the western bore remains closed. Over 7 km of track and concrete trackbed were damaged and have to be replaced. A very limited passenger service resumed through the eastern bore on 29 September 2023. SBB announced in early November 2023 that full service through the tunnel will not resume until September 2024, but an improved passenger service has run through the eastern bore from Fridays to Sundays from 10 December 2023.
 
The cross-border line between Le Locle-Col-des-Roches and Morteau (FR) will be closed between 4 March and 31 October 2024. Replacement buses will operate.
 
The SZU line bewteen Langnau/Gattikon and Sihlwald will be closed to passengers from start of traffic 15.04.2024 until end of traffic 04.12.2024. This is to facilitate the construction of anti flooding measures in the Sihl Valley including a tunnel designed to take surplus water from the area to Lake Zürich. Some of the overhead wires will be removed during the work. Diesel powered spoil trains will still be running as will the Zürcher Museumsbahn steam trains see https://www.egtre.info/wiki/Switzerland_-_Lines_with_Obscure_or_Sparse_passenger_services#Z%C3%BCrich_Wiedikon_%E2%80%93_Z%C3%BCrich_Giessh%C3%BCbel_and_Sihlwald_%E2%80%93_Sihlbrugg
 
====Other changes====
 
A re-sited station at Le Day, between Lausanne and Vallorbe, opened on 16 May 2022. It has been moved 300 metres nearer Vallorbe, from within the V of the junction for the Le Brassus line to the other side of the junction. This is to allow portion working from Lausanne of trains to Vallorbe and Le Brassus, splitting at Le Day.
 
===Future Changes===
 
====Planned Closures====
 
=====Closures expected to go ahead=====
 
Timetable changes effective from December 2024 include the hourly ''IC'' service between St Gallen and Genève Aéroport via Biel/Bienne being diverted to Lausanne, with connections to and from Genève at Renens.  This will result in there being no trains (or a very limited service) via the line between Bussigny and Denges-Echandens.
 
The station at Sihlwald on the SZU line from Zürich is proposed to be relocated 300 m north in 2026, thus closing a short section of the line to regular passenger services. The line beyond the new station is still expected to be used by the Sunday steam specials to Sihlbrugg.


Two cross-border projects are in progress. Work is in progress on the new Mendrisio - Stabio - Arcisio [IT] - Varese line, scheduled for completion in 2013. The Swiss Ministry of Transportation (BAV) has authorised the Swiss side of the extension of tramway line 8 in Basel from Kleinhünigen to Weil am Rhein in Germany.
The rack line from Gais to Altstätten Stadt is planned to be closed in 2035 when the existing rolling stock comes up for replacement, following a review in 2019 by Cantons St Gallen and Appenzell-Ausserrhoden.


TPF intends to build a new line and station at Châtel St Denis, so that trains no longer have to reverse there, but work is not expected to start before 2014. 
=====Closures proposed but not going ahead=====


The Trogenerbahn and the Appenzeller Bahnen lines are to be connected in St Gallen. The work will include a new tunnel which will eliminate the rack-equipped section which climbs out of St Gallen. Work begins in 2014 for completion in 2016.
The metre-gauge branch from Le Locle to Les Brenets was to close in December 2023, with the trackbed being converted to a busway for electric buses. However, 'geological problems' encountered in planning the enlargement of the rail tunnels to accommodate buses have led to the closure being deferred until at least 2031, and possibly later than that, or cancelled altogether. As a result of storm damage on 24 July 2023 the line was closed and replaced by buses, but despite fears that it would remain closed, rail services resumed on 1 November 2023.


The Buechiwald Tunnel, between Zweilütschinen and Lütschental on the BOB, is being replaced by an altogether longer tunnel which is expected to come into use in 2015.  
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 were no reserves for modernisation. However, in June 2019 it was announced that the railway would continue to operate with the existing rolling stock for at least the next 25 years, and in September 2021 a financing package was finally approved by Canton Bern for track and trackbed renewal and refurbishment of the depot at Wilderswil.  


The first breakthrough in the main Gotthard base tunnel occured 15 October 2010. Public operation is planned for 2017, but a start in December 2016 seems possible. The main tunnel drilling work on the Ceneri Base Tunnel (Bellinzona – Lugano) started on 15 February 2008. It is needed together with the Gotthard base tunnel, otherwise the Mount Ceneri with single track section and gradients up to 2.6%, limit the capacity of the Gotthard base tunnel. Operation is planned to start in December 2019.
Following a 2019 review by Cantons Appenzell-Ausserrhoden and St. Gallen, rack line 858 from Rheineck to Walzenhausen was proposed for conversion either to automatic operation or to a cable car. In late 2022 it was decided keep the line as a rack railway and to order an automatic vehicle to operate it. The new unit is due to come into service in 2026.


