Golden Pass Express - Switzerland's most LUXURIOUS and INNOVATIVE train

Hallo!
Since 2022, the Golden Pass Express has become one of the most innovative trains in Switzerland, thanks to its revolutionary gauge-changing bogies, which allow passengers to travel from Montreux to Interlaken without changing trains... well, at least that was the plan!
Enjoy, and don't forget to like/leave a comment to help the channel :-)
- TRIP INFORMATION -
Date: MAY 2023
Railway company: MOB and BLS
Route : Montreux to Interlaken Ost
Time : 3h16
Price : 49 CHF (Cost of the seat reservation with an Interrail pass)
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00:34 : Intro
00:47 : The Golden Pass Express
03:29 : Boarding
03:53 : Seat check
05:22 : Departure and trip information
05:55 : Climbing up / breakfast with a view
07:52 : Jaman Pass
08:48 : Straight to Gstaad
11:08 : Switzerland you're so gorgeous
11:48 : Mid roll ads
12:27 : Walkthrough
13:47 : Toilets Time
14:16 : Zweissimen
15:16 : Down to Interlaken via Lake Thun
16:11 : Thoughts
16:32 : Outro

[@hanzzarkov7690]

Just lovely. Excellent services. Nicely produced, thx for sharing!

[@Libraryguy09]

I took that trip in bith directions in 2012. Fortunate for a front seat in the Panoramic Car both ways. Got some terrific photos, too!

[@Fan652w]

The variable-gauge trains are now operating through from Interlaken to Montreux. I travelled on one from Spiez to Montreux on April 25! I travelled first class using my first class Swiss Travel Pass and I did not pay any supplement. However, I cannot see variable-gauge trains operating anywhere else. The gauge-changing equipment adds considerably to the weight of the trains. On this Montreux-Interlaken route, which is a relatively less busy route compared to other lines in Switzerland, the trains are limited to four carriage (and not incorporated into the taktfahrplan). Anyone thinking that we are now going to see through Zurich to St Moritz or Zurich to Davos trains is badly mistaken.

[@z00h]

This technology is used in many places around the world, I'm assuming you meant you can't see this being deployed anywhere else in Switzerland, right?

[@Fan652w]

@@z00h Switzerland is the only place where this particular type of technology is used to change between metre and standard gauge. The rather different TALGO technology is used extensively in Spain to change between Iberian and Standard gauge,

[@scottyerkes1867]

Great looking train. Nice interior. Beautiful scenery. Food should be included in Prestige Class. Thanks Thibault.💚👌👍💚

[@petethefeet1461]

how could anyone take a nap in those wonderful recliners with a view like that

[@lesajohnson8409]

Out of all of your journeys, this one is my favorite so far. Just breathtaking beautiful

[@eluu6548]

I'm so blessed to commute every new day with the MOB😊

[@DB-ug1pr]

Switzerland is beautiful & pristine. Thanks for taking us along.

[@djstormrider7998]

Greetings from Zweisimmen! I live here🇨🇭👌😎

[@pnwlion9337]

When I grow up I want to be THAT train driver 😮

[@ricksipes2026]

Thibault, thanks for putting this up. I'll be taking this train in August from Interlaken to Montreux after a week in Interlaken. Then a week in La Belle France! Glad I booked first-class instead of Prestige. I agree, for the money diff, you should get breakfast.

[@arxligion]

took this last summer. was very cool

[@johndornoff]

Had the opportunity to ride the new Golden Pass in April 2023. The new train was only running on the narrow gauge section of the line because there were issues with the gauge changing equipment just like this trip. However, it did not take away from what a beautiful journey it was in the opposite direction to Montreaux.

[@samtrak1204]

Stunning scenery.

[@theobrattinga500]

Great video !!

[@Noah-qh6ow]

Even if travelling with interrail pass, you don‘t need a reservation in second class and „normal“ first class. You can just get into the train. But mine that the second class can get really full, especially when travelling in summer

[@JohnLeeming23]

I travelled on this route on 23rd April, amidst the mist and the snow. I had a first-class Interrail pass, and did not need to reserve a seat. Food was supposedly provided , and an attendant brought round a menu, but the failure of the gauge-change mechanism meant it wasn't pursued (except for a pre-booked group in Prestige class), because we had to change trains at Zweisimmen. Nevertheless, a great journey.

[@Steven_20031]

You should do a 4/5 parter review between montreaux in France and montrose in Scotland, it can actually be done by rail in under 24 hours

[@cestmoi1262]

You would know since you just did it on @Steve-Marsh. Am I correct?

[@Steven_20031]

@@cestmoi1262 yeah, watched his video lol, would be a good little mini series for thibault, potentially using night trains like the Caledonian sleeper

[@bhuvan2584]

Nice and informative video..

