Switzerland Trip Report 5-6th August SBB (BLM)

With the impressive mountain background of the Mönch and Jungfrau mountains, BDe4/4 railcar 31 makes its short journey from Grütschalp to Mürren, complete with freight wagon carrying luggage. 05/08/2024.

BDe4/4 31 approaches the delightfully named 
middle station at Winteregg. 05/08/2024.

Introduction:

This years Swiss trip in May had some challenges- the weather was somewhat below par, but one of the biggest disappointments for me was that the meter gauge Bergbahn Lauterbrunnen–Mürren (BLM) with it's 1967 vintage railcars was closed for engineering work for the duration of the trip. I had been very keen to visit the line before the old railcars were replaced this summer, but with the line closure and introduction of the new trains set for July it looked like it was going to just be one of those things that wasn't going to happen.

When I received some information that in late summer the old railcars were still working, and with a couple of free days, a good weather forecast and some last minute flights which weren't extortionate a plan was hatched to give the BLM another go- having checked it was running this time! With less than 48 hours until take off a very short notice trip was hatched!

Monday 5th August:

BDe4/4 31 is again seen near Winteregg. Unlike the other railcars, 31 was built for the Oberaargau-Jura-Bahn and joined the BLM fleet in 2010. 05/08/2024.

It was an early start to drive down to Gatwick for my 06:30 flight to Geneva. Gatwick airport was running very efficiently and I managed to spend just 30 mintues in the terminal before stepping onto the plane! Despite a risk of delay on the tarmac arrival was slightly early in Geneva and after a quick passage through passport control I found I could make a slightly earlier train that I had planned. Unfortunately the train was a Twindexx as opposed to an IC2000 set which I was hoping for, but with a clear objective for the day I didn't want to hang around and headed straight for the Alps via Bern, changing to a loco set on to Interlaken. Having enjoyed a beer in the restaurant car it was a quick change onto the busy train up to Lauterbrunnen from where the BLM was finally in sight! 

The new order- Be4/6 102 'Mönch' is seen between Grütschalp and Winteregg. 05/08/2024.

At Lauterbrunnen one changes to a [very crowded] cable car up the mountain to Grütschalp to join the meter gauge train for the final journey to the car-free town of Mürren. I wasn't sure how much activity there would be from the old railcars on the line, other than a mixed service with both the old BDe4/4 and, most likely one of the new Be4/6 sets. I was therefore pretty pleased to see the cream and brown colours of BDe4/4 31 sitting in the station. I took the unit all the way through to Mürren (partly because it was too crowded to get out from my seat at the intermediate stop of Winteregg!). On the way we passed the new unit, Be4/6 102 before pulling into Mürren alongside BDe4/4 21 which pulled out upon our arrival, the line operating a 15 minute interval service for the bussiest period of the day. 

These three units would form the service for the duration of my trip, with the second new unit 101 staying within the shed at Grütschalp, the final BDe4/4 23 was stabled outside the shed, with the withdrawn heritage unit 11 under a tarpaulin around the back of Grütschalp station. 

During the 15 minute interval service trains would sometimes turn straight around at the termial station, while sometimes a second unit was already loaded and ready to leave. The journey along the line is timetabled to take 13 mintues giving just a 2 minute turn around at each end. Adding to the complexity of the operation is the fact that most trains convey a freight wagon at the north end which conveys most goods which required at Mürren which has very limited road access. Goods is lifted under the cable car and transfered to the train by a clever fork lift truck arrangement. 

In the very last of the days light before the sun dipped behind the mountains, Bed4/4 31 is seen heading downhill to Grütschalp as a herd of cows move back to their pasture. The drone showing the scale of the landscape against the diminiuitive EMU. 05/08/2024. 

To my surprise when the service thinned out to half hourly around 17:00 it was the new unit which was first to return to the shed leaving 21 and 31 to operate the evening service. Aside from around 90 minutes in the afternoon where a cloud clung to the mountainside and cast a shadow over the line it was an excellent afternoon of photography on the open section of the line between Winteregg and Grütschalp though as is often the case the light was lost quite early dipping behind the mountains. 