There are proposals for are new sub-surface stations under Bern HB, first for RBS, later for SBB, a third track to Günlingen and Münsingen, a new tramway line from Ostermündigen to Könitz.
Rack-operated line 857 Rorschach Hafen - Heiden was also reviewed in 2019, and this line will be retained in its current form.


In Geneva, the CEVA project to link Cornavin station with the Eaux Vives to Annemasse branch is slowly progressing. As a first step, local trains were introduced over part of the La Praille freight branch, to a new station at Lancy-Point-Rouge. From here the line will use the existing freight line to Bachet-de-Pesay, beyond which a new line will cross the river Arve then run in tunnel to the French border, at which point the existing line will be used to Annemasse. The new underground line will follow the alignment of the Eaux Vives branch so, to facilitate construction, the branch closed with effect from 28 November 2011 and, after a short period of bustitution, reopened as far as Chene-Bourg, an intermediate station on the Swiss side of the border which had closed in 1987, on 11 December 2011.  This is expected to close again in March 2013.
The Porrentruy – Bonfol line had reportedly been threatened with closure owing to the cost of renewing the signalling and providing universal access, although no actual closure plans were published. In late 2023 it was announced that the line will close between late June and early October 2024 for track renewal, so it would appear that the line is now safe from closure.


Work on the new 9.6 km “Diameter Line” including a four track sub-surface station Löwenstrasse under tracks 4-8 at Zürich HB has started in September 2007. See [http://www.railway-technology.com/projects/zurich_capacity www.railway-technology.com/projects/zurich_capacity] or [http://mct.sbb.ch/mct/infra-infrastruktur_bahnausbauten_dml.pdf mct.sbb.ch/mct/infra-infrastruktur_bahnausbauten_dml.pdf] (in German) or [http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Bahnhof_Löwenstrasse_(Zürich_Hauptbahnhof) Wikipedia : Bahnhof Löwenstrasse (Zürich Hauptbahnhof)] (Pictures). This project includes the sub-surface station and the Weinberg tunnel to Zürich Oerlikon, enabling trains to travel from the West (Zürich Altstetten or the South (Zürich Wiedikon) to continue towards Winterthur/St Gallen without reversal at Zürich HB. This will reduce travel times up to 30 minutes for long distance trains. It is planned for S-bahn (commuter trains) to start in 2013, and for Intercity within two years after this. The extension from Zürich HB to Altstetten started in 2008 and completion is planned for 2015.
====Openings====


The ZB is being dual-tracked between the Haltiwald tunnel and Hergiswil Matt (500 m).
=====New lines under construction=====


The Jungfraubahn have had capacity problems in certain days in summer 2008, and have proposed a 700 m dual track section above the Eigergletscher station.
TPC (Transports Publics du Chablais) are to construct a short (220 m) curve at Les Planches on their metre-gauge Aigle – Le Sepey – Les Diablerets (ASD) line to allow direct running from Aigle to Les Diablerets, therefore avoiding the reversal at Le Sepey. Opening is planned for 2025; after opening, alternate trains will run via the new curve or via Le Sepey.


===Recent changes===
A new 7.7 km-long standard-gauge tramway is under construction between Lausanne-Flon and Croix-du-Péage, north of Bussigny. The first stage of 4.6 km is due to open in mid-2026. It will run to the north of the Lausanne to Renens railway line along the main road between Lausanne and Renens (Rue de Genève and Rue de Lausanne). The second stage of 3.1 km turns north and runs towards Villars-Sainte-Croix and is due to open at the end of 2027. Loops at either end will not be required as double-ended trams have been ordered.


A short extension of the ASm operated metre gauge system, from Niederbipp to Oensingen, opened in December 2012.
=====Alternative lines under construction=====


Berne tramway line 9 was extended to Bern Wankdorf station in 2012.
A new Albulatunnel, on the Rhätische Bahn, is under construction, with services due to start using it on 7 June 2024.  The old tunnel will retained (without rails) for maintenance access and safety evacuation.


The dual-tracking of the Zentralbahn section closest to Luzern was completed in November 2012. This includes a 1,5 km tunnel and a sub-surface station at the sport and exhibition centre. One of the tracks will has dual gauge for standard gauge freight to Horw . However the remains of KLB at Kupferhammer has lost its connection.
The Rhätische Bahn have received approval for a deviaton between Fideris and Küblis. The deviation will be around 1660 metres of which 1400 will be in tunnel. Its purpose is to eliminate curves to increase linespeed from 45 km/h to 90 km/h. Work is scheduled to start in 2027 with the line opening in 2032. Fideris station will be relocated as part of the work and the line distance will be reduced by approximately 160m


The CJ has been re-routed at Glovelier in order to eliminate street-running there. The new line came into use in 2012.  
A new low-level part of Bern station is under construction. This will replace platforms 21-24 which serve the RBS lines via Worblaufen to Worb Dorf and Solothurn. A new line will diverge from the existing line 1.324km south of Bern Felsenau station and lead to the new station, which will have two island platforms and four platform faces. The new line and station are expected to open in mid-2029.


