Croatia to Switzerland across the Alps by night train

[@torniaccio]

Hi guys! I've been one of the Italian designers of this coaches for Gredelj years ago... It's nice to see how Croatian railways are keeping them working so good! About the weird toilet floor you've noticed, no shower where in program inside the toilet. The wrinkles are there for anti slippery purpose only, and the drain grid is there to allow high pressure water cleaning. If you have more questions, you're welcome!

[@Mastakilla91]

Is it based on some standard design/layout or a custom design. Also, did they apply some extra insulation or was SimplyRailways just tired after his Optima "express" journey? :)

[@torniaccio]

@@Mastakilla91 Most of the design is original. Few parts were adapted from previous designs. The bathrooms are of an original design as are the vestibules and equipped walls of the cabins.The carriages were completely overhauled from scratch, the insulation was completely new.

[@samtrak1204]

Zagreb Station platform is amazingly clean and shiny.

[@nemanjaa18]

are u joking guy ??😂

[@ImpureForce]

I'm from Dalmatia, south of Croatia, and always wished it was better connected to the rest of Europe by railway. Only train you can take is from Split to Zagreb. I hope they will invest in railways and connect Dalmatia and Istria to night European trains!

[@markoobid2005]

In summer, there are direct services to Prague, Budapest and Vienna/Bratislava too!

[@ImpureForce]

@@markoobid2005 from Zagreb, yes, and only in the summer. There are many low cost airlines flying during summer but once the tourist season is over, the country, especially the South, is quite isolated. That's why I was hoping for railway to develop.

[@markoobid2005]

@@ImpureForce no, these summer services are direct from Split.

[@ImpureForce]

@@markoobid2005 yes, that's great for tourists.

[@syrien07]

Dalmatia is Countryside....fare away..no chance ;-)

[@NerdX151]

I kinda miss the old croatian sleepers. There was just something cozy about the wooden panels and maroon curtains, and of course I loved the ability to fully open the windows. I feel like modern sleepers are a bit too "sterile" if that makes sense.

[@markoobid2005]

Those are still alive on the seasonal service Osijek - Split.

[@irish_trains]

yeah they were amazing, so comfortable too

[@dariop0404]

5:48 Good to mention: Croatia will most likely enter Schengen Area on January 1st, so no more passport control 👍 Great trip report and a stunning route! Greetings from Zagreb

[@barvdw]

hopefully they'll do away with the locomotive change in Dobova as well, it's just a half-hour ride, this should not necessitate a switch.

[@SimplyRailway]

Oh that's great! The passport control isn't that bad compared to other countries but it'll make the journey even smoother

[@dannyboy-vtc5741]

@@barvdw unless they acquire a two systems loco they won't, croatia runs on 25 kV ac power and slovenia on 3 kV dc, so otherwise it wouldn't be changed even today probably..

[@barvdw]

@@dannyboy-vtc5741 the 1216 can run under 25 kV, too, I believe.

[@dannyboy-vtc5741]

@@barvdw i don't think hžpp has any of these, not sure, but the new type locos are mostly used by private hauling enterprises, maybe if they lease some or something..

[@OnTheTrailCH]

I took this train from Zagreb to Zurich end of September this year just because i was curious, i liked it, it’s super clean and it was wonderful to cross different countries.

[@Backwardlooking]

You DO get around. 👍🏻🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿

[@lb2791]

The part between Buchs and Zürich when the tracks go along lake Walensee with the huge mountain range behind it is one of the most beautiful there are. Being swiss I've taken this route countless times but I'm in awe every time.

[@adalbertohernandez5390]

lucky to be there

[@Tanaka1943]

Im glad i didnt grow up in switzerland as now in adulthood i can truly enjoy where i live. Best country in the world

[@Trainspotting_Trips]

Du kannst auch von Zürich nach Chur fahren. Da hast du die selben Views auf den Waslensee und die grossen Berge :) Aber ich weiss was du meinst…bin auch oft mit diesem Zug in meinem Leben gefahren!

[@josephr9551]

I love watching your videos on Fridays right after I complete my workweek.

[@douglasgorney]

You have the best job in the world! And yours are definitely the best train reviews on KZbin.

