Luzern to Engelberg with Die Zentralbahn in the panorama coach

Before I travel to Interlaken, I just have time to take the train up to Engelberg and back from Luzern. I went up a couple of days ago and now the sun is shining, I think I really should go back.
This metre gauge line runs up (and through) the mountain to get people to the ski resort of Engelberg and, as I have a first class Interrail pass, I can travel in the panorama coach up at the front.
Departure: Luzern, Switzerland
Destination: Engelberg, Switzerland
Distance: 33 km / 20.5 miles
Duration: 43 mins
Average speed: 46 km/h 29 mph
Example cost: Adult single
1st Class: €63 / £54
2nd Class: €35 / £30
Date of Travel: March 2024
Operator: Die Zentralbahn (zb)
Motive power: HGe 4/4 II - adhesion/cog electric loc
Entered service: 1989
Thank you to everyone that supports the channel by subscribing, liking, commenting or just watching these videos. I really appreciate it!

[@horsehollerer]

Beautiful! On a slightly whingey note, it takes a very special type of person to pull the blind down in an observation car on such a beautiful clear day. IMHO. 😉

[@JohnnyHooverTravels]

Oh the blind thing was annoying and pretty sad. They took a few photos then dropped the blind so they could see their phones properly... what can I say? Part 2 will be coming out soon. Maybe as soon as later today!

[@trailwayt9H337]

This video for journey from Luzern to Angelberg is watching ❤️from India

[@JohnnyHooverTravels]

Thank you so much for watching over in India. Best wishes from Devon in the UK 👍

[@aoilpe]

I like that line

[@JohnnyHooverTravels]

Yes, it is very lovely 👍

[@PeteG143]

Thank you. Your latest Swiss videos have some of the most beautiful scenery.

[@JohnnyHooverTravels]

thank you that's very kind of you. Thank you too for watching 👍

[@Zomerset]

The Swiss countryside with the Mountains in the background looks amazing. Switzerland is on small list of countries that I really want to go to.

[@JohnnyHooverTravels]

Yes, it is really just as good as people say it is. I was not disappointed, even on the days the weather wasn't bright and sunny! Thanks for watching 👍

[@ampersand.]

The word `coach` initially jumped out and I wondered if Mark had dragged you onto a bus for this one :D What a gloriously scenic trip, thanks for taking us along. Have a great weekend!

[@JohnnyHooverTravels]

Don't worry. I've got quite a lot of bus trips to edit up, thanks to the inspiration from Mark... ...it was a cracking day. Part 2 will be out very soon as a special weekend bonus...

[@phronsiekeys]

better in the sunshine!

[@JohnnyHooverTravels]

Definitely. Follow on video will be out very soon...

[@thomasfenton2279]

Love watching your channel . I’ve camped many of times on the banks of lake Lucerne . It’s great seeing so many place names that are familiar. Such a beautiful part of the world. The beer there is great as well. It’s great to watch your videos , so relaxing

[@JohnnyHooverTravels]

Thank you. What s nice thing to say. And thank you too for watching 👍

[@WINGSANDRAILS]

Another one for the wishlist! ;-)

[@JohnnyHooverTravels]

your list, like mine, is probably very long indeed. 🤷🏻‍♂ we'll just have to keep travelling then! 😁

[@WINGSANDRAILS]

@@JohnnyHooverTravels absolutry

[@kevincollis2632]

Superb JH

[@JohnnyHooverTravels]

Thank you, very nice of you. Thanks, as ever, for watching one of my videos in this crowded space called KZbin 👍

[@enricomonti156]

I remember when I visited Bern, Thun, and Interlaken in 2022 the Aare River had pretty strong currents but some locals told me that they still love to swim in there and they use a water proof floating bag to store their belongings and let the currents take them. Lovely scenic rail overall and indeed cog rails aren't that common anymore in most Europe and Switzerland is the exception with their mountain rails

[@JohnnyHooverTravels]

The area around Interlaken is truly lovely. That's my next destination and the video will be out very soon. Thanks for watching this one 👍

[@peterdnreynolds777]

Brilliant video and beautiful scenery!! Hope all is well, take care

[@JohnnyHooverTravels]

Thanks Peter. Thanks for watching 👍

[@johncrwarner]

I love the adverts on the Zentralbahn because they are in the Bernese Oberland dialect I have never done the Zentralbahn to Engelberg but have several times done the journey between Luzern and Interlaken which is interesting. Looking forward to the next installment.

[@JohnnyHooverTravels]

Thanks John. as you can tell I'm not a student of the local languages, so it's lovely that you add a little more colour to the videos by providing that insight. The next instalment is coming along very soon indeed! Thanks for watching this one 👍

[@johncrwarner]

@@JohnnyHooverTravels Well Swiss German is a bizarre language as even German TV puts subtitles on and sometimes the speakers do not say a single sound that corresponds with the High German forms. I have literally just finish watching your trip over the pass and like you - I think it is beautiful.