A 3.3km section of double track opened between St Gallen And St Gallen St Fiden on 27 August 2011. On the same day a new flyover opened at St Gallen St Fiden giving access to the Romanshorn line.
A double-track tunnel of 2130 m is under construction as part of a 3.3 km deviation to replace the single-line section between [La Neuveville], Chavanne and Twann, on the line between Neuchâtel and Biel/Bienne. This is the last single-track section on the entire route between Lausanne and Olten. The halt at Ligerz on the current line will close without replacement. The new line was due to open in December 2026 but opening has been postponed until 2029 because of protests and appeals, and new environmental protection requirements.


On 21 April 2011 SBB opened a new section of line through Boniswil on the Lenzburg – Beinwel am See route, avoiding 22 level crossings.
On 26.02.2024 the Swiss Government approved finacing for the completion of the second Lötschberg Base Tunnel. To save money km 14.65 to km 35.22 was built with only one tunnel completed. It is aimed to have full double track operation by 2035


The the Geneva Tramway from Cornavin station to Avanchet opened on 8 December 2007, and was extended to Meyrin-Gravière 13 December 2009. A short section from Cornavin to Coutanche was opened 12 December 2010. The final section to the north-west between Jardin-Alpin and CERN opened on 30 April 2011.
=====New or alternative lines planned=====


The third track Lenzburg – Gexi Jct (the line towards Wohlen was officially opened 27 November 2010.
The TRAVYS operated Chavornay – Orbe branch is planned 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 1.3 km north. Work was intended to commence in summer 2021 for completion in 2023, but legal action from the local authority demanding an underpass instead of a bridge to cross the main road has delayed this project indefinitely.


The last train Aarau - Suhr, using the on-street section ran the night 19/20 November 2010. The new alignment, using the old SBB trackbed was inagurated 21 November.
A 3.3 km diversion of the Romont to Bulle line is planned, in order to remove a number of sharp curves and level crossings.  


The Zentralbahn Engelberg tunnel (Mettlen - Engelberg) opened formally 11 December 2010, with normal traffic the following day. The old, steeper, rack line was closed 7 December.
It is planned to divert the Lugano-Ponte Tresa line of Ferrovie Luganesi via a direct tunnel between Lugano and Bioggio, with the present route via Capella-Agnuzzo closing. This could be completed by 2029.  


The Meiringen - Innertkirchen Bahn has been exteneded into the Zentralbahn station (track 3, a part of which can be energised with either ZB 15kV AC or MIB 1200 V DC) in Meiringen from 6 December 2010.
The <i>Transports Publics du Chablais</i> (tpc) have two projects:
*Monthey-Ville on the Aigle – Monthey – Champéry line is to be closed and the lines serving it diverted to Monthey SBB. The project was suspended in December 2019 following local objections. A revised plan has been published but work is not expected to commence until 2025, with completion in 2030. See this [https://www.aomc2030.ch/ website] for details.
*The Aigle – Leysin line is to be extended by 1140 m in tunnel from the site of the existing Leysin-Village station to a new station at Leysin-Belvédère to serve a ski lift, Télésiège Tête d’Aï. Intermediate stations will be built at Village-Versmont, replacing the current Leysin-Village and Versmont stations, and at Leysin-Centre. The rack line from Leysin-Village to the current terminus of Leysin-Grand Hôtel will be closed, to be replaced by an underground funicular which will run from Leysin Centre Sportif, via an interchange at Leysin-Centre, to Leysin-Grand Hôtel-Feydey. Construction is planned to commence in 2026, with services due to begin in 2030. See the map on the [https://tpc.ch/societe/infrastructure/projets/al-tunnel-et-nouvelles-gares-de-leysin/ tpc website] for details.


The construction of the “Western” tramway in Berne, from the Kaufmännlicher Verband stop on the existing network to Bümplitz and Brünnen station was completed in September 2010, and operation started 12 December 2010.
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:


The third and final section of the Glattal tramway Auzelg – Stettbach station opened 11 December 2010.
*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


The double track between Cham and just outside Rotkreutz opened on 14 December 2008.
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.


The Lausanne Metro M2, Ouchy – Epalignes (Croisettes) was officially opened on 18 September 2008, but due to technical difficulties, did not open for public use until 27 October.
A 22 km metre-gauge link between Innertkirchen and Oberwald (the ''Grimselbahn''), which would be mostly in tunnel including the long (8 km) Grimsel tunnel, but only single track, has been proposed. 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.


The train service between Sumiswald and Affoltern-Weier has been replaced by bus.
===Older Changes===
For details of older changes dating back to the year 2007 see [[Switzerland - Older General Information]].


