Switzerland - General Information
Country Name
Switzerland (Suisse/Schweiz/Svizzera)
National Railway System
Schweizerische Bundesbahnen AG (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. A few lines in Switzerland are owned by Deutsche Bahn AG, the German national railway.
Language
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
Swiss franc
UIC code
numeric 85; alpha CH
Timetable
Journey Planner
Downloadable Timetable
- SBB: www.fahrplanfelder.ch/en
- Lausanne metro: www.t-l.ch
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 www.fahrplancenter.ch (in German only).
Engineering Information
- Permanent timetable amendments: www.fahrplanfelder.ch/en/permanent-amendments
- Temporary timetable amendments: www.fahrplanfelder.ch/en/temporary-amendments
- Information on disruptions: mct.sbb.ch/mct/en/reisezeit/fahrplan_ereignisfall/fahrplan_verkehrsinfo.htm
Maps
SBB's "Schweiz 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. There is a map of the Swiss railway network on the SBB site at mct.sbb.ch/mct/netzkarte_schweiz.pdf.
A very good atlas has been published by Schweers + Wall in Germany. Eisenbahnatlas Schweiz, ISBN 3-89494-122-7, is already 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. Track plans for RhB (ISBN 3-89494-101-4) and MGB (ISBN 3.89494) have been published by Schweers+Wall. A large part of the country can be seen at www.sporenplan.nl.
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 three lines.
Electrification
Most standard gauge lines are electrified at 15 kV 16.7 Hz, with 11 kV 16.7 Hz on the RhB/MGB system. Various systems are used by other railways, including low voltage dc. The CFF line from 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
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.
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.
Aare Seeland mobil AG: Biel/Bienne to Ins, Niederbipp to Langenthal and St Urban Ziegelei, Solothurn to Niederbipp. Metre gauge, 1200V dc. www.aare-seeland-mobil.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. www.appenzellerbahnen.ch Aigle-Leysin: Aigle to Leysin Grand Hotel. Metre gauge, 1300 V dc. Abt rack Aigle Depot to Leyson Grand Hotel. www.tpc.ch Aigle-Ollon-Monthey-Champery: Monthey to Aigle and to Champery. Metre gauge, 850 V dc. Three sections of Strub rack on the Champery line. www.tpc.ch Aigle-Sepey-Les Diablerets: Aigle to Les Diablerets. Metre gauge, 1350 V dc. 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. Biere-Apples-Morges: Morges to Biere, Apples to L'Isle-Mont-la-Ville. Metre gauge, 15 kV 16.7 Hz. www.lebam.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. Bergbahn Lauterbrunnen-Murren: Grütschalp to Murren. Metre gauge, 550 V dc. 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). 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. www.jungfraubahn.ch Bodensee-Toggenburg: Romanshorn to St Gallen St Fiden, St Gallen to Wattwil and Nesslau-Neu St Johann. Now merged into Südostbahn. 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. 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. 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. www-cj-transports.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. 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). www.forchbahn.ch Ferrovie Lugano-Ponte Tresa: Lugano to Ponte Tresa. Metre gauge, 1000V dc. 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. www.mgbahn.ch Frauenfeld-Wil: Frauenfeld to Wil. Metre gauge, 1200 V dc. www.fw-bahn.ch Gornergrat Bahn: Zermatt to Gornergrat. Metre gauge, 750 V 50 Hz three-phase. Abt rack throughout. www.ggb.ch Jungfraubahn: Kleine Scheidegg to Jungfraujoch. Metre gauge, 1125 V 50 Hz three-phase. Strub rack throughout. 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. www.leb.ch Lausanne-Ouchy: Closed and replaced by the Lausanne Metro. 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. www.zentralbahn.ch Kraftwerk Oberhasli: Meiringen to Innertkirchen. Metre gauge, 1200 V dc. 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. 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. www.tprnov.ch Orbe-Chavornay: Chavornay to Orbe. 700 V dc. www.uo-oc.ch Merged into Travys during 2008. Oensingen-Balsthal Bahn: Balsthal to Oensingen. www.oebb.ch Pont-Brassus: Le Pont to Le Brassus, operated by CFF with through trains from Lausanne. www.travys.ch Rigi Bahnen: Vitznau to Rigi Kulm, Arth-Goldau to Rigi Kulm. 1500 V dc. Riggenbach rack on both lines. www.rigi.ch Regionalbahn Ostschweiz (Thurbo): An SBB and Canton Thurgau joint venture for operation of local trains in north-east Switzerland. www.thurbo.ch Regionalverkehr Bern-Solothurn: Bern to Solothurn, Worblaufen to Unterzollikofen and to Worb Dorf, Bern Eggholzli to Worb Dorf (also operates over the Bern tram system between Eggholzli and Zytglogge). 