[@richmills1]

Great stuff John

[@JohnnyHooverTravels]

Thanks Rich! Hope you are keeping well and everything. Best wishes to you and yours 👍

[@Kulla1berg]

Excellent video. I remembered when I did this journey for many years ago that there, if I remember correct two ruck sections

[@JohnnyHooverTravels]

Thanks! Did you do it prior to the opening of the long tunnel? I suspect the old route round by the road and river will have maybe had two sections?

[@Kulla1berg]

I did the journey back in 1998 and if I remember it correctly was there at least one huge gradient section with rack rail, but deep in my memory bank in my brain was there also a minor section of rack But it was a funny memory of switching from normal rail to rack rail

[@JohnnyHooverTravels]

@@Kulla1berg I had a look in Wikipedia and i think your memory does indeed agree with what the line used to be like 👍

[@Fan652w]

Thank you for a very interesting video. But if it had been me speaking at the beginning of the video. I would have said, 'It is a lovely day for a trip on Swiss public transport, all of it free on my 'Swiss Travel Pass',' It is also worth stressing that at Luzern (and Zurich) the lake boats run all the year round.

[@JohnnyHooverTravels]

haha, of course! Should we ever meet, we can discuss the pros and cons of the different passes. You have to remember, I paid a lot less than you would with a STP. The point is always, which kind of travel you are going to do. I've no doubt the STP works best for many people, but my Interrail ticket (at only £312) has given me a week in Switzerland in March and will also provide me with a trip through Italy, Austria, the Czech Republic and Hungary in May. You have to agree, that aint bad for just £312! I have promised to discuss the various ticket options, and I will do so on my final trip report of the series. In the meantime, whatever differences of opinion we have, you have my continued thanks for sticking with the channel and watching the videos... oh and also for your very helpful advice for future Swiss trips. 👍

[@dgu8240]

Those privat cablecars are mostly for mountain agriculture. To bring down the cheese and hay during summer. Rarely used for people, if at all, only farmers.

[@JohnnyHooverTravels]

Thanks, that makes sense. Best wishes to you and thanks for watching 👍

[@Sim0nTrains]

Weather is better than it has been, nice journey but shame about the fire.

[@JohnnyHooverTravels]

Thanks Simon. It was a fun start to the day, apart from the fire... Thanks for watching another 👍

[@katashworth41]

As a ski jumping nerd I’d have been off to climb the hill, Engelberg is the easiest to get to by train.

[@JohnnyHooverTravels]

haha - yes, my daughter is a skier and she'd have been straight up the lifts! However, I'm mostly about the trains... mind you there is one video where I try a bit of snowboarding... Thanks for watching 👍

[@DrErikEvrard]

You actually pronounced "Wolfenschiessen" (which means as much as "Wolf shooting"), as "Wolfenscheissen" (which means "Wolf shitting") 😆 Nice video!

[@JohnnyHooverTravels]

Yes. I have caused much hilarity with that! 🤷‍♂️ Thank you so much for watching 👍

[@DrErikEvrard]

@@JohnnyHooverTravels I've lived many years in Switzerland, and have extensively travelled across their network. I'm happy you're also discovering it now! By the way, Meiringen is currently a dead end, because the valley ends a bit further down, and then there's a steep mountain range. But you may have heard of the Grimsel tunnel project. If this would happen, the line from Meiringen would be extended south, go through a tunnel, and be connected in Oberwald with the other 1-metre gauge network that connects Zermatt with Chur/Tirano/St Moritz/Scuol and Arosa. It would be the largest 1-metre gauge train network in the world! The initial plan of the Grimsel tunnel is to replace electricity cables that currently go over the mountains by underground cables. But if you're boring a tunnel anyway, you might as well make it a little bigger so that a train would fit, too. It will cost an awful lot of money, but it would be absolutely fabulous. www.grimseltunnel.ch/bahn/ (only in German and French I'm afraid)

[@Slithermotion]

4:05 wolfenscheissen? You mean wolfenschiessen? One means wolf poop the other wolf shooting.

[@Elibuwu]

Also "die Zentralbahn" as if that's a threat

[@Iam_3di]

Die Zentralbahn and Wolfenscheissen were the best part of the video. Couldn‘t stop laughing

[@JohnnyHooverTravels]

haha - all of you, I hope you had a great laugh at my dreadful language skills - honestly I'm so sorry I messed it up... what can I say! oh well, maybe I should stick to UK videos... (although I get some of the town names wrong in those too) Best wishes to you all and thank you so much for watching (and laughing) 👍

[@DrErikEvrard]

@@JohnnyHooverTravels Welsh names aren't the easiest either!

[@JohnnyHooverTravels]

@@DrErikEvrard or Scottish and Irish ones!