==Special notes==
==Special notes==
Line 205: Line 416:
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 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 webcam in a SBB Re 460 has moved to [http://www.traincam.ch www.traincam.ch]. However this site seems incomplete, and [http://www.ferrosteph.net www.ferrosteph.net] is recommended as an alternative. Click on the Swiss locomotive on the left side. This site is mainly in french, and all functions do not seem to work.
The European Train Control System, Level 2, incorporating in-cab signalling, is used on the Mattstetten (Bern) to Rothrist (Olten) high-speed line and through the Lötschberg, Gotthard and Ceneri base tunnels. ETCS for the Gotthard base tunnel starts at Brunnen and also goes as far as Erstfeld on the old line. South of the base tunnel ETCS goes as far as Castione-Arbedo and is also in use from a point between Bellinzona and Giubiasco to San Antonino on the Locarno line and between Taverne and Lugano.
 
Lausanne (except the station itself) to Villeneuve also has ETCS as does the line from Lausanne to Brig between km 87.1 and 112.1 (including Sion and Sierre).
 
The only trackside signals on these sections are shunt signals and only trains fitted with ETCS L2 in-cab signalling can operate on them.
 
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==
==See also==
*[[Switzerland]]
*[[Switzerland - Lines with Obscure or Sparse passenger services]]
{{Navbox Switzerland}}
{{Navbox Switzerland}}
[[Category:General Information]]

Latest revision as of 17:13, 22 April 2024

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

  • All services: öv.info.ch (German) tp-info.ch/fr (French) and tp-info.ch/it (Italian). SBB [1] at the top right of the page the user can choose English, German, French or Itlaian. These sites replaced the former fahrplanfelder.ch site in April 2023.

Searches can be made by placename, station or stop name and by table number. All Swiss public transport timetables (SBB/CFF/FFS, other rail operators, tram, bus, Metro, ferry, cable-car, ski lift etc) are available on these sites.

An archive of previous years' timetables back to 2006 is on the new öv.info.ch site here.

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. However, a private publisher still produced the printed volume see Kursbuch but this has now ceased with the 2024 edition due to lack of demand.

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.

A downloadable map shows the lines on which Interrail tickets are valid in Switzerland, either free of further charge or at a reduced rate.

An online validity map shows where Swiss travel passes, including the Day Saver Pass, 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 DB InfraGO AG, the German national railway infrastructure company (formerly DB Netz).

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 gauge changer at Zweisimmen enables through running of dual gauge stock between the metre gauge MOB and the standard gauge BLS. This is the only such installation in Switzerland.

Electrification

Almost all standard gauge lines are electrified at 15 kV 16.7 Hz ac with 11 kV 16.7 Hz ac on the RhB/MGB metre-gauge 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 Aéroport) was electrified on 29.09.1956 at 1500 V dc. This was last used on 14.07.2014 and the line reopened on 25.08.2014 electrified at 25 kV 50 Hz ac for through running by SNCF trains. Very few lines are not electrified, the main exceptions being the steam-worked Brienz Rothorn Bahn, the freight-only Sursee – Triengen and Solothurn – Büren an der Aare lines (the latter de-electrified when closed to passengers on 28.05.1994) and the Etzwilen to Singen (DE) heritage line.

With the electrification of Erzingen (Baden) to Schaffhausen, the only remaining unelectrified section of the Basel to Schaffhausen line within Switzerland is the 2 km 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 completion in 2027; see this DB press release.

Most tramways operate at 750 V dc.

Rule of the road

Left, except for right hand running as follows:

  • on DB InfraGO lines between Basel Bad Bf and the frontiers towards Weil am Rhein and Grenzach
  • on the DB InfraGO line between Erzingen (Baden), Schaffhausen and Thayngen Grenze
  • on the SNCF Réseau line from Mulhouse between St Louis Grenze/Frontière and Basel SBB / Bâle SNCF
  • between Genève and Annemasse (SNCF) which reduces conflicts at La Praille and Annemasse.
  • on double-track sections of the RBS (Regionalverkehr Bern-Solothurn) network
  • on the northern (fast) pair of lines between Zürich Altstetten and the flyover adjacent to RB Limattal (Rangierbahnhof/marshalling yard). The southern (slow) lines have left-hand running. The westbound fast line uses the flyover to cross the other three lines so that west of there the lines are paired by direction with left-hand running.

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 officially closed on 21.03.2012 but the last train was a passenger special on 18.09.2011

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.
  • Frauenfeld to Wil: Metre gauge, 1200 V dc. This line was absorbed into the Appenzeller Bahnen system in 2021.

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 Wasen im Emmental and to Huttwil (freight only to Burghof and Huttwil but with summer tourist operation by Emmentalbahn to Wasen and Huttwil - 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 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 www.zvv.ch: Zürich-Römerhof to Zürich-Dolder: Metre gauge, 600 V dc, with Strub rack throughout. Managed by Verkehrsbetriebe Zürich.