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 Huttwil (limited traffic Affoltern-Weier – Huttwil, see CH09/5), 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. www.rhb.ch Rheineck-Walzenhausen: Rheineck to Walzenhausen. 1200 mm gauge, 600 V dc. www.ar-bergbahnen.ch. Now included in Appenzeller Bahnen. Rorschach-Heiden-Bergbahn: Rorschach to Heiden. Riggenbach rack, except at Rorschach. www.ar-bergbahnen.ch. Now included in Appenzeller Bahnen. Schweizerische Südostbahn: Arth-Goldau to Rapperswil, Wädenswil to Samstagern, Biberbrugg to Einsiedeln. Now merged with Bodensee-Toggenburg. 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. 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. 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. 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. Trogenerbahn: St Gallen to Trogen. Metre gauge, 1000 V dc. www.trogenerbahn.ch. Now included in Appenzeller Bahnen. 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. Wynetal- und Suhrentalbahn: Aarau to Schöftland and to Menziken-Burg. Metre gauge, 750 V dc. Now labelled AAR. www.aar.ch Yverdon-Ste Croix: Yverdon to Ste Croix. Metre gauge, 15 kV, 16.7 Hz. www.travys.ch Zentralbahn: The merged Brünigbahn and Luzern – Stans – Engelberg. www.zentralbahn.ch
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:
- Brienz-Rothorn-Bahn: Brienz to Brienzer Rothorn. 800 mm gauge. Mostly steam, but some diesel locomotives. Daily service except during winter. 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. www.montegeneroso.ch
- Pilatus Bahn: Alpnachstad to Pilatus Kulm. 800 mm gauge, 1550 V dc. Electric operation only. Daily service except during winter. www.pilatus.com
In addition, there are a number of non-commercial "heritage" or "preservation" operations.
Metro
A significant number of local lines around Swiss towns and cities have Metro characteristics. The Metro Ouest, operated by Tramways lausannois 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.
Trams
Basel www.bvb-basel.ch (BVB), www.blt.ch (BLT: the BLT-operated routes to Ettingen, Dornach and Rodersdorf appear in the railway section of the Offizielles Kursbuch), www.tnw.ch; Bern www.bernmobil.ch; Geneve www.tpg.ch; Neuchatel (the route from Place Pury to Boudry appears in the railway section of the Indicateur officiel) www.tnneuchatel.ch; and Zürich www.vbz.ch. Part of the line from Basel to Rodersdorf runs through France. An unusual tramway is Riffelalptram, connecting the Riffelalp Resort hotel and the Riffelalp station (GGB). It is 500 m long, located on altitude 2200 m, has 800 mm gauge and is battery-operated www.riffelalp.ch.
Recent and Future Changes
Boncourt - Delle was closed in 1996 but repopened to passenger traffic in December 2006.
Sihltal – Zürich – Uetlibergbahn opened a new section of dual track between Zürich Giesshübel and Saalsporthalle 15 March 2007, including a new halt at Saalsporthalle.
RBS opened a new section of dual track between Worblaufen and Papiermühle in August 2007. Together with the in sommer 2006 opened dual track section between Ittigen and Bolligen this forms a dual track section, except for a 100 section close to the station Ittigen.
The WAB announced late in 2007 that the old line Wittimatte – Wengen would be lifted. It was taken out of service, and not used during the 2008 Jungfrau Marathon.
The main elements of AlpTransit are new Gotthard and Lötschberg base tunnels and upgrading the Brig to Geneve line. Work has progressed on the 57 km Gotthard tunnel and operation is planned to start late in 2017. The Lötschberg base tunnel opened for limited traffic on 15 June 2007, and for full traffic on 9 December 2007.
Matterhorn-Gotthardbahn has rebuilt the exit from Brig station towards Andermatt. The new line joins the existing line east of the station near Bitsch, and the section passing Naters has been lifted. This was opened on 9 December 2007.
It is planned to extend the Genève Eaux Vives branch to La Praille, allowing trains to run to the main station, and as a first step, local trains operate Genève Cornavin – Lancy-Point-Rouge, in the freight yard. A third track on the section Genève Cornavin – Coppet was completed in December 2004.