After dinner in Mürren it was quite a hike to my accommodation, a dormitory bed (since I had booked so late) high above the town at Sonnenburg Dormitories. While the hike was tireing there was a beer available on arrival and the views of the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau mountains catching the pink light of the setting sun was quite spectacular. Sleep was delayed trying to catch some photographs of the stunning stary sky with some of my roomates.

Tuesday 6th August:

BDe4/4 21 works uphill towards Winteregg. 06/08/2024.

I woke to a beautiful morning in the mountains, with the sun popping out from behind the Jungfrau around 0700 it was time to head back to the railway. I had initially thought that if I had done well for BLM photos the day before I would head straight to some other locations, but since conditions were so good, and the service had again started with the two older railcars, it would be foolish not to spend an hour or so more in the mountains with them. 

A few more pictures in the bag, and with 102 now coming out to play, it was time to leave the BLM behind to try some other Swiss locations. There was a lot of mileage to cover today since my next spot was towards Neuchâtel on the banks of the Bielersee, travelling again by way of Interlarken, Bern and Biel. I settled on Ligerz to attempt some photography, this is the last single line section of the Southern Jura railway which is due to be by-passed by a tunnel before the end of the decade. The line is busy and also a good place to catch older SBB Re4/4 and Re6/6 working freight trains. Armed with train graphs for the route and my drone it was a case of launching when I believed a train was approaching and hoping it would appear without wasting too much of my battery! Several freight services were captured before it was time to move on again to my final location of the trip. 

An SBB Cargo Re6/6 passes Ligerz with a westbound freight. 06/08/2024.

This was the final week of a summer partial block of the Hauestein Base Tunnel between Basel and Olten which meant that some northbound trains were using the old normally unit-only line via Läufelfingen. 

A train of EW IV stock is pushed over the viaduct at Rümlingen with a diverted IC service. 06/08/2024.

Two passenger trains per hour, the IC6 from Bring and IC61 from Interlarken worked by Re460's were using the route but the real hope was to catch a diverted freight train over the viaduct at Rümlingen. First I wanted to travel over the line, which despite a 20 minute delay on my train from Biel to Olten was achieved. I then got to my location using the rail replacement bus from Sissach (the local service being withdrawn to release capacity for the diverted trains). By the time I arrived I had little over an hour to achieve my aims, and in this time saw two Intercity sets, both pushed by Re460's, but my hope of seeing a loco leading a train was at least realised by the one freight train which passed, led by more traditional traction in the shape of Re6/6 11619. I was very pleased to have achieved what I came for, and now just had to get to Basel airport for my flight home. Even if I had more time here the shadows from the hills were rapidly encroaching much earlier than I had expected. 

Re6/6 11619 crosses the viaduct at Rümlingen with a bulk freight. Graidents on this line mean that it is very unusual for freight trains to be routed this way under normal conditions. 06/08/2024.

EasyJet delievered me home less than 10 minutes late to conclude what really had been a very sucessful and enjoyable couple of days in Switzerland. 

Conclusion:

A Swiss tilting ICN set passes the vinyards on the shores of the Bielersee. 06/08/2024.

The aim of the BLM is to operate their full service with two out of the three Be4/6 units, an increased line speed allowing the turn arounds to be achieved more comfortably. Once there are two units working successfully the BDe4/4's will surely rapidly loose their work, so time really is running out to see these traditinal railcars.

It was good to try some new Swiss locations, and with orders now progressing for Cargo locos to replace the Re4/4 and Re6/6 fleets which are reaching the end of their lives I expect some future trips to focus on capturing more of these attractive locomotives.

The drone affords a view of the loco on the rear of a diverted EW IV set at Rümlingen. 06/08/2024.

SBB ZB Trip Report 23-26th May 2024

With lake Thun to one side, and the Swiss alps beyond, the spot at Einigen has to be one of the best railway views in Switzerland. Re460 078 pushes an IC set towards Spiez. 25/05/2024.

