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.
• Storm the summit of Monte Generoso in Switzerland on a private, loco-hauled charter train with rod-driven locomotive and classic coach from 1909, on a line that is otherwise only operated by railcars.
• Experience ancient main line steam over attractive non-passenger routes in the scenic Sihl Valley, as you join an original late 19th century heritage train with an archaic 0-6-0 tank engine dating from 1893 on the pretty byline from Zürich Wiedikon to Sihlwald and on the freight-only continuation to Sihlbrugg.
• Enjoy fabulous cruises on genuine paddle steamers and vintage motor vessels from the early 20th century on different Swiss lakes.
• The tour includes an 4-day Swiss Travel Pass, allowing you total mobility and comfortable travel freedom on Switzerland’s wonderful railway network and public transportation system, including trains, trams, boats and funiculars.

Wednesday 27 May

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.(B D)

Thursday 28 May

Steamboat cruise on Lake Lucerne to Vitznau, steam charter at Mount Rigi, Stoos Railway

After breakfast at the hotel you set off on a steamboat cruise from Lucerne to Vitznau. 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 29 May

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)

Saturday 30 May

Monte Generoso rack railway by private charter train, Lugano funicular

This morning you take an SBB IC service through the world’s longest railway tunnel south to Ticino. In the meantime the efficient SBB luggage forwarding service directly transfers your luggage to the next hotel in Basel.
Today you enjoy a loco-hauled private charter train with a rod-driven vintage diesel locomotive on the 9 km long Monte Generoso rack railway. From your wonderful half-open summer coach dating from 1909, you have sweeping views of Lake Lugano and the southernmost tip of Switzerland. The border with Italy is directly at the summit of the mountain railway and you can walk across to ‘Bella Italia’ for wonderful views of the Lombardy Plain as well as nearby Lake Como. At the summit restaurant there will be time for refreshments, before you descend to the base station at Capolago with your private charter vintage train on a line that is otherwise only served by modern railcars. From Capolago you return to Lugano by train enjoying more tranquil views of the Italianate scenery of Ticino, replete with palm trees. In Lugano you have a break and take the attractive funicular from the hilltop railway station down to the historic town centre, allowing you to explore the spacious Piazza and beautiful lakeside promenade.
You return to Basel in the early evening and check into your centrally located hotel. (B) 

Sunday 31 May

Ancient steam over rare track in the scenic Sihl Valley, paddle steamers on Lake Zürich

Today another steam highlight awaits, as you travel with an ancient tank engine from 1893 over the scenic Sihltalbahn near Zürich. This includes the ‘rare track’ between Sihlwald and Sihlbrugg, which is not in regular passenger use and only traversed by heritage specials. An equally ancient, 19th century dining car is also part of the train formation, where refreshments are available. After the steam-hauled round-trip from Zürich Wiedikon to Sihlbrugg and then on to Sihlwald, you have free time to make good use of SwissTravel Pass and explore the region around Lake Zürich.
This afternoon the classic paddle steamers are also in use on Lake Zürich, should you wish to make a tranquil cruise aboard one of these early 20th century icons. (B)

Monday 1 June

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 board during today’s journey. From Glovelier, you return the short distance to Basel by scheduled SBB service via Delémont, travelling along the scenic Laufen Valley line.
On arrival in Basel, enjoy some free time to explore the city at leisure before concluding the day with a farewell group dinner at the hotel.(B L D)

Tuesday 2 June

Return to London

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