An exciting one-off tour with some of the most iconic steam, vintage diesel and ancient electric locomotives in Switzerland, plus paddle steamers on beautiful mountain lakes.

• A unique programme of private charter trains with incredible locomotives on scenic routes, which for operational reasons cannot be repeated!
• Highlights include a private steam charter to the summit of Mount Rigi at Lake Lucerne and a vintage 1919 SBB ‘Crocodile’ over the steep banks of the Gotthard summit route.
• Enjoy private charters with rare, historic locomotives on the scenic and hilly Chemin de Fer du Jura (CJ) and Appenzeller Bahnen networks, in the west and east of Switzerland, including “Pocket Crocodile” locomotives.
• Take a trip aboard the semi-streamlined BLS Green Arrow, an icon of the mid 20th century and ride this delightful railcar sitting next to the driver in the cab on ‘rare track’ along the military branch line to Bure, near the French border.
• The tour is conveniently based at the attractive railway junction Olten throughout and includes a 4-day Swiss Travel Pass, allowing you total mobility and comfortable travel freedom on Switzerland’s wonderful railway network and public transportation system.

Wednesday 18 November 

London to Olten by rail

You travel by Eurostar Plus from London St. Pancras to Paris Gare du Nord. You then continue from Paris by TGV to Basel, arriving in Switzerland by late afternoon. From there you continue on an SBB train for the short distance to Olten. You check into your hotel near the station and the historic old town and have time to relax before a welcome dinner is provided.(D)

Thursday 19 November

Steam charter at Mount Rigi, Stoos Railway and Lake Lucerne

After breakfast at the hotel you set off on a scenic cruise from Lucerne to Vitznau aboard a comfortable and warmly heated ferry that provides excellent sightlines of the surrounding mountains. Then you steam to the summit of Mount Rigi with the beautiful, vintage 1923 tank engine No.16. This elegant, green icon will push your private charter train to the summit at Rigi-Kulm, with photo stops and time to enjoy the views at the summit. After returning to Arth-Goldau in the early afternoon, you may visit the nearby Stoos Railway, which is the steepest funicular in the world with near vertical gradients of 110%! Alternatively, you may use the flexibility of your SwissPass to explore the country and its railway wonders at your own pace. (B)

Friday 20 November

A ‘Pocket Crocodile’ in Appenzell

This morning you uncover one of Switzerland’s hidden railway treasures – the little red trains of Appenzell – as they wind into the foothills of Säntis. This charming narrow-gauge network showcases the very best of Swiss rail travel. Your privately chartered heritage train, operated by Appenzell Railways, is hauled by a vintage 1912 electric “Pocket Crocodile” locomotive with two historic green coaches from the former Säntis Railway. The journey runs from Gossau via Herisau and Appenzell to the terminus at Wasserauen, passing rolling hills and picturesque villages along the way. After lunch in Wasserauen and a visit to the local railway museum, you return on the panoramic metre-gauge rack railway from Gais to Altstätten, enjoying sweeping views towards the Alps of Austria and Liechtenstein. Alternatively, your Swiss Travel Pass allows time for independent exploration in the region. (B L)

Saturday 21 November

SBB Crocodile 13254 on the Gotthard summit route

Another unique highlight awaits as you travel on one of the most famous and iconic locomotives in the world, with the green SBB Crocodile 13254 from 1919. This classic, genuine ‘Croc’ was exhibited at the Swiss Museum of Transport in Luzern from 1982 to 2025 and is only returning to active service for the first time in decades in 2026. It will haul your private charter train over the horseshoe curves of the Gotthard summit route from Erstfeld to Göschenen and back, including the steep 2.6% gradients. After the full-round trip with attractive photo stops, you still have a free afternoon to make good use of your Swiss Travel Pass. (B)

Sunday 22 November

Ancient electric locomotives in the scenic Franches Montagnes near France

The rolling green hills of the Franches-Montagnes, close to the French border, provide a magnificent backdrop for today’s first private charter train on the extensive Chemins de fer du Jura narrow-gauge network. Your charter train is initially hauled over the steeply graded ascent from Tavannes to Le Noirmont by vintage red electric locomotive No.401, dating from 1952. Passing through tranquil farmland and idyllic forests, the line steadily gains altitude, reaching almost 1,000 metres above sea level.Several photo stops are planned en route before the train changes direction at the junction at Le Noirmont. At Pré-Petitjean depot, there is an opportunity to visit the collection of preserved rolling stock. A change of traction then takes place, with the ancient green locomotive No.122 from 1916 taking over for the journey to the end of the line at Glovelier. A freshly-cooked lunch is served on the train today. From Glovelier you will be free to use your Swiss Travel Pass to explore more of northwestern Switzerland. (B L)

Monday 23 November

On the BLS ‘Green Arrow’ over ‘rare track’ on the military branch line to Bure

Today brings one of the most exciting highlights of your tour – a journey aboard one of Switzerland’s most charismatic historic railcars, the 1953 Green Arrow. Travelling along a secondary line from Burgdorf via Solothurn, you pass through the recently reopened Weissenstein Tunnel to Moutier, continuing to Delémont and Saint-Ursanne, where a graceful curved stone viaduct spans the valley. The route then leads onward to Porrentruy and Courtemaîche in Switzerland’s far northwest. From Courtemaîche, you venture over the steeply graded, freight-only military line to the barracks at Bure – one of the rarest and most unusual stretches of railway in the country. Here, the Green Arrow pauses for commemorative photographs before retracing its route. Throughout the day, this beautifully restored railcar offers the special privilege of sitting beside the driver in the cab, enjoying exhilarating forward-facing views. After this full-day adventure, you return from Burgdorf to Olten in the late afternoon, with time to relax before a final group dinner. (B D)



Tuesday 24 November

Return to London

You return from Olten via Basel and Paris to London using Eurostar and TGV high speed trains. (B)