Virtual Railfan Tour of Switzerland - Friday - To Brunnen via Luzern


In our travels the Gotthard Pass is one of our favorite destinations, particularly the Classic route through Goschenen. It is possible to travel from Zurich via Arth-Goldau to Brunnen and on to Ersfeld but an attractive alternative is to take a train to Luzern and catch a boat to Brunnen.

The Luzern station is a stub arrangement with standard gauge lines on the left and narrow gauge lines on the right. The concourse is a couple of minutes walk from the ferry dock. All this is likely to change with a grand plan to tunnel under the lake and have through platforms under the existing.main station.

Looking st our recent pictures it is amazing how much has changed in the Luzern railway scene.
New electric switchers 

have replaced the older models
These narrow gauge Zentral line trains have been replaced by newer units

The Voralpen Express equipment has been replaced with modern stock.

The ferry takes us on  a very pleasant cruise.

There is a brief stop at Vitznau

Another alternative is to take the Riigi mountain railway from Vitznau across to Arth Goldau to get to Brunnen, but we decide to stay on the boat/
At Brunnen there is a pleasant walk though through the town to the station.

At first glance Brunnen does not appear very interesting. This is the main island platform with the main lines on either side. We are looking north here with the Gotthard tunnel behind us. What makes Brunnen interesting is the number of passenger and freight trains which have to be handled into and out of the Gotthard tunnel. The lines on the left are used to hold freight trains waiting a path into the tunnel.
An SBB Vectron passing through on its way to Italy

A DB class 185 held waiting clearance south

An SBB Re 6/6 running through. The main lines are bi-directional.

An SBB 610 Pendolino on its way to Milano.

SBB Cargo Re 6/6

An Italian 610 also heading for Milano

This double header is an Re 10/10
There is always something to see at Brunnen
Our onward train for the Gotthard is arriving as we watch a northbound freight depart.


 




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