Colin Churcher 2020

Being a land locked country Switzerland receives a large number of trains from other countries.  At one time there were problems because of the different overhead power systems used. Austria, Germany and Switzerland use 15,000V AC, France uses 25,000V AC, Italy uses 3,000V DC. In addition, Switzerland requires a different pantograph than other countries.  In the past this frequently required locomotive changes at borders.  However, technological advances now ensure that trains can run under different systems so that today we see a variety of other countries' trains running into many parts of Switzerland. Train a Grande Vitesse (TGV) France. The most common location to see TGVs is Zurich.  These are run under the Lyria banner and the ownership is shared between the SBB and the SNCF  The most frequent service is from Paris via Basel, a TGV duplex is seen here heading for Zurich at Liestal Lausanne is another regular destination with some trains extended towards Martigny in the winter

Chavornay station is just south of Yverdon-les-Bains on the main line to Lausanne and Geneva.  This is the junction of the short (4 km) line to Orbe which is now run by TRAVYS (Transports Vallee du Joux Yverdon-les-Bains Sainte Croix). The line is unique in Switzerland as it is standard gauge but powered by 750V  DC. All other standard gauge lines in Switzerland are powered by 15,000V AC. The line generates significant freight traffic, including Nestles,  which must be hauled to the junction by the line's own electric vehicles or diesels. This short video gives a good idea of the small railcar and trailer making its way through the countryside and associated industries. We will take the train through to Orbe. Chavornay Orbe is set on a hill overlooking the wide plain At Orbe we see the second railcar However, the real surprise is the amount of intriguing equipment which is lying around Most intriguing of all was when we got off the train at Orbe the driver realized we were interest

The Waldenburgerbahn runs from Liestal, on the mainline just south of Basel to Waldenburg.  It has the unusual gauge 750 mm gauge which is not used elsewhere in Switzerland on a regular railway operation.  The trains run on 1500V DC. The line is now part of the Basel regional transport system and the seven trains, built between 1985 and 1993 are nearing the end of their useful life.  It would be uneconomic to buy brand new equipment for this gauge and so the decision has been taken to change the gauge to meter, improve the trackage to allow more frequent operation and provide new trains, presumably similar to those used in Basel. This work is due to be completed in 2023 so let us enjoy the old 750 gauge system. Trains start from a stub end platform in Liestal with a cross platform transfer.  On the left can be seen the work already in hand to expand the Liestal station. This video contains a complete cab ride over the entire line,  It also contains a useful map. Note at the start out o

The  Schinznacher Baumschulbahn is a garden center which has a railway running through it.  It is open at weekends but is used for horticultural purposes during the week.  The best way to get there is to take the hourly Post Bus from Brugg railway station.   There is an impressive workshop, crammed full of two foot gauge locomotives. A tram locomotive The steam locomotive of the day is on the ready track The afternoon crowds can be heavy so several diesels are also available to haul trains. Nice Edmondson card tickets are used The garden center takes up a lot of room and the layout is very complex Let's go for a ride behind this Henschel steam locomotive Trains start and finish at this station An interesting part of the ride is through the greeenhouses Just imagine having lunch in a greenhouse and watching steam trains pass. With lunch finished you can come to the lake and watch trains meet and pass each other We have saved the best until last. An earlier picture in the shop showed