On the rails again… #Interrail #CrossBorderRail

And so begins today’s SOB story, one of the prettier parts of the journey, on the Voralpen Express, from St. Galen to Luzern, though in my case, it’s as far as Arth-Goldau.

I’m aboard a RABe 526 - a modified Stadler FLIRT3 known as a Traverso.

@moof https://graphics.social/@metin/116025329658755708

It’s very difficult to take pictures that do any of this justice.

The scenery keeps changing sides, and the train goes fast enough that by the time you try to line up a pretty picture, it’s gone past. Also, I am just sitting here and taking it in. Nevertheless, I shall attempt to do some photography.

Switzerland is pretty, very pretty, and the train lines are amazing. You should definitely add a train tour of the country to your bucket list.

@moof yikes for that window alignment

@moof I don't understand why Stadler split from their naming convention of KISS and FLIRT by going with Giruno for their high speed set. QUICKIE was right there...

At Rapperswil SG we cross the Zürichsee on a track that has been placed on a causeway that has divided the lake, the Rapperswill Seedamm.

It’s fun to look out the window and basically see the lake and barely anything else, as if you were floating above it.

On the side I left my camera though, the view was less intense…

(This is an attempt to show how difficult it is to take these pictures)

@bovine3dom @moof Giruno is the SBB name, Stadler calls the platform "SMILE"

…and that’s if you can get the camera to focus and see through the rain and reflections. I assure you this is a pretty view…

@moof

Die Andre die sitze im Bank wisawi
Dassi lang no chöi gseh, wo dr Zug scho isch gsi
Und dr Rügge zue cheere dr Richtig wo hi
Dr Zug fahrt

Itz schtellet nech vor, jede bhouptet eifach
So win ärs gseht, sigs richtig und scho heisi Krach
Si gäbe enander mit Schirme ufds Dach
Dr Zug fahrt

Und ou wenn dr Kondüktör itze no chunnt
So geit dr däm Sachverhalt nid ufe Grund
Är seit nume was für ne Ortschaft itz chunnt –
Sisch Rorschach!

And I’ve made onto my second SOB RABe 526 of the day, the Treno Gottardo, departing from Arth-Goldau, and where I will spend the next 2 and a half hours.

I’ve given up on photos, but I am still enjoying the views, even through the rain. Surprisingly little in the way of snow so far, though…

There are adverts on the train for “Treno Mistero”, billed as the first escape room on a train, which is played in the hour and a half between Arth-Goldau and Bellinzona.

You can purchase the game online, and play it on any train doing the route. The train staff will hand you a box with physical items, and you need a phone or tablet to play it, view videos, and take pictures.

It’s only available in German though, and costs 30CHF for a single player game or 60CHF for a “duell” version. It’s a different way of doing this route, and maybe a wet weather alternative.

More info here: https://unterwegs.sob.ch/en/stories/trenomistero