The high-speed line Matstetten – Rothrist (Bern – Olten) was opened at the timetable change, 12 December 2004. At the same time the connecting links Solothurn – Rothrist (Gieshübel Tunnel), and the direct curve Rothrist – Zofingen were opened. The line from Solothurn is mainly an upgrade of the closed line Solothurn – Herzogenbuchsee. The old line is removed between Inkwil and north of Herzogebuchsee. The lines (Lenzburg -) Gruemet Jn – Dättwil – Wettingen and Aarau – Buchs AG – Suhr were closed to passenger traffic. The former will be retained for freight and diversions, the latter has transferred to AAR (ex WSB) and is being rebuilt to metre gauge.
The S-bahn Bern was extended, also the same date. SBB and BLS have exchanged staff, duties and equipment to fit the new plan, where BLS holds the main responsibility for S-bahn Bern. The BLS (former RM) line Affoltern-Weier – Huttwil now only sees limited service (see CH09/5).
The Geneva tramway was extended from Cornavin station to Place des Nation (United Nations) om 14 December 2003, and from Plainpalais to Lancy-Pont-Rouge on 12 December 2004. This line was extended to Palettes and the existing line there on 13 May 2006. The first section of the TCMC line from Cornavin station to Les Avachets opened on 8 December 2007, it is planned to reach Meyrin in autumn 2009 and CERN in autumn 2010.
The double track between Cham and just outside Rotkreutz opened on 14 December 2008.
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 third track has been authorised Lenzburg – Gexi Jct (the line towards Wohlen), planned for completion in December 2010.
The work on the new Engelberg tunnel, which has been delayed by to much water within the mountain, is now planned for completion in December 2011, provided this winter is suitably cold and long.
The first section of the Glattal tramway Messe/Hallenstadion (VBZ) – Auzelg opened on 10 December 2006, the second Oerlikon(VBZ) – Zürich Flughafen(Airport) Freight area on 14 December 2008. The third section Auzelg – Stettbach station is planned to open on December 2010.
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 www.railway-technology.com/projects/zurich_capacity or mct.sbb.ch/mct/infra-infrastruktur_bahnausbauten_dml.pdf (in German) or commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category: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.
The dual-tracking of the Zentralbahn section closest to Luzern started in December 2008. This includes a 1,5 km tunnel and a sub-surface station at the sport and exhibition centre. One of the tracks will have dual gauge for standard gauge freight to Horw . However the remains of KLB at Kupferhammer will lose its connection. This project is planned for completion in 2013. Another dual track section to be built on ZB is between the Haltiwald tunnel and Hergiswil Matt (500 m), where construction is to start in 2011.
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.
The “Western” tramway in Berne is under construction (see www.trambernwest.ch), from the Kaufmännlicher Verband stop on existing line 5 to Bümplitz and Brünnen station, replacing trolleybus # 13 and 14. Planned start is late (probably December) 2010.
The Berne Canton have also made their plans for 2010-2013 public: Tramway line 9 is to be extended to Bern Wankdorf station (2012). The narrow gauge line Niederbipp – Oensingen is to be reopened (2011). However Sumiswald – Affoltern-Weier is suggested to be replaced by bus. Trains will be retained on other lines, for example Zweisimmen – Lenk. Further away on the horizon 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.
The Rhätische Bahn built a 2 km dual track at Untervaz (opened 2007) and extended the dual track from Schiers to Fuchsenwinkel (1,2 km). This gives a total of 4 km dual track (Grüsch – Fuchsenwinkel). Scoul-Tarasp will be without trains from April to November 2009, because of the renovation of the Tasna tunnel. During this time the Scoul-Tarasp station area will be upgraded as well.
The Swiss Ministry of Transportation (BAV) has authorised the Swiss side of the projects : Mendrisio – Stabio – Acisate – Varese (-Malpensa) and the extension of tramway line 8 in Basel from Kleinhünigen to Weil am Rhein in Germany.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Explanations in English of Swiss (and Austrian) railway signalling can be found at web.utanet.at/smiderkr/.
The webcam in a SBB Re 460, which has been available at www.myswitzerland.com for some years, was removed from this site late January 2005, but was restored within a month. It has been possible to view it late 2008 using the direct link below, but it has not been seen in operation during 2009. When in operation, it normally shows a new picture every 15 minutes, when there is daylight. www.myswitzerland.com/en/loco/lok.cfm