Thursday 23^rd May-

The single railcar of the Le Locle - Les Brenets
railway at its destination. 23/05/2024.

Arrival into Basel was technically the previous night, but with a slight delay to the flight we were pleased to make the penultimate 50 bus from the airport to the city in the early hours.

The weather forecast for today was dreadful. Plan A had been to stand in fields photographing freight trains around Arth-Goldau, but that was quickly abandoned. It was actually something of a surprise that the day dawned dry but it certainly wasn’t going to be standing in a field weather. We made our way with 460 023 to Olten to watch the trains for a bit, at which point it did begin to rain.

Chermin de fer du Jura at Tavannes. 23/05/2024

Not particularly being number takers, this activity didn’t keep us interested for long and the decision was made to ‘colour in’ some track in areas that we had not travelled before. Heading from Olten by way of Biel to Le Choix du Fondes the target was to traverse some of the lines of Chermin de fer de Jura, but first there was a distraction as we headed further west to Le Locle, since there wasn’t immediately a Jura train. From here it was impossible to pass up the short meter gauge to Le Brenets, even though the 8 minute journey would set our Jura plan back by 2 hours due to service gaps.

We were pleased to see that the stock was a nice vintage single car unit, and that while stuck at Les Brenets a bar was available for a quick lunchtime beer. Back on the train to ride back to Le Locle we did a bit of research and realised that the line is very much under threat- due to be closed this year (or was it last?) and converted into a busway by 2025. A good use of the morning then!

Re4/4 11149 emerges into sunlight from the
depths of Zurich Hbf. It had brought in stock for
the sleeper to Budapest. 23/05/2024

Back to Le Choix du Fondes and finally onto the Jura with a unit to the junction at Le Noirmont. Here we were able to change onto one of the ‘semi-unit’ trains with nice opening window push pull coaches working with what is effectively a modern EMU power car for the run down to Tavannes. En route we passed a freight train (loaded rubbish) and another passenger service with a freight wagon on the rear. An interesting operation to potentially come back to. With tight connections I never did get a decent look at the EMU vehicle pushing the train and on arrival at Tavannes it was back onto an SBB ‘Domino’ unit to start the journey back to Biel, Basel and on to Zurich.

'Lion' Re420 216 works S19 train 19972 from Pfäffikon ZH to Dietikon past the fields at Ilnau 23/05/2024

Re420 205 departs from Ilnau. 23/05/2024

We had done well not to get very wet at all, and my weather app was showing that the evening weather in Zurich might even be quite good, so we needed to make a speedy reversion to ‘Plan A’ and tackle the evening ‘Lion’s’. The Commuter Re420’s working out of Zurich had been on my list for last May’s trip, but unfortunately, I got well and truly rained out once I arrived at my location. Today despite the dire forecast the evening had produced a nice sunny patch around the location at Ilnau on the line to Pfaffikon ZH and although we didn’t get the full sun shot for the first train, that objective was achieved before we had to leave. Frankly I couldn’t believe it. Now it was time to head down towards the Gotthard pass and our accommodation for the night, the Gusthaus Schafli right outside the bus stop at Inschi between Erstfeld and Wassen. There was no time for food, but after our pre-arranged late check-in that the hotel didn’t know about, they were thankfully still able to serve us a beer.

A pair of Re450's, trailed by 450 032 passes between Ilanu and Effretikon. 23/05/2024

 

 Friday 24^th May-

Another poor weather forecast, though not as bad as Thursday, so we were all pretty excited to wake up to a clear sky! Of course it wasn’t to last and had clouded over by the end of breakfast! Undeterred we got the bus up to Wassen for a day on the Gotthard Pass- something that until the freight train de-railment in the base tunnel at the end of last year hasn’t been worth doing since 2016!