[@theobrattinga500]

Another great video !!

[@ringo7561]

Cool train ride....do they serve beer? 🍺 🍻

[@Luigi-uj5ml]

Grazie.

[@percismehta8959]

Yr videos r indeed nice. Thanks for the effort that goes in mkg them. Nothing comes easy.

[@Abnerbandanovotempoinscrito1mi]

Boa tarde simplys trem lindo ótimo video

[@luisstransport]

Great video

[@johnmehaffey9953]

Swiss mechanical thinking if it can be done we’ll do it no need to change trains just sit back and marvel at our engineers 😊, nice post thibault

[@josephr9551]

Gorgeous train! Gorgeous views!

[@patricklueb122]

Hallo! Love your channel. It i the "window" i look at while I am working. I have question about your merch. Is there an SSB nightjet team?

[@michaelhall8586]

What beautiful flowers

[@annlander]

Great report and loved your airport observation. 👍 I wonder why one 1st Class carriage was crowded and the other one was almost empty? 🤔

[@Fan652w]

The crowded carriage was probably a pre-booked party.

[@cestmoi1262]

One man's owl is another man's nightingale. Remember: we are preaching "diversity"!

[@joaoaime9723]

Switzerland is so beautiful and I live there

[@romeohylton]

amazing video! keep up the good work!

[@rezaalan3991]

Great trip

[@kristinajohansson1351]

Beautiful video!

[@allebello6785]

Fantastic video❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@user-cc5mu7to8e]

It is nice to see the new interior, BUT, nothing can replace the wonderful exclusive cabin at either end of the older Panoramic Express. Did this twice in 2012 and 2017 and the view out the front window was amazing. Shame that is no longer an option. Still like to ride it though.

[@oskarsrode2167]

I traveled in August on Interrail, first Montreux-Zweisimmen, walked back on the panoramic trail along the mountain tops and continued from Schönried to Spiez. None of them required the expensive seat reservation. My guess is that they must double as regional trains where there are none. Maybe someone from Switzerland can confirm it?

[@ninyaninjabrifsanovichthes45]

That gauge-changing technology could be quite useful for trains from Europe to Russia and other former Soviet countries.

[@felixtheswiss]

The difference to russian broad gauge is much smaler and easyer to overcome. The spanish Talgo does it for decades.

[@aum1083]

Worst thing would be those other tourists in that expensive prestige compartment talking loudly and non-stop for the whole trip instead of just be quiet and enjoy the scenery.

[@LeynaBajaj]

oh no people are talking. the horror!!!

[@velda205]

Šestá from Borcad, in Czechia!! 🤩

[@eottoe2001]

TY

[@basbhv]

Thank you again for this beautiful video. How do people in wheelchairs get onto this new train?

[@ferroviestazioni7323]

🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉

[@tjittekamminga5170]

great, but I prefer wintertime AND the Glacier Express with champagne etc. alike in 1st Class flights

[@aoilpe]

9:51 Château d’Oex , home of the Picard family….higher,deeper , further…😂

[@bradfordtownley9363]

Are the operations limited in winter b/c of the steep grades?

[@Luigi-uj5ml]

During the months in which it was necessary to change trains in Zweisimmen, travelers who had purchased Prestige class tickets from Montreux to Interlaken Ost were accommodated in which class on the BLS train from Zweisimmen to Interlaken Ost? Did they get a refund? Thanks again for your availability and collaboration

[@iamthestig1]

Of course they wouldn't the Swiss are fantastically corrupt and love taking your money. Its one of the things they are most famous for.

[@djtonio46]

a little correction : the maximal grade on MOB line is 70‰ 😉

[@nolunchiseverfree]

It’s interesting that the MOB loco was running with both pantographs raised.

[@chefchaudard3580]

At low speed and high power, it makes sense.

[@jfmezei]

Except for Prestige Class, what are the differeces between Golden Pass Express and Panoramic? Would seats in coach/first be the same? same service/food? Would the trains be mechanically identical with just cosmetic differences in the front? (and how is it driven in reverse if there are passengers where there would be the driver? )

[@marklee1194]

"We all came out to Montreux On the Lake Geneva shoreline..." - Deep Purple, Smoke on the Water

[@jfmezei]

I had been told the reason for the fancy height changing was about rules on accessibility to be available at all stations in both gauges/station height. But since the cars hace stairs that deploy, does accessibility really matter? it isn't as if the trains were fluch with platform height, at which point changing height makes sense. Do you have any info on how often the gauge changing is skipped in favour for transfering to another train? is it unreliable? or were there still teething problems when you took it and it is now reliable every day, no matter the weather?

