Switzerland. New BLS train service

[M. Hardy-Randall]

With the opening of the high speed service Lötschberg tunnel from Frütigen to Visp, traffic on the old railway line via Kandersteg and Goppenstein will diminish. IC/EC/ICE traffic will be rerouted through the new tunnel along with much of the freight traffic. However, if you are a fan of the old route do not worry, as a new passenger service comes into operation on the 14th December with the new annual timetable. Every hour at 12 mins past the 'RegioExpress Lötschberger' will leave Spiez for Brig via Kandersteg and Goppenstein, with a return journey from Brig at 36 mins past every hour.

The trains are new stock.

The concept is for a new service from Bern to the south with connections to the MOB and Montreux. The trains will consist of three four coach [RABe 4/10 535 101-113] units departing from Bern to Spiez where the last unit of four coaches will reverse onto the Spiez - Zweisimmen line for the connection to Montruex via the MOB. The remaining two 4 coach units will continue via the mountain line to Brig. On the reverse journey the two RABe units will join at Spiez the single RABe unit that arrived from Zweisimmen and proceed to Bern.

Malcolm

Corrected due to a translation error by me.