Re460 107 on the rear of a classic Swiss loco-hauled (well, pushed) set at the Wattlinger curve at Wassen. 24/05/2024

An Re4/4 hauled postal train on the mid-level at
Wassen with 420 280. The rainbow proved there
was some  sunshine- but not here! 24/05/2024

The damage to the Gotthard Base Tunnel has forced almost all passenger services back over the scenic mountain route, as well as a few freight trains (but how few we really did not know). While the line would certainly be busier than the standard one EMU an hour, I wasn’t expecting to see a lot of loco hauled activity. To my knowledge there was one turn booked for an Re460, The Re4/4 hauled ‘Gotthard Panorama Express’ and whatever little freight that might turn up. Other trains would be the usual golden Sudostbahn EMU’s and Pendolinos working the through trains to Italy.

A pair of RABe 501 'Giruno' units make their way towards Wassen on the old Gotthard mountain route. 24/05/2024

940 045 on the Watlinger curve with a single wagon in tow. 

In reality I think we did pretty well. The Panorama turned up as expected, but in the end there were at least three Re460 loco hauled sets in use on the line. In the 12 hours we spent on the line 6 freight trains were seen, plus a works trip with Aem 940 045 which ran north light engine and later returned with a wagon. This certainly isn’t much compared to pre-base tunnel levels, but is a lot more than I had expected. Of those freights, four were seen with classic Swiss RE4/4 or 6/6 traction and three of them all turned up within 5 minutes around midday, and naturally all under a massive cloud! 

Re460 046 'Rotsee' leads across the mid-level viaduct.

We did however manage to at least photograph something in each of our locations that was well lit, and the line provided sufficient entertainment. I don’t however think I will be coming back when the diversions have finished. Spectacular as it is, an hourly EMU is not worth the effort.

After a semi-successful but slightly frustrating day with the light, we retreated back to the hotel for what was my only proper sit down meal of the trip- and very nice it was too!

Holy cow! A 'proper' freight at Wassen on the Gotthard Mountain route in 2024! DB 152131 leads a classmate past the Wattinger curve. 24/05/2024

 

Saturday 25^th May-

Die Zentralbahn traction at Engelburg. 25/05/2024

It was straight out after breakfast to leave the Gotthard and move on to our next target, the loco hauled operations on the Zentralbahn. There was just time for a whistlestop tour of Luzern before heading onto the Engelburg line. Again, I covered this route last May but didn’t manage the shot I wanted due to a torrential downpour. Today was looking better than that, but success was very far from guaranteed. 101 966 was taken up to Engelburg from where we dropped back to Wolfenschiessen to attempt some nice sunny photos- well the cloud did have some breaks in it.

 

ZB 101 965 heads downgrade on the rack towards Meiringen.

After our first attempt we went for a little wander and realised that only around 10 paces away was a nano-brewery the ‘Brauerei Äigèbraij‘. Even better, due to a festival in the valley it was open! We did the obvious thing and bought a beer before we got chatting to Thömu the owner who put some sausages on the BBQ for us before we were beckoned into his ‘cellar’ to taste his private barrel of Whisky! What a man and what a lovely whisky! If you are in the area and the place is open (apparently when the light outside is on) it is well worth a visit! What is more, between our beer and sausage the next train passed and the sun just about obliged as well. Wolfenschiessen had been kind to us, and now it was time to move on.

ZB 101 966 passes between Wolfenschiessen and Grafenort. 25/05/2024

 

Two older style ZB driving cars at Meiringen where the trains
reverse. Both will be pushed by Ge4/4iii's. 25/05/2024

During the summer there are two pairs of IR trains on the main route of the Zentralbahn between Luzern and Interlaken Ost, unlike all other trains on the route these are loco hauled- so had to be done. Sure enough 101 965 was waiting in the platform at Luzern with the 13:55 to Interlaken Ost which was taken throughout. Another stunningly beautiful line complete with lakes, mountains and various rack sections. As the train reversed at Meiringen it was unusual to see another loco hauled set present, with 101 968 which had reportedly been working between there and Interlaken.
The loco hauled train on the ZB connects nicely with one of the GoldenPass gauge-changing trains from Interlaken Ost to Montreaux via Zweissman, and BLS Re465 001 was duly taken to Speiz, netting a new class for all of us.