[@samtrak1204]

How do you compare Prestige Class seats with Trenitalia's Exceutive Class?

[@damcoentertainment3956]

You don't

[@stanstantalent.5605]

I'm just busy listening to the background commentary lol. Rare to randomly hear hindi in a yt video. The scenery is stunning and so is the train, tho I don't really see what's so prestige about the seats lol.

[@DhanushDS]

Okay, 5:15 the high class Hindi surprised me there

[@nici11998888]

Wunderschöner Zug, allerdings verstehe ich das Konzept der Prestigeklasse nicht!

[@jfmezei]

Who so the swiss builder? Toblerone, of course 🙂 Oh wait, they aren't Swiss anymore, they are a Kraft (Mondelez) brand 😞

[@stevenward4162]

Liked your train trip video, BUT, as an aviation enthusiast also, I certainly disliked your uncalled-for "stupid airport" comment @ the 11:17 mark! After all, if you are trying to promote travelers/enthusiasts from other parts of the world to come to Switzerland to travel on these beautiful Swiss train journeys, then they are most certainly going to have to take an airliner from an airport to get here (regardless of whether you think it's stupid or not)! Smaller airports like the one you showed in your video, do indeed serve important purposes too! I invite you to look up all reasons for yourself on the merits of an airport (big or small) and what they bring for communities!

Yeah, a lot of train fan people hate flying with all their guts. I too like both. Both have their advantages and drawbacks, vibes and window views.

[@lesajohnson8409]

Where is Millie?

[@WinterSummerTrainspotting]

you paid 49 swiss Francs in Prestige for Montreux - Interlaken?! And it wasn't crowded?! Man... last year I paid double the amount and no breakfast. It was crowded, chances were high that I couldn't book the seats and the train broke down in Zwisimmen! What happened to this train in just 1 year... Couldn't be the advertising eventually steamed off? I can't otherwise explain the half price and lack of passengers...

[@wednesdayyyyy]

4:46 people speaking Hindi…Happy to see Indians On Board Lol! 7:10 Indian conservative mind😂😂

[@johnnybrave7443]

😂

[@aum1083]

13:30 Those tourist are very disrespectful towards others, they just left their stuff in the middle of the isle. There was enough space in the compartment for that suitcase, and I'm sure that baby carriage is foldable.

[@asqenc-2200]

Bonjour. Vous êtes français mettez au moins un sous titre en français pour tous les francophones

[@teimey1392]

Mec c'est faux 23 promille le MOB est une de la plus raide chemin de fer en monde!!!! Tu as un raidité de 72 promille ~7.2 percent!

[@garywilson9640]

Some body asked me this...For Airplanes there is THE MILE HIGH CLUB. Is there anything similar for Railroads? My guess would be something like ROCKING THE RAILS CLUB... But I've never heard that term used before. Are there any members here of both those Clubs willing to admit it? 😊 For me..."Yes" in both cases. Several times on one of them over the other. Guess which one 😊 We are heading to New Zealand in June...ummmmm.

[@samtrak1204]

A "luxury" train without decent food service? I don't expect to board the Golden Pass Express with a take-out bag.

[@keithparker5125]

Why do American (I'm assuming the nationality from the background conversation) tourist buy these expensive and beautiful trips only to spend the journey on their phones? I, once, did a trip to Arosa where an American tourist did the whole trip with the window blind down so they could both play video games - such a waste of money and a wonderful journey.

[@Fan652w]

I have had similar experiences. But the worse case was a mature Amrican man about 50, I met on a St Moritz to Chur train. He was a civil engineer by profession. However he was totally unaware that the line we were travelling on had such splendid engineering that it is a UNESCO world heritage site!

[@thebestevertherewas]

The people in the background were Pakistani Americans. Noisy Bunch

[@cestmoi1262]

I agree with you completely, but I feel it is for the same reason that some vloggers tout night trains to the hilt. Ok for a business man but as a visitor my view is to the outside for the time it takes to get to my destination.

[@johnnybrave7443]

​@@Fan652w lol, that's the glacier express or the Bernina express His loss 😂

[@percismehta8959]

My passport n Babas expired 5 yrs ago. Saheb said dont renew it. Mine was for 10 yrs n i never got to visit even Nepal, Bhutan, B. Desh, Sri Lanka or for that matter Pakistan. What is the sense of hvg a passport if u dont hv the notes/cash flow. Babas was for five.

[@ABCantonese]

Dang, how French of you to start dissing at the military airfield the second you enter the German speaking area. 😂😜😜

[@percismehta8959]

I am not interested in the Prestige Class. Reserve it for the Indians - for indians only.