Ferrovie autolinee regionali ticinesi trading as Ferrovia Vigezzina-Centovalli www.vigezzinacentovalli.com: 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).

Gornergrat Bahn www.gornergrat.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.jungfrau.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, 1000 V 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.

Ferrovia Monte Generoso www.montegeneroso.ch: Capolago Lago (special workings only) / Capolago-Riva S. Vitale to Generoso Vetta: 800 mm gauge 650 V dc

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

Chemin de fer Nyon-St Cergue-Morez www.nstcm.ch: 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 www.pilatus.ch: 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 www.regionalps.ch: 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.

Regionalverkehr Bern-Solothurn AG www.rbs.ch:

  • 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.

Rhätische Bahn www.rhb.ch:

  • 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.

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

Schweizerische Südostbahn www.sob.ch: 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 operates local trains over some SBB lines in Eastern Switzerland. The company trades as Südostbahn, but the service between Luzern and St Gallen is branded Voralpen-Express, the IR service between Zürich/Basel and Locarno via the old Gotthard Tunnel is branded Treno Gottardo and the IR service between Basel, Zürich and Chur is branded as Aare Linth.

Sensetalbahn: Flamatt to Laupen: Standard gauge 15 kV 16.7 Hz. The company is owned jointly by SBB (66%) and Swiss Post (34%) and owns the infrastructure on the branch, but maintenance and operation of the infrastructure is contracted to SBB. Trains are operated by BLS. Rail-cycles can be hired throughout the year at Laupen old station for use on the closed railway from there most of the way to Gümmenen.

Sihltal-Zürich-Uetliberg Bahn SZU AG www.szu.ch:

  • Zürich HB to Uetliberg: Standard gauge, 15 kV 16.7 Hz (from 22 August 2022. Was 1200 V dc until 26 July 2022).
  • Zürich HB to Sihlbrugg: Standard gauge, 15 kV 16.7 Hz. There is no regular passenger service between Sihlwald and Sihlbrugg, although occasional steam trains operate through from Zürich.

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

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

Transports de Martigny et Régions SA www.tmrsa.ch:

  • 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.

Transports Montreux-Vevey-Riviera www.mob.ch:

  • 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.

transN SA (Transports Publics Neuchâtelois) www.transn.ch:

  • Les Brenets to Le Locle; La Chaux-de-Fonds to Les Ponts-de-Martel : Metre gauge, 1500 V dc. Les Brenets to Le Locle was to close in December 2023 for conversion to an electric busway, but this has been deferred until at least the end of the 2020s.
  • 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.

Transports Publics du Chablais www.tpc.ch:

  • Aigle to Leysin Grand Hotel: Metre gauge, 1500 V dc, with Abt rack, except between Aigle and Aigle Dépot. To be diverted to Télésiège Tête d’Aï instead of Leysin Grand Hotel by 2030.
  • 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 and diverted to Monthey SBB by 2029.
  • 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.

Transports Publics Fribourgeois Holding (TPF) SA www.tpf.ch:

  • Bulle to Palézieux and Montbovon: Metre gauge, 800 V dc.
  • Romont to Bulle; Ins to Muntelier; Murten to Givisiez: Standard gauge, 15 kV 16.7 Hz.
  • Bulle to Broc-Fabrique: Standard gauge 15 kV, 16.7 Hz. Originally metre gauge, 800 V dc; metre gauge last ran April 5 2021. Bulle to Broc Village reopened standard gauge December 11 2022 and Broc Village to Broc Fabrique on August 24 2023

Transports de la Région Morges-Bière-Cossonay SA www.mbc.ch: Morges to Bière; Apples to L’Isle-Mont-la-Ville; Bière Jonction to Bière-Casernes (freight only): Metre gauge, 15 kV 16.7 Hz. Also operate open access freight services on the SBB network.

Travys (Transports Vallée du Joux Yverdon-les-Bains Sainte Croix SA) www.travys.ch:

  • Yverdon to Ste Croix: Metre gauge, 15 kV, 16.7 H z.
  • Chavornay to Orbe: Standard gauge, 700 V dc but planned to be converted to 15 kV 16.7 Hz by 2025, although this may be delayed.
  • Le Pont to Le Brassus: Standard gauge, 15 kV 16.7 Hz, with through running via CFF to and from Lausanne, joining/splitting from Vallorbe trains at Le Day.

Waldenburgerbahn www.blt.ch: Liestal - Waldenburg: Metre gauge, 1500 V dc. Originally 750 mm gauge, but closed for conversion April 6 2021 and reopened December 11 2022. In 2016 the railway became part of BLT Baselland Transport AG.

Zentralbahn (ZB Zentralbahn AG) www.zentralbahn.ch:

  • Luzern to Interlaken Ost and Engelberg: Metre gauge, 15 kV 16.7 Hz with some Riggenbach rack sections.
  • Meiringen to Innertkirchen: Metre gauge, 1200 V dc, but may be converted to 15 kV.