Re460 057 'Val-de-Ruz' heads west from Interlaken Ost. 

 

From here it was by bus to the popular photo spot at Einigen, where once again there was some great light, but usually not when the trains were around. We spent a good couple of hours waiting for the perfect shot, but left somewhat disappointed with only three northbound freights (plenty more heading south, the ‘wrong’ way) of which the only one with an older loco came in cloud, as did most of the loco hauled passengers!

SBB 193 462 with a rolling road passing through Einigen near Spiez. 25/05/2024

 

Back in Interlaken it was already getting fairly late. There was a food festival near the station so this became dinner and after a few beers it was time for bed.

101 965 pushes its Zentralbahn IR train through Brienzwiller. 26/05/2024.

 

Sunday 26^th May-

 

A Berner Oberland Bahn departure from
Interlarken to Lauterbrunnen. 26/05/2024

The original plan for today was to ride and photograph the BLM from Lauterbrunnen to – Murren before the old railcars were replaced, but due to a badly timed week-long possession (probably to commission the new railcars) this was now disappointingly not going to happen. Fortunately all was not lost, as by chance I had stumbled upon a steam trip being run by the Brünig Steam Railway from Interlaken to Giswil over this scenic line. These trips run once a month during the summer months, and this was the first of the year. Starting from Interlaken Ost the train was led by adhesion steam loco G3/4 208 to Meiringen where it reversed and gave way to rack loco HG3/3 1068.

G 3/4 208 shunts out of the way of passing trains at Oberried am Brienzersee. 25/05/2024

 

ZB Ge4/4iii 101 964 at Luzern. 26/05/2024

There are plenty of opportunities to photograph the train as it shunts into loops to clear the way for ZB passenger services. Passenger also have the opportunity to stand on the coach end balconies, or enjoy a beer (or champagne as one guy our area was) from the bar coach. The staff were super friendly and the whole excursion was excellent. Full details of future trips are at https://bruenig-dampfbahn.ch/

HG3/3 1068 shunts the tourist train at Brunig Hasliburg. 26/05/2024

 

After leaving the train we picked up a sausage at the recommended bar across the street and made our way to photograph the return trip climbing out of Giswil. Of course, by now it had clouded over.

HG3/3 1068 climbs out of Giswil with the Brunig Dampfbhan charter back to Interlaken. 26/05/2024

HG3/3 1068 on the turntable at Giswil.

It was now time for me to start thinking about heading home, one of the usual units was taken back from Giswil to Luzern (via a beer in the restaurant car of course), and another couple of 101’s picked up on the Engleburg line before I made my way back to Basel airport- an unusually disrupted journey by Swiss accounts with my chosen train being cancelled along with several others from Luzern. It was not a bother as the next train would still give me plenty of time, only that too was late due to an ill passenger. Of course none of it mattered in the end as I got to the airport on time to find that my flight was delayed.

Intercity on the Gotthard- an SBB Re460 descends the ramp, viewed from the churchyard at Wassen. 24/05/2024

SBB Switzerland again 7-10th May 2023

Re4/4 11114 works EC185 the 12:32 Zurich - Singen - (Stuttgart) across the impressive Rhein Bridge at Eglisau. 9/5/2023.

A different meter gauge line as ZentralBahn
101968 stands at Engelburg. 7/5/2023.

Having not always had the best weather for my previous trip to Switzerland in February, when I realised I had a few days available in May (when the weather should be better) I jumped at the chance of a quick return visit. With some reasonably priced flights booked there were a few key targets, particularly some of the last Re4/4 hauled trains which were due to finish in June.

Having had a number of very successful trips to the RhB the aim of this trip was NOT to end up there – unless perhaps my last Ge4/4ii, 614 happened to be doing something useful!

 

Staples of SBB passenger traction, the now outgoing Re4/4 and Re460 line up at Zurich Hbf. 07/05/23

Sunday 7^th May-

After a day out watching the Coronation and celebrating a friends birthday on the Saturday day, driving to Gatwick airport for a 7am flight on Sunday morning suddenly didn’t seem such a good idea- especially since I had checked the weather forecast and seen that it was fairly abysmal for the whole trip!

