Railtrail Main Brochure 2024

L ake G eneva S pring S team

DAY 1 Travelling by Eurostar from London, via Brussels and Köln, to Basel before continuing the short distance to Olten .We check into our hotel for the evening located next to the train station and enjoy our first evening meal together in the old town area. (D) DAY 2 Today, after breakfast, we travel to Lucerne and journey through classic alpine scenery over the historic Brünig Pass to Brienz to ride steam up the rack line to Planalp , situated in stunning natural surroundings. Later in the day, we will continue to Interlaken to travel to Montreux arriving through the phenomenal new gauge changer where technology allows for all axles to be changed from standard to meter gauge. We will travel onwards to Vevey to stay for five nights at the Astra Hotel where our luggage will have been transferred directly from Olten and we will enjoy our evening meal together. (B, D) DAY 3 After breakfast this morning, we will depart Vevey by one of the vintage paddle steamers to Château de Chillon perched on the rocky outcrop on the edge of the lake. Entrance is included into this picturesque fort which originally guarded the strategic road through the gauge changer from Interlaken to Montreux ★ Enjoy a full, action-packed day at the Blonay Chamby Steam Festival ★ Witness a triple-headed steam train ★ Rare experience to ride a double-headed steam train ★ Sail across Lake Geneva on a vintage paddle steamer ★ Ride on a vintage railcar charter ★ Stunning views of the beautiful Rhine Valley Also included in your Tour Fare: ★ Dinner every evening ★ Services of experienced Railtrail Tour Manager TOUR HIGHLIGHTS ★ Discover the wonderfully scenic Brünig Pass ★ Visit three fantastic steam railways ★ Experience a ride through the phenomenal new

Railtrail’s new and exciting tour introduces four engines in steam plus three further steam lines and lake steamers wrapped in one great rail holiday. Perfect for any dedicated steam enthusiasts! Enjoy a major steam festival and a vintage railcar charter in scenic Switzerland staying in a superb hotel in Vevey on the beautiful shores of Lake Geneva.

Fares From £2499

Blonay Chamby

© Michael Muller.

Alpine passes as a Roman outpost using both Lake Geneva and a moat created between a small island and the mainland for defence.Afterwards, we cross the lake to the charming village of Le Bouveret and visit the Swiss Vapeur Parc , a huge miniature railway created in 120,000 man-hours featuring steam and diesel trains attracting model railway fans from all across Europe. Following our experience at this beautiful park, we return to Vevey by paddle steamer. (B, D) DAY 4 Today, we take a train the short distance to Blonay to witness the magnificent triple-headed steam train depart to Chamby before we, ourselves, travel to Aigle . Here, in the station forecourt, our vintage 1914 railcar charter awaits to take us into the hills for spectacular views over the metre gauge line through Sépey to Les Diablarets .We will discover little by little the mountain of Diablerets which will be revealed before our eyes through circular tunnels and staggering viaducts

along the route of this traditional alpine train before returning to Vevey for our evening meal. (B, D) DAY 5 Today takes us by rail along the shores of Lake Geneva to Lausanne and onwards to the quaint village of Hinwil for the weekend steam-hauled trains to Bauma and return. We have included a day pass on the line and, with two engines in steam, there is plenty of opportunity for riding and photography, capturing the beauty and history. After a day of exploring, we return to our hotel and enjoy our evening meal together. (B, D) DAY 6 Enjoy a full, action-packed day at the Blonay-Chamby Steam Festival featuring now fewer than four engines in steam.We start our experience with a rare double headed steam ride from Vevey to their depot at Chaulin before having the opportunity using the day

Brunig Pass

Rhine Valley

© Leonid Andronov

© Damien Verrier

Book now – online at www.railtrail.co.uk or telephone: 01538 382323

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