The company is 66% owned by SBB.

Tourist lines

Many railways operate principally for tourists, usually daily throughout the year, but the following are "heritage" operations:

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

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

Dampfbahn Verein Zürcher Oberland: Bauma to Hinwil (former SBB line closed to passengers 31.05.1969.) First DVZO train ran from Bauma to Bäretswil May 6 1978 and over the whole line May 13 1979 SBB remained infrastructure owner for the whole line until 2000 when Bauma to Bäretswil was transferred to DVZO ownership. In 2018 Sursee-Triengen took over Bäretswil to Hinwil and maintenance of Bauma to Bäretswil on behalf of DVZO. SBB still operate freight trains to a cement works in Bäretswil dvzo.ch

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

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

Museumsbahn Stein am Rhein - Etzwilen - Singen: Etzwilen to Singen (DE). etzwilen-singen.ch

Vapeur Val de Travers: Travers to St Sulpice (there is a regular passenger service by transN between Travers and Fleurier) vvt.ch

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

The Sinfin.net site has links to most Swiss railways including other museum or tourist 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

        The Basel system extends into France and Germany.

All the above tram services appear in the Swiss timetable pages in German and French.

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.

An unusual tramway is Riffelalptram, connecting Riffelalp station on the Gornergratbahn with the Riffelalp Resort hotel. It is 500 m long, located at altitude 2200 m, and is 800 mm gauge and battery-operated. It runs from late June to mid-September only and is shown in Table 12.580 of the Swiss timetable.

See also Switzerland - Tram services over obscure routes

Recent and Future Changes

Recent changes

Openings (completely new lines)

The new gauge changer installed at Zweisimmen in 2019 was finally used by through Interlaken Ost - Montreux "Golden Pass" services from 11 December 2022. Through services were suspended from 26 February 2023 after further problems were encountered, but resumed, initially with only one train each way, on 11 June 2023, increasing to two train pairs (out of the three scheduled) from 2 July 2023.

A diveunder opened on 12 September 2022 at Bern Wylerfeld, where the lines towards Thun and Olten diverge just short of Bern Wankdorf station. This has permitted the introduction of direct services between Romanshorn, Zürich Flughafen and Interlaken from December 2022, among other service improvements.

A new flyover between Prilly-Malley, west of Lausanne, and Renens VD was brought into use on 4 July 2022. It carries Bern – Lausanne – Genève trains over the tracks used by trains between Lausanne and Yverdon-les-Bains. The line between Lausanne and Renens has also been quadrupled throughout.

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.

The first revenue freight train through the 15.4 km 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 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 (Lancy-Pont-Rouge - Genève Eaux Vives - Annemasse). In the first step, local trains were introduced over part of the La Praille freight branch, to Lancy-Pont-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. For more detail of the Cornavin - Eaux-Vives - Annemasse [CEVA] Project follow link.

Openings (new lines replacing other lines)

A new approx. 1.4 km section of underground line on the metre-gauge LEB (Lausanne–Echallens–Bercher) line between Lausanne-Chauderon and Union-Prilly was inaugurated on 14 May 2022, with public opening the following day. This replaced the previous route which mainly had on-street running.

Following the linking of the Appenzeller and Trogener Bahn lines in St Gallen, a more direct exit route from St Gallen towards Appenzell to the north of the former SBB goods station opened on 25 October 2021, replacing the line to the south, which closed on 18 October. A new tunnel, which replaced the rack-equipped section between St Gallen and Riethüsli, opened on 7 October 2018.

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 towards Brugg started using the tunnel on November 2 2020 and those towards Basel on the 6th when the old tunnel closed

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.

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.

Reopenings after temporary closures

The TPF branch from Bulle to Broc Fabrique reopened fully on 24 August 2023 after having been regauged from metre to standard gauge, and realigned in a few places. It had closed on 6 April 2021 and was reopened as far as Broc-Village on 11 December 2022. Broc Fabrique station was renamed Broc-Chocolaterie on 10 December 2023. There is no longer any rail access to the chocolate factory itself.

The former 750mm-gauge line between Liestal and Waldenburg (Waldenburgerbahn) reopened on 11 December 2022 after having been converted to metre-gauge. It had been closed since 6 April 2021. A longer-term aspiration is to link this line up with BLT tram route 14 at Pratteln.

The TPC-operated Aigle–Sépey–Diablerets (ASD) line reopened on 2 May 2022, having been closed since 30 July 2021 between Exergillod and Les Planches as a result of landslide damage at Les Fontanelles.

In the "heritage/museum" sector:

The SEHR preservation group reopened the last section of the Etzwilen (CH) to Singen (DE) line, the section in Germany between Rielasingen and Singen, with an inaugural day of service over the full cross-border route on 16 August 2020.