SNCF BB22249 at Geneva with a service for Lyon. 07/05/23.

Surprisingly however conditions were fairly bright in Geneva, and having boarded an Re460 hauled service I managed my first and only sunny picture of the day of a French BB22000 at Geneva.

The first stop was an Morges to do a bit of a rekkie of the MBC railway which runs from Lake Geneva up to the delightfully named towns of Apples, Biere and L’Isle-Mont-la-Ville. The railway is also one of the last to carry standard gauge freight on its narrow gauge tracks using rollbocks. I knew I was unlikely to find any freight on a Sunday, but hopefully I could gleam some information for a future trip- unfortunately not as I struggled to find any staff, and the only driver I did speak to unfortunately didn’t speak English. Still, I had a pleasant ride up to Apples before returning on the next train, this one complete with opening windows.

Aside from their pasenger work, it is still fairly easy to see Re4/4's on freight trains. 420 277 is seen leading a classmate through Lausanne. Note the leading loco is dellner coupler fitted. 07/05/23.

My next non-RhB narrow gauge target was the ZentralBahn from Luzern, which I made my way to loco-hauled by way of the impressive station at Lausanne. The weather was closing in now, and rain fell at various points on my journey.

Evidence of freight acitvities at Morges on the MBC. The unit
I have arrived on from Apples is parked to the left. 07/05/23.

The ZentralBahn runs a network of lines here including the line to Engelburg which retains loco haulage with their fleet of class 101 HGe4/4’s. 101 961 and 968 were providing the days service and a full run was taken up to Engelburg with 101 968, returning to Wolfenschiessen where I had planned some photography. The weather however had other ideas with torrential rain now falling since I had passed through the station 30 minutes earlier. Lineside photography was out, I wasn’t even sure if I’d make it to the nearby bar to spend my hour without getting soaked! Without wanting a long fester on a wet platform I made the dash and after a beer dashed back to the station to take 101 961 back to Luzern for a Twindexx on to Zurich.

101968 pushes its 'Engelburg Express' away from a very wet scene at Wolfenschiessen. It would now rain for many hours! 07/05/2023.

TGV Lyria 4722 arrives into Lausanne with a Paris service.

It was still raining heavily in Zurich where several Re4/4’s were photographed working their portions of overnight sleeper trains. I then got wet once again on the quick dash to the Johanniter restaurant just across the river where I enjoyed an excellent Rosti and a dark beer. It was then time to brave the rain again to reach my base for the night, a guesthouse in Rafz, reached by the S9 (Re450) train. I had ended up staying here due to the proximity to some of my other targets and it being much more affordable than Zurich at short notice. Fortunately the rain had subsided enough that I didn’t get totally drenched on the 15 minute walk into town, however I then arrived to find the whole place shut up! Fortunately I persevered and found a back door which had my key in an envelope! It was good to be in the dry!

A lucky atch of sun as 101961 approaches Stans with an 'Engelburg Express'. The locos are effectively the same HGe4/4 as is in use with the Mattehorn Gotthard Bahn. 08/05/23

 

Monday 8^th May-

RE4/4 11300 has backed onto stock at Zurich ready for its 
next working to the German border at Singen. 8/5/2023.

The morning had dawned very grey, but it was at least dry. There was however no point in trying to photograph the Re4/4’s on EC work between Singen and Zurich this morning, so instead I took the local train to Schaffhausen in order to take a ride behind one, 11114 taking me in to Zurich after a short delay arriving from Germany.

With the weather looking better further south I retraced my moves from the previous day back to Luzern and the Zentralbahn. Miraculously while at Stans a few gaps in the cloud appeared, and I managed sunny shots of both the locos which had been out the previous day. Heading back to Luzern I had around 40 minutes until my next train and was pleasantly surprised to find that the waterfront and many of the main tourist attractions of this lovely city were immediately outside the station! I had time for a quick wander around and an ice cream (just as it started raining again) before boarding another Re460 service to Thalwill and then connecting down to Unterterzen for another attempt at some photography by lake Walensee. As seems to be typical for this location, the weather was not kind, and despite some chunks of blue in the sky I didn’t catch any trains in good light. There were though a good number of Re4/4’s seen with the evening trains from Chur, Eurocity from Austria and several freight movements.