[@markoobid2005]

How nice it is to read that everyone sees Slovenia as scenic 😀. About the cars: they are, however, not brand-new made. These cars are rebuild from the 1970s Goša sleeping cars, that's why they are shorter (UIC-Y; 24,5 m long only, 10 compartments, 30 beds) and have no showers. As you see, the modernization was not really successful, these lower beds . being like bunks - are a big fail. Middle and upper ones are better though. The ride quality seemed quite poor to me, no way you can compare it to Comfortline sleepers or the Slovakian (Russian) Görlitz ones, while still much better than on Caledonian Sleeper Mk5 cars... The car-carrier runs from Villach to Feldkirch, but seems to be empty on your ride. Two more at the end of the train come from Graz to Feldkirch. The Belgrade to Zürich train used to be one car only, and the last two years before Corona this was also cancelled. The train was technically the same then (EN 414/415), but actually there were two trains, one Belgrade - Villach and one Zagreb - Zürich, running coupled from Zagreb to Villach. The Belgrade to Zürich passengers could then change the cars anywhere on the route between Zagreb and Villach.

[@travelbuzz1]

Thanks Thibault - I love this train! I went on it from Ljubljana to Zürich in June and found the Croatian Sleeper cars pretty good, the AC a big plus. I had a passport check at Buchs after coming through Lichtenstein, for some reason. The attendant warned me the night before, thankfully. Stunning scenery, though - worth every penny 🙂

[@slavenclekovic1206]

What a surprise that you were here! I must start following you on other social media, you could have got video from outside in Zagreb hehe :) Unfortunately, rusty and dirty Zagreb Glavni kolodvor became even worse after earthquake. We all believe something will change soon, the building is wonderful. I have recently travelled by EN498 Zagreb - Munich in a couchette. I was extremely surprised how HŽ couchette were tidy, clean and comfy. We were lucky booking compartment for 4, but were alone inside :) The cool thing about EN498: in Ljubljana it picks up EN480 Rijeka - Munich, in Villach it picks NJ40236 Venice - Munich, and in Salzburg it picks EN462 Budapest - Munich. So to Munich you have very cool train! If you decide to try it, please announce it :)

[@markoobid2005]

Will be extended to Stuttgart from December, but will run as a separate train until Salzburg (no more coupling in Villach) carrying the Zürich cars to Schwarzach too.

[@slavenclekovic1206]

@@markoobid2005 How about Rijeka cars? WIll remain the coupling them in Ljubljana?

[@markoobid2005]

@@slavenclekovic1206 yes. Only the evening train from Rijeka will depart around 1 hour earlier to connect in Ljubljana with the new "Lisinski" which will eventually depart Zagreb at 19.50 (one hour later than the Zürich train now). Morning train from Ljubljana to Rijeka will stay the same, and there will be new train with departure around 8.30 from Ljubljana which will carry the direct Stuttgart - RIjeka sleepers.

[@vladimirperic280]

I was on this train with my girlfriend in 2018,we boarded the train in Serbia and when we arrived in Zagreb we boarded sleeper car,it was awesome experience we both loved it and enjoyed every bit of it to Buchs Switzerland just amazing journey

[@goranjaksic5311]

Wow so perfect video yeaaa. Congrat for this video. 🕵️‍♂️👍👌👌👌👌

[@khughes0402]

What a beautiful, relaxing and well-composed video. I love it when the journey starts in the evening and ends in the daylight...with beautiful weather all along the route. The scenery as you were traveling through Switzerland is some of the best I've ever seen. My only regret is that it had to end. Fantastic job of filming!!

[@surajitgoswami1871]

What a gem! Orient Express from Switzerland. I was in Zurich (and on Bernina) in July and your aerial view of Zurich HBF brought back memories.

[@FloridaFlipFlops]

Hello from Naples, Florida. An awesome train ride to Switzerland, with beautiful views along the way. We enjoyed. Thank you so much for sharing this part of the world with us.

[@luisstransport]

Great trip report

[@cherylsemrau7100]

Yes for those hours there should be a dining car. Also you travelled through beautiful country while it was dark. There should be showers on board. Like the showers on Japanese trains. I wish I could go on this train. Greetings from Canada.

