72625 posts
Hi Joysicle and welcome to MySwissAlps!
It is difficult to plan that trip this spring due top construction on the line between Montreux and Zweisimmen (you get off the train and take a bus between Montbovon–Château-d’Oex, about 10km)
This is the section of the Golden Pass route that has the Classic panoramic train “Belle Epoque” in the Swiss railways timetable.
These classic cars are currently in and out of service due to renovations until June as well. You may luck out and you may not. The timetable should note the train as Belle Epoque if the classic train is running.
Technically the 08:53 and 13:44 departures should be the classic trains (see attached PDF) but there isn’t a way to guarantee it this Spring (reservations are not possible either).
8889 posts
Reservations between Montreux and Zweisimmen are simply not possible in May. Reservations from Zweisimmen to Lucerne are unnecessary.
From the official bulletin: “The GoldenPass Classic will be undergoing renovations from 8 January to 29 June. From 30 June, the three Belle Époque coaches will be put back into operation and the name of the train composition will change to GoldenPass MOB Belle Époque . During the conversion period, a scheduled train operates with conventional coaches.”
72625 posts
Thank you so much for your replies to my post. All I can say is Super Bunmet!
i So Wanted to experience the Classic train!
If anyone has any suggestions on how to have that experience such a train-since were starting in London and going all around Europe and Eastern Europe.’- Please do tell!
72625 posts
I haven’t come across a similar train in my travels around Europe yet – it is fairly unique as a refurbished heritage train. You may luck out with it as I’ve seen them running on the line sporadically (attached to other trains) but they are in for refurbishment until June technically. I have a feeling they are testing them empty when they are attached to other trains.
Maybe the Orient Express? 🙂 https://www.belmond.co m/trains/europe/venice -simplon-orient-express/
15485 posts
Hi Joysicle,
You’ll find some really nice train rides on http://www.rhb.ch/en/world-of-railway-experiences/steam-nostalgic-rides, but these are excursions that can only be booked a few days per year typically.