ZentralBahn operate a large number of multiple units alongside the HGe4/4 push-pull trains. 161 012 is seen on the outskirts of Stans with a local service. 08/05/23.

Re4/4 11114 (again!) is seen by lake Walensee near Unterterzen
working the 17:08 Chur - Zurich. Still not the sunny shot I 
was after but an improvement on the trains producing Re460's
on my previous visit! 08/05/2023.

It was pretty late by the time I returned from Sargans to Chur, and while I could really have done with a restaurant car, a loco hauled train with Re460 043 had to suffice. There was some sleeper activity again with Re4/4’s at Zurich, and to save a very late arrival back at my hotel dinner was a Bratwurst from a station stall. To save another slow commuter journey I took a fast service to Shaffhausen on one of the ex-WestJet 401 units (which I must say were very comfortable) for the short hop back on the S9. This also allowed me to get a run past the Rheinfall while it was lit up. I would have stopped off for some photos but with the lights due to switch off at 23:00 I would have been too late once I had walked down.

Google reckoned the hotel restaurant was open until midnight, and a beer would have been welcome, but unsurprisingly everything was closed upon my arrival.

 

Tuesday 9^th May-

SBB Cargo Re6/6 620 022 crosses the viaduct at Eglisau with a train of hoppers for the nearby quarry at Hüntwangen. 09/06/2023.

S9 services are provided by Re450 push-pull train sets. 450 090
is seen working a service to Uster at Eglisay. 09/06/2023.

Cloudy again, but the forecast did at least indicate some sunny spells were possible in the morning. My main objective of this trip had been to photograph the Re4/4’s on EC services between Zurich and Stuttgart on the impressive viaduct over the Rhein at Eglisau as they were scheduled to finish in June- this morning really was my last chance! Amazingly on arrival at Eglisau the weather began to improve markedly. Several good shots were achieved, but the southbound EC which I had came for never turned up, not with an Re4/4 at least! Fortunately a couple of freight services to the nearby quarry did, and eventually EC185 northbound to Stuttgart passed in acceptable light. Mission accomplished!

Double-deck heaven at Schaffhausen! Left to right a suburban Re450 set, an SBB Twindexx and finally a set of DB Dostos bound for Friedrichshafen Haven. 09/05/2023.

DB's 245035 was an unexpected visitor at Schaffhausen, these
services usually running from Basel Bad Bf had been diverted 
due to engineering work. 09/05/2023.

With the light diminishing again and not much more of a plan I treated myself to half an hour of being a tourist at the Rheinfall, which really was quite impressive. I then took a train up to Schaffhausen to pick up the returning Re4/4- which was annoyingly 11114 again from yesterday!

Also at Schaffhausen I was surprised to see further loco hauled action in the form of DB’s 245 035 to Friedrichshafen-Haven, I understand diverted here due to engineering works.

The heavens have opened! 420 222 trails a Lion set through the fields between Effretikon and Illnau. 9/5/2023.

420 210 is at the helm of a 'Lion' set at Pffafikon. 09/05/2023.

Back in Zurich there was time to enjoy a lunch and a beer by the lake, and also to visit the Swiss Central Bank to change some old notes I had been left with from a previous trip – an experience in itself and of course a pillar of Swiss efficiency.

The pleasant weather was now starting to look less kind as I headed towards the end of my short trip. The afternoon target were the Re4/4 ‘Lion’ commuter sets which I had not previously covered. After riding a couple I got into position for some photos near Illnau on the line to Pfaffikon. Of course before I even got to my spot the heavens opened and I got drenched again.

A little more Lion riding and a good move was found to get me to the airport loco-hauled for my flight home.