[@keithparker2206]

The auto-carrier is the Nightjet portion from Graz to Feldkirch.

[@AirJordan0023]

Jako lijepo!!!

[@ivansoco5332]

Cool video, for anyone visiting the Zagreb train station, you might want to check out the Importanne underground mall with dozens of shops 60 seconds from the entrance. Also Croatia will be / is part of Schengen from Jan 1st 23!

[@kashyap3120]

Impressive. Trains, stations, greenery, the way you covered. Simply superb. I travelled with u dude. Thank u

[@tylerdowd]

Oh yeah!!!

[@TripsonBudget]

This trip is also on my wishlist. Thanks for the video. Great as always :)

[@mugenjin205]

Awesome video, I honestly love traveling by train its relaxing, and comfortable and you get beautiful views. I enjoyed it when you showed the views.

[@dsdonovan]

A dining car with Croatian cuisine sounds interesting...

[@jamesrobinson9194]

Fantastique ! A journey I'd love to make one day.

[@joemeyers3127]

I always look forward to your Friday videos. This one is terrific. Good accommodations, great scenery - what is there not to like about this journey?

[@trainenthusiast7695]

the lack of a cold beer in a dining car

[@pritamkoli]

Five star coverage

[@citizensane1426]

Wonderful video, thanks. In 2017 we drove from Chamonix to Zurich. Love from USA.

[@Luwi75]

This is EN Zürichsee 414. The train named “Croatia” is EC158 from Zagreb to Vienna. (PS: It’s not the same Taurus-loco from Dobova to Buchs: in Slovenia you filmed a 1216 Taurus, and at Buchs they uncoupled a 1116 Taurus.) And the auto carrier “left” the train at Feldkirch.

[@slavenclekovic1206]

Actually the name of that train is Alpine Pearls.

[@tomabacic5777]

1216 Dobova - Villach Hbf, 1116 Villach - Schwarzach-St.Veit, 1116 Schwarzach-St.Veit - Buchs SG

[@EpicThe112]

@@tomabacic5777 You are correct although in reality 1216 can stay all the way to Buchs St Gallen in Switzerland because of the Arlberg Bahn Steep section that's why it has to stay there otherwise the 1116/1016 DB Baureihe 182 gets stuck between Landeck & the Arlberg Tunnel. Since ÖBB uses the same PZB as Deutsche Bahn in rare situations a DB Baureihe 151 DR Baureihe 250 DB Baureihe 155 gets attached to the back and speed is reduced to 120 kmh go 130 kmh on DB Baureihe 155 G red Circle is lit

[@avatar_auxbourgh2010]

Thank you you maked it

[@lucass.1895]

Thanks for such great content! Please keep going on that level! I took the HZPP Sleeper through a ride from Munich to Rijeka for a summer trip back in 2019, due to the thought, that this connection would be shut down in a year or two. I never have thought, that nighttrains could have such a great revival.... From munich to rijeka everything was perfect. But on the trip back to munich, the AC wasn't working (it was about 40°C outside, and the train stand the whole time in the sun, so I think, you can immagine how it was inside), plus, in the night, I had to go to the toilet and both of them were closed. Also the transfer to another waggon wasn't possible, because they were locked.... So it wasn't enjoyable at all... Hopefully, this will never happen again(this incident, not taking night train ;) )

[@amtrakharry]

Another great video !!! Looks like a great trip !!! I love how you show the train consist... 👍👍👍

[@marekeos]

Excellent video! Your captions were very interesting, descriptive and to the point. Subscribed!!!

[@bwolper]

Thank, I never tire of the views in the Alps.

[@johnferguson1412]

Looks wonderful.

[@thomashiepler3280]

I was 2 times on the train Zurich-Athens ,that was in 1985. A real wonderfull trip, Zagreb,Belgrad,Nis, Skopje,Thessaloniki ,Athens.scheduled 48 hours 8 hours delayed. The train jam packed, we were with 6 in a compartment all the way to Athens. All the way through former Yugoslavia there was a guy with his harmonica on the train ,opening the doors switching on the light at nighttime started playing, he would not stop unless you give him"Bakschisch" we had a great time incl. warm beer and food which we buy from the locals at the train stops. Still got my train ticket as a souvenir

[@SarahRenz59]

What a scenic ride! That sleeper compartment looked very nice and comfortable; well worth the extra money to have it to yourself. I agree that they could use a dining car; heck, I think most people would be happy with a simple snack bar that sells prepackaged sandwiches and hand-held microwaveable foods like pasties and burritos.