Permanent Closures (not replaced by other lines)

Regular services on the sparsely-served 250 m extension of the Ferrovia Monte Generoso from Capolago-Riva S. Vitale to Capolago Lago (KBS 636) ceased after 29 October 2023. The line however remains available for private charters or special workings.

A new station came into use at Laupen on 5 April 2021. This is east of the old one, resulting in the branch line becoming slightly shorter.

In the "heritage/museum" sector:

Club del San Gottardo ceased operations on the cross-border section of their Mendrisio – Stabio – Malnate (IT) line in 2015 as a result of the start of work on the new Stabio – Arcisate regular passenger line, the tourist service operating from then on exclusively in Swiss territory. After a considerable period of inactivity the Club closed the Mendrisio site from 31 December 2020 to concentrate on their "Swiss Railpark" site at Biasca, to where all rolling stock and offices have been transferred. There are no longer any tourist trains on any part of this line.

Temporary closures

Following a serious freight train derailment which blocked the southern end of the Gotthard Base Tunnel on 10 August 2023, the eastern bore reopened on 23 August but for freight traffic only, while the western bore remains closed. Over 7 km of track and concrete trackbed were damaged and have to be replaced. A very limited passenger service resumed through the eastern bore on 29 September 2023. SBB announced in early November 2023 that full service through the tunnel will not resume until September 2024, but an improved passenger service has run through the eastern bore from Fridays to Sundays from 10 December 2023.

The cross-border line between Le Locle-Col-des-Roches and Morteau (FR) will be closed between 4 March and 31 October 2024. Replacement buses will operate.

The SZU line bewteen Langnau/Gattikon and Sihlwald will be closed to passengers from start of traffic 15.04.2024 until end of traffic 04.12.2024. This is to facilitate the construction of anti flooding measures in the Sihl Valley including a tunnel designed to take surplus water from the area to Lake Zürich. Some of the overhead wires will be removed during the work. Diesel powered spoil trains will still be running as will the Zürcher Museumsbahn steam trains see https://www.egtre.info/wiki/Switzerland_-_Lines_with_Obscure_or_Sparse_passenger_services#Z%C3%BCrich_Wiedikon_%E2%80%93_Z%C3%BCrich_Giessh%C3%BCbel_and_Sihlwald_%E2%80%93_Sihlbrugg

Other changes

A re-sited station at Le Day, between Lausanne and Vallorbe, opened on 16 May 2022. It has been moved 300 metres nearer Vallorbe, from within the V of the junction for the Le Brassus line to the other side of the junction. This is to allow portion working from Lausanne of trains to Vallorbe and Le Brassus, splitting at Le Day.

Future Changes

Planned Closures

Closures expected to go ahead

Timetable changes effective from December 2024 include the hourly IC service between St Gallen and Genève Aéroport via Biel/Bienne being diverted to Lausanne, with connections to and from Genève at Renens. This will result in there being no trains (or a very limited service) via the line between Bussigny and Denges-Echandens.

The station at Sihlwald on the SZU line from Zürich is proposed to be relocated 300 m north in 2026, thus closing a short section of the line to regular passenger services. The line beyond the new station is still expected to be used by the Sunday steam specials to Sihlbrugg.

The rack line from Gais to Altstätten Stadt is planned to be closed in 2035 when the existing rolling stock comes up for replacement, following a review in 2019 by Cantons St Gallen and Appenzell-Ausserrhoden.

Closures proposed but not going ahead

The metre-gauge branch from Le Locle to Les Brenets was to close in December 2023, with the trackbed being converted to a busway for electric buses. However, 'geological problems' encountered in planning the enlargement of the rail tunnels to accommodate buses have led to the closure being deferred until at least 2031, and possibly later than that, or cancelled altogether. As a result of storm damage on 24 July 2023 the line was closed and replaced by buses, but despite fears that it would remain closed, rail services resumed on 1 November 2023.

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 were no reserves for modernisation. However, in June 2019 it was announced that the railway would continue to operate with the existing rolling stock for at least the next 25 years, and in September 2021 a financing package was finally approved by Canton Bern for track and trackbed renewal and refurbishment of the depot at Wilderswil.

Following a 2019 review by Cantons Appenzell-Ausserrhoden and St. Gallen, rack line 858 from Rheineck to Walzenhausen was proposed for conversion either to automatic operation or to a cable car. In late 2022 it was decided keep the line as a rack railway and to order an automatic vehicle to operate it. The new unit is due to come into service in 2026.

Rack-operated line 857 Rorschach Hafen - Heiden was also reviewed in 2019, and this line will be retained in its current form.

The Porrentruy – Bonfol line had reportedly been threatened with closure owing to the cost of renewing the signalling and providing universal access, although no actual closure plans were published. In late 2023 it was announced that the line will close between late June and early October 2024 for track renewal, so it would appear that the line is now safe from closure.

