Day 10 Friday - Transfer from Zurich to Olten


This train at Lugano is notable in that it was listed as running 35 minutes late. We didn't take this one. Every train we have taken so far was on time or less than a minute late.



Today was a transfer day from Zurich to Olten. This is only a short trip, so we decided to spice it up by going the long way around. We took a train directly from Zurich through the Gotthard and Cenari tunnels to Lugano on one of the new Giruno trains. This was our first trip through the recently opened Cenari tunnel. From Lugano we took a local train back to Bellinzona. Our return to Olten was on one of the new Gottardo trains running directly over the Gotthard pass line through Goschenen.

All Journeys were accomplished on time. We had seat reservations on the two long trips. The Girunos are excellent. They ride well and are quiet. The Gottardos are smooth riding but being a modified Flirt train they are not so comfortable as the Girunos. On the way down we noticed several fields of deer which are presumably bred for venison.

Our Giruno departing at speed at Lugano for Chiasso.

Our Gottardo at Bellinzona

South of the two tunnels in the Italian part of Switzerland  we noticed a greater use of stone for buildings, houses, churches etc. Some fences were made from large slates placed vertically. They looked like a series of tombstones side by side.

The climb to the old Gotthard tunnel includes four complete spirals and the scenery is quite spectacular.


North of the Tunnel at Goschenen there are the famous loops by which passengers pass three times the church at Wassen.
The journey through Arth Goldau and Luzern was very pleasant indeed passing many lakes. The train is easily timed yet I clocked it at 130 km/h several times. It was interesting to note that the trains accelerated into the new tunnels and ran through at about 130 km/h.

After checking into the hotel at Olten which is very convenient for the station we decided to make a short trip to visit a model railway store at Pratteln on the outskirts of Basel. The train was some eleven minutes late and lost further time. However, on the way back an additional train came along which was, in effect 17 minutes early. Go figure. 







Comments

  1. dj.vachonSeptember 2, 2022 at 11:13 AM

    Your travels are still going well. We are on our way from Quebec to Montreal for a few days. Wine is still full glass

    ReplyDelete

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