[@cadenh03]

Simply Railway next time your in the Northeast USA I highly recommend checking out the Conway Scenic Railroad in New Hampshire. The views are absolutely breathtaking!

[@johnbx2795]

Great video. Stunning scenery 🙂

[@mijalic1]

Great presentation. Thank you for your time and effort to make this video and share it with us. Greetings from Croatia

[@lorenzhugener6638]

I've also traveled on this train several times, especially in the 80's, from Buchs to Zagreb and Belgrade. At that time there were still the old sleeping cars…

[@gacj2010]

Fantastic

[@172Manager]

I also drove from Munich to Zagreb with this sleeping car in the spring. What I didn't like was that the passengers weren't offered towels. This has never happened to me before!

[@joelsoutlet8366]

What an amazing and incredible journey. I love the side views Thanks for sharing you mesmerizing train trip. Cheers.

[@nashorn9745]

Congratulations for 200k subs

[@felixweber3955]

I’ll have a long weekend in Zagreb at the end of October and I’ll take this train too! I’ll just be in a 6 bed-room. It’s funny you uploaded the video the day I booked my trip

[@MartinBrez]

I did the journey between Zagreb and Ljubljana and back as a day trip last year. Very beautiful journey 👍

[@chuckmaurice3646]

Thanks for the ride

[@williammckinney4090]

Nice video! I don't think the evacuation drain has anything to do with a shower; it just makes cleaning easier, especially if something overflows.

[@tranmere292]

Yes, here in Australia all toilets and bathrooms have a drain in the floor in case of overflows.

[@scottyerkes1867]

Beautiful scenery! Nice accommodations. No dining car was a surprise for a journey this long. Thank you Thibault😀💚👌

[@bartduynstee1577]

not really. hardly any nighttrains in europe still operate with a diningcar. its simply too expensive to accomodate one

[@scottyerkes1867]

@@bartduynstee1577 You're right. Long distance trains here in the US have dining cars offering food and drinks. It's included in the first class fare.

[@gvbalajee]

I Love Croatia

[@buyuang_palala]

Suasana malam selalu bikin nyaman dan tenang. Salam dari Indonesia 🙏

[@Andrewjg_89]

Lovely sleeper train. And the journey is wonderful and breathtaking 😍

[@s125ish]

Sure is

[@ramirogarai]

Excellent journey

[@ps5home]

The Lake Walensee. Beautiful emerald green!

[@Banks231]

have ever took this train from Villach to Feldkirch, and the train back from Zurich. over 10 years ago in 2012 autumn

[@dannylam1687]

Nice view, this journey I would like to explore on my own one day. Thanks for sharing ❤️❤️❤️

[@abdullateef8988]

Great

[@MarkAHHDvideostreaming]

Nice video

[@AZqyc]

Nice trip you had there!! Really nice scenery in all the countries, pretty decent accommodations. Excellent video! Thanks for sharing! [Greetings from Tucson]

[@tristanstrains]

Great video. We plan trip to Switzerland soon. Just subscribed too

[@Trainspotting_Trips]

I‘ll take this train in August on my three-day trip to Zagreb and back to Zurich! I took this route multiple times in my life, last time in summer 2018. And I am excited to take the trip again! ☺️

[@robyoungquist5803]

Yes, a dining car would have been a great add to the consist. 👍🏻

[@hinanokia6607]

Nice video 📹

[@dinuranga11]

Amazing journey ✌✌✌💓💓💓

[@bernardbouzon5499]

Le premier wagon porte autos vient de villach, les deux autres sont accrochés à Schwarzach-St.Veit. Ils sont détachés à Feldkirch

[@Nazir-WalkAroundTheCity]

Good morning , Good job 🚂👌👍 I wish you good health and a nice day 🌞☕ Greetings Janusz from Warsaw, 🇵🇱 🖐️Poland ✌️

[@williammerry4746]

Good train beautiful trip. Austria and Switzerland have breathtaking views. But, Thibault, looks like you had a bad hairday when boarding. You need help.