Openings

New lines under construction

TPC (Transports Publics du Chablais) are to construct a short (220 m) curve at Les Planches on their metre-gauge Aigle – Le Sepey – Les Diablerets (ASD) line to allow direct running from Aigle to Les Diablerets, therefore avoiding the reversal at Le Sepey. Opening is planned for 2025; after opening, alternate trains will run via the new curve or via Le Sepey.

A new 7.7 km-long standard-gauge tramway is under construction between Lausanne-Flon and Croix-du-Péage, north of Bussigny. The first stage of 4.6 km is due to open in mid-2026. It will run to the north of the Lausanne to Renens railway line along the main road between Lausanne and Renens (Rue de Genève and Rue de Lausanne). The second stage of 3.1 km turns north and runs towards Villars-Sainte-Croix and is due to open at the end of 2027. Loops at either end will not be required as double-ended trams have been ordered.

Alternative lines under construction

A new Albulatunnel, on the Rhätische Bahn, is under construction, with services due to start using it on 7 June 2024. The old tunnel will retained (without rails) for maintenance access and safety evacuation.

The Rhätische Bahn have received approval for a deviaton between Fideris and Küblis. The deviation will be around 1660 metres of which 1400 will be in tunnel. Its purpose is to eliminate curves to increase linespeed from 45 km/h to 90 km/h. Work is scheduled to start in 2027 with the line opening in 2032. Fideris station will be relocated as part of the work and the line distance will be reduced by approximately 160m

A new low-level part of Bern station is under construction. This will replace platforms 21-24 which serve the RBS lines via Worblaufen to Worb Dorf and Solothurn. A new line will diverge from the existing line 1.324km south of Bern Felsenau station and lead to the new station, which will have two island platforms and four platform faces. The new line and station are expected to open in mid-2029.

A double-track tunnel of 2130 m is under construction as part of a 3.3 km deviation to replace the single-line section between [La Neuveville], Chavanne and Twann, on the line between Neuchâtel and Biel/Bienne. This is the last single-track section on the entire route between Lausanne and Olten. The halt at Ligerz on the current line will close without replacement. The new line was due to open in December 2026 but opening has been postponed until 2029 because of protests and appeals, and new environmental protection requirements.

On 26.02.2024 the Swiss Government approved finacing for the completion of the second Lötschberg Base Tunnel. To save money km 14.65 to km 35.22 was built with only one tunnel completed. It is aimed to have full double track operation by 2035

New or alternative lines planned

The TRAVYS operated Chavornay – Orbe branch is planned 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 1.3 km north. Work was intended to commence in summer 2021 for completion in 2023, but legal action from the local authority demanding an underpass instead of a bridge to cross the main road has delayed this project indefinitely.

A 3.3 km diversion of the Romont to Bulle line is planned, in order to remove a number of sharp curves and level crossings.

It is planned to divert the Lugano-Ponte Tresa line of Ferrovie Luganesi via a direct tunnel between Lugano and Bioggio, with the present route via Capella-Agnuzzo closing. This could be completed by 2029.

The Transports Publics du Chablais (tpc) have two projects:

  • Monthey-Ville on the Aigle – Monthey – Champéry line is to be closed and the lines serving it diverted to Monthey SBB. The project was suspended in December 2019 following local objections. A revised plan has been published but work is not expected to commence until 2025, with completion in 2030. See this website for details.
  • The Aigle – Leysin line is to be extended by 1140 m in tunnel from the site of the existing Leysin-Village station to a new station at Leysin-Belvédère to serve a ski lift, Télésiège Tête d’Aï. Intermediate stations will be built at Village-Versmont, replacing the current Leysin-Village and Versmont stations, and at Leysin-Centre. The rack line from Leysin-Village to the current terminus of Leysin-Grand Hôtel will be closed, to be replaced by an underground funicular which will run from Leysin Centre Sportif, via an interchange at Leysin-Centre, to Leysin-Grand Hôtel-Feydey. Construction is planned to commence in 2026, with services due to begin in 2030. See the map on the tpc website for details.

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 link between Innertkirchen and Oberwald (the Grimselbahn), which would be mostly in tunnel including the long (8 km) Grimsel tunnel, but only single track, has been proposed. 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.

Older Changes

For details of older changes dating back to the year 2007 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 Mattstetten (Bern) to Rothrist (Olten) high-speed line and through the Lötschberg, Gotthard and Ceneri base tunnels. ETCS for the Gotthard base tunnel starts at Brunnen and also goes as far as Erstfeld on the old line. South of the base tunnel ETCS goes as far as Castione-Arbedo and is also in use from a point between Bellinzona and Giubiasco to San Antonino on the Locarno line and between Taverne and Lugano.

Lausanne (except the station itself) to Villeneuve also has ETCS as does the line from Lausanne to Brig between km 87.1 and 112.1 (including Sion and Sierre).

The only trackside signals on these sections are shunt signals and only trains fitted with ETCS L2 in-cab signalling can operate on them.

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

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