With the ever eroding passenger diagrams for SBB's Re4/4's much of their remaining work is now working portions of overnight sleeper services. 11149 waits to depart Zurich with the Night Jet to Amsterdam via Basel. 08/05/2023.

All was going fine until EasyJet cancelled the flight at 22:00. One thing I can say about Swiss efficiency is that it does not extend to Zurich Airport (and certainly not EasyJet!). Accepting that I was not now going home tonight and was not going to get any assistance from the airline I booked a modest hotel in Zurich (having been told told I could re-claim it) and enjoyed what was actually a very good Burger King for my dinner since I was now starving. I booked on the flight 24 hours later, if the weather was any better at least I could have another go at the Lion’s now.

 

Wednesday 10^th May-

SBB Vectron 193 516 at Istein on the scenic line along the Rhein. 10/05/2023. 

The weather wasn’t better. Not in Zurich anyway, so I headed west where things looked a bit more promising. A DB ICE-4 conveyed me to Basel Bad from where I made a brief foray into Germany. I had spotted the scenic looking line along east bank of the Rhein here from a plane landing at Basel airport a few years previously and now I had an unexpected chance to give photography here a go.

460 018 at Basel SBB with a IC2000 rake bound for Brig. 10/05/2023.

Re460 061 at Thalwill on a Luzern - Zurich service. 08/05/23.

I queued up for quite some time to try to buy a DB FIP ticket only to be told I couldn’t for the local operator. I then spent a bit of time at Basel Bad, and then at Efringen-Kirchen watching the clouds and the freight trains. Traffic on the route I had picked seemed variable, but the fact there was any freight was a relief.

Having failed to get a sunny shot at my first location I moved on to Istein and found a precarious shot by the lineside to shoot the trains. I just needed to wait, and wait, and wait for something interesting to turn up. Fortunately by the time it eventually did the sun had also decided to make an appearance, and I left back to Switzerland with a couple of pleasing shots.

186 222 makes as fine a sight as a Traxx loco can as it makes its way north from Istein over the German border. 10/05/2023.

Basel BLT tram heading towards Basel SBB Station. 10/05/23

EasyJet treated me to dinner on my Twindexx unit back to Zurich where one member of staff did a very impressive job of serving a nearly full restaurant car as well as prepping drinks, food and billing everyone in the 50 minute journey to Zurich! I then dropped onto the now familiar move from the day before to take a Lion set to Oerlikon for what really, really would be my last loco of the trip this time to Zuirch Airport, 460 071.

This time EasyJet did fly me home- all be it a little late. Zurich airport excelled once again with massive security and customs queues. Exactly 24 hours earlier I had just walked through. A number of passengers, myself included, were getting fairly worried that we would not get through in time. In fact, had it not been for the delay to the flight we may well not have!

 

Conclusions-

101968 working a ZentralBahn 'Engelburg Express' away from Stans, bound for Luzern. 8/5/2023.

I always love to spend time in Switzerland, even though the weather did make this trip a bit trying at times. That said, while I didn’t come away with masses of great pictures, I did get several including one or two that I really wanted. The rest of the sunny pictures will, once again, have to wait until another time.

Re6/6 power on the Pfaffikon line as 620 082 works a ballast train.
Need I add this could have benefited from better weather! 9/5/23

What probably won’t be around next time are daytime IC and EC trains hauled by Re4/4’s which are due to loose almost all of their remaining passenger work (excluding Lion’s) in June. Fortunately there are still plenty to see on freight for now, but the long dominance of these delightful locos is certainly now diminishing rapidly.

Having my flight cancelled was a first for me, and while EasyJet will honour my expenses I can’t say much for their customer service, and despite my best efforts I’m clearly not going to get any compensation out of them since the flight cancellation has gone down as weather related - not that I was told that at the time!

The view from above taken by drone at Eglisau as an Re6/6 works a stone train from Hüntwangen. 9/5/2023.

Re4/4's doing their thing at Zurich Hbf. Scenes like this are fast becoming history as the class continues to loose what little remains of its passenger duties. 8/5/2023.