[@jenniferalbert910]

Yay!

[@mrreddiamond8868]

As a Slovenian, I'm happy you finally visited our beautiful country ❤

[@johannesmuller5653]

its not a country, its a Municipality

[@mrreddiamond8868]

???

[@mrreddiamond8868]

Slovenia is a country

[@matthewjshow6563]

Putting on my to do list! Well done!

[@guntherqm1816]

The car transport wagon only runs from Villach to Feldkirch and previously there were only one CB/SV seating car going to Belgrade so sleeper passengers had to move to another coach in Zagreb to continue their trip toward Serbia

[@antarasinha8639]

How clean is everything in Europe! It's the best thing about the developed nations. In India, we can't even imagine and ever expect of that cleanliness in our stations. I often feel so frustrated in my country. The stations are so dirty here. If one travels in first class, one can expect a little about the train to be clean otherwise the trains are more dirty. People who take birth or get a chance to live in developed nations are really lucky in so many ways. And the journey was great with all the beautiful and wonderful sceneries or landscapes of Europe.

[@timnewman1172]

Thanks Thibault! Got to this a day late, but worth the wait... would love to have service like this in the US...

[@richardbezard3174]

Salut Thibaut! Encore merci pour tes vidéos, elles sont toujours super, et donne envie de voyage. Deux petits détail seulement : tu as fait une faute de frappe, je pense que Pierre C te filme depuis la gare de THALWIL, au bord du lac de Zurich. Et deuxième point, dans le tracé de la ligne au début de la vidéo, tu ne vas pas aussi loin au nord de Zurich, la ligne arrive vraiment au plus près de la gare centrale. A mon avis, tu as même du prendre le tunnel du Zimmerberg. Encore merci pour tout!! Et bon rail.

[@emmanuelphilippart4615]

Vive le train!!!🎉

[@mufflejoy]

Awesome! If this train had a dining car I would be on a plane to right now Zagreb :-)

[@raleighsheffield841]

First two weeks in Oct. 2022 I did somewhat the reverse of your trip. Zurich-Sargans (IC), Sargans-Salzburg(Railjet), Salzburg-Villach(IC) and Villach-Lesce Bled(415, Alpine Pearls, reverse of your train). Scenery was stunning, especially Salzburg to Villach. I had planned to take EC 163 from Zurich to Schwarzach-St. Viet thence connection to Villach but advance warning of track work made the connection iffy. So went via Salzburg on a late RJ, wound up in Villach at same time had I taken my first choice! Couple of days later bought ticket from Ljubjiana to Zagreb for the same 415, Alpine Pearls. Train was three hours late so made the decision to go FlixBus. In spite of a bus breakdown of about an hour I think I still arrived Zagreb before #415. As mentioned in comments, there is no longer viable rail service between Zagreb and Belgrade. Took Air Serbia for $74, 65 min flight to Belgrade. Rode new high speed Serbian "Falcon" between Belgrade and Novi Sad. A great service with Stadler equipment and a new Chinese financed railroad.

[@philip_quakyoutube3065]

Hello Simply Railway, I love your videos, especially if you travel to Switzerland. Can you please rewiew the DPZplus trains? These sre my favourite! Long live Simply Railway!! Greetings from Switzerland 🇨🇭

[@robertp.wainman4094]

Enjoyed your bus videos - do you have any on older Swiss FBW's, Berna and Saurers? I've long been an admirer of Swiss engineering.

[@hdufort]

I took that train and it was super comfy and nice.

[@csunil9963]

Awesome scenery !!

[@TankaNafaka]

Nothing beats night train between Kraljevo (serbia) - Bar(montenegro). Lots of tunnels, and morning scenary over Skadar lake was outstanding. Unfortunatly the line is discontinued after balkan wars.

