The GoldenPass Express has made its maiden voyage, paving the way to take passengers through the magical Vaud region and beyond after more than a hundred year wait for the direct link.
Connecting Montreux and Interlaken without change, the GoldenPass Express transports passengers on a mesmerising three-hour journey from the Vaud Riviera with stunning views of Lake Geneva, through to the majestic peaks of the Bernese Alps via the Pays-d’Enhaut.
The GoldenPass Express was officially inaugurated during an event in Gstaad on December 11 as two trains joined and made an appearance at the city’s station – one from Montreux, the other from Interlaken. The new train was inaugurated by Georges Oberson, General Manager of MOB and Daniel Schafer, CEO of BLS – both applauding the historical event and pinnacle of Swiss innovation.
One of the trains was named by the world-famous music sensation, Shania Twain, and aptly named Shania Train. The Canadian artist calls Switzerland home, with an estate overlooking Lake Geneva in the region of Vaud. The other train, named Gstaad, was christened by Mike von Grünigen, a Swiss ski legend and Saanen native.
Designed by the renowned Italian designer Pininfarina, the train will have panoramic carriages and offer both first and second class, as well as a Prestige class area.
The dream of a direct link between Lake Geneva and the Lake Brienz and Lake Thun regions was born in the 19th century and is finally about to become a reality.
Awaited for more than 100 years, the new train features a revolutionary variable gauge system, enabling the train to switch from the metric gauge of the MOB (Montreux–Zweisimmen) to the normal gauge of the BLS (Zweisimmen–Interlaken) in just a few seconds.
The GoldenPass Express will find its cruising rhythm from 11 June 2023 with four return trains between Montreux and Interlaken Ost.
For more information, visit: https://www.myvaud.ch/en/A1495/launch-of-the-goldenpass-express-line