[@EpicThe112]

The exact routing from Ljubiana to Buchs St Gallen Switzerland is the following Karawanken Bahn Ljubliana Jessenice Villach Drautalbahn Villach Spittal Tauernbahn Spittal Schwarzach Giselabahn Schwarzach Worgl SFS Innsbruck Rosenheim Worgl Innsbruck Arlbergbahn Innsbruck Bludenz and Vierlanderbahn (D A CH FL) Bludenz Buchs SG via Valduz Lichenstein and Feldkirch. OBB 1216 gets separated from the train at Schwarzach because The Zagreb sleeper gets attached to EN 464/465 Zurich See Graz-Feldkirch Zurich which has an OBB Baureihe 1116 unless the 1216 is coupled to 1116 for the Schwarzach to Buchs SG due to the steep sections of the Arlbergbahn. 9:30-10:30 the reason to why the 1116 is using the Front Pantograph is that the rear pantograph if used it will damage the cars and vans loaded on the Ddm 915/Laaers 560s. To prevent that damage switch to Front Pantograph.

[@111672balernabz2010]

interesting observations, the arlberg line really starts at landeck-zams, a continuous climb at 1/42 gradient for 20 miles uptp st anton am arlberg,at the eastern portal of the arlberg tunnel,normally a banker loco on the rear of the train couples on at landeck,or is doulbe headed at some point in austria,obb cl1216 are total of 25 locos in service sub class 0/1/2,for working into various neighbouring countries,DE,SLO,IT,CZ,SLK,AT.so the fleet of 25,split between villach,innsbruck,vienna depots.

[@EpicThe112]

@@111672balernabz2010 Thank you for the answer and at least what happened at Schwarzach was that the 1216 got coupled to the Zürichsee EN 464/465 which has a 1116/1016 rare MRCE/Dispolok 182 for the Climb over the Arlberg

[@Abnerbandanovotempoinscrito1mi]

Lindo trem locomotiva antigos bom que lugar bonito mesmo

[@wouterpaap9343]

Your train merged with the Nightjet from Graz to Zürich in Schwarzach-St.Veit. That train portion has a carwagon from Graz to Feldkirch. Sorry if you knew allready, but I was to lazy to scroll through 297 reactions :)

[@JmKrokY]

I wanna travel by trains again

[@dennisud]

1st Very scenic and beautiful. That blew my mind that less than 30 years ago this area was in a civil war! I agree this needs a dining car to make it even more popular!

[@osasunaitor]

Of the countries featured on this video, only Croatia fought in the Yugoslav war. Slovenia remained mostly out of the conflict

[@massafelipe8063]

@@osasunaitor On top of that area featured in this video never saw any real action apart from sporadic air raid siren. War was some 50-100 km southeast.

[@YASTravelsEatsWell]

Nice overnight trip!

[@bernardrenard6760]

Bonsoir, très bien...

[@bartduynstee1577]

Dear Simply Railway. Concerning your question about the cartransport wagon next to your car, when you woke up in the morning. Your train was overnight broken up in Austria and parts were added to other nighttrains. In your case the NightJet 464 Graz-Zurich, which accomodates cartransport wagons on the line Graz-Feldkirch. When you showed the engine change at Buchs SG, the carwagon was not there anymore, as it had been detached in Feldkirch, the last stop in Austria.

[@audiobibliotekara]

Dobro je to

[@hinanokia6607]

💝💝💝

[@bahiras]

Simply beautiful 😊

[@bernardrenard6760]

J ' ai fait récemment Milan Zurich, très beau voyage et ensuite Zürich Paris, tout cela après Monopoli-Milano Centrale avec l' Inter-City Notte.... Vive le retour des trains de nuit en Europe.... Un bon plan également est Bruxelles Berlin avec European SLEEPER que j ' ai fait en juin, a partir de mars 2024 il sera prolongé jusque Dresde et Prague

[@adamauxier4035]

I filmed this train in Vaduz (not the one you were on). What a cool collection of carriages!

[@ctwentysevenj6531]

The trip will go through three different voltages the train would use. Croatia: 25kv 50hz ac, Slovenia: 3kv DC ,Austria and Switzerland :15kv 16.7 Hz ac . The Croatian locomotive can only take 25kv. That's why there was a change of locomotive. The OBB Taurus 1216 class is a multivoltage and take all three voltages.