Swiss Railway Gala and SBB 125th Jubilee

2027 marks the 125th anniversary of Swiss Federal Railways (SBB), and to celebrate, Switzerland will host what promises to be the largest Swiss railway gala in many years during the final weekend of May 2027. Expect an extraordinary programme packed with steam specials, main-line excursions and legendary historic locomotives – including the iconic Swiss ‘Crocodiles’ and other magnificent rod-driven electric locomotives. This is set to be a truly spectacular celebration of Swiss railway heritage, with an epic one-off programme that could make railway history.

Don’t miss your chance to be part of it! Join us for an unforgettable tour celebrating 125 years of SBB and some of the most remarkable locomotives ever to run on Swiss rails.

• You will have front-row seats to the SBB Jubilee Gala, with reserved First Class seating on the most spectacular festival trains. Across all three days, from Friday to Sunday, experience a unique parade of special trains hauled by the signature locomotives of SBB, together with legendary locomotives operated by private railway associations.
• Enjoy an exclusive RTC charter programme, featuring a ride behind the legendary Bernina Ge 6/6 No. 81 at Blonay–Chamby and a vintage train ascent of Monte Generoso.
• Based in historic Olten, the heart of Switzerland’s railway network, enjoy complete freedom with a 6-Day Swiss Travel Pass covering the national rail network.

Wednesday 26 May

London to Olten by rail

Travel in comfort from London St Pancras to Paris Gare du Nord with Eurostar Plus, before continuing by high-speed rail to Basel, arriving in Switzerland in the late afternoon. From Basel, take a short SBB journey to Olten, your base for the tour. Check into your conveniently located hotel, close to the station and historic old town, with time to relax and unwind before rejoining your fellow travellers for dinner. (D)

Thursday 27 May

Golden Pass Express, Blonay Chamby Museum, Lake Geneva Riviera and vineyard train

Today you travel in style from Spiez via Zweisimmen and Montbovon over the Golden Pass Express, a luxury train that runs every day and is valid with your Swiss Travel Pass. The world famous Golden Pass line climbs from Lake Thun to the highest point near Gstaad, at 1279 metres. In Zweisimmen you stay aboard the train, as the gauge-changing coaches pass through the unique metre gauge (1000 mm) to standard gauge (1435) traverser. The route then winds itself to Montbovon, where you continue on the local MOB train to Chamby. There you change to the waiting museum train for a private charter at Switzerland’s premier narrow gauge heritage railway. Today your special will be hauled by the giant, rod-driven Bernina locomotive Ge 6/6 Nr . 81 from 1916. This century-old behemoth will take you to the museum at Chaulin, where you can visit the extensive rolling stock collection, before continuing top and tailed with the steeple cab electric locomotive Ge 4/4 Nr. 75 to Blonay. En route you will have photo stops and a run-past over the famed, curved stone-arched viaduct near Blonay. From Blonay you continue to Vevey and have time to enjoy the Swiss Riviera on the banks of Lake Geneva, before taking the vineyard train up to Puidoux, from there returning to Olten via Bern. Of course you could also make your own way back to Olten using a different scenic route and the flexibility of your Swiss Travel Pass. (B)

Friday 28 May to Sunday 30 May

Switzerland’s grand railway festival and SBB celebrations with rides on main line steam specials and heritage trains hauled by ‘Crocodiles’

Across three days of Switzerland’s signature railway event of 2027, experience an unforgettable celebration of Swiss railway heritage aboard a superb selection of special trains. Travel behind iconic steam locomotives and legendary Swiss electrics, including the famous rod-driven ‘Crocodiles’, with No. 13254 dating from 1919. Wherever possible, enjoy First Class accommodation on these exclusive trains. The festival will be centred in different locations and participation from SBB Historic, preservation societies and smaller railway companies, this is a unique opportunity to experience Swiss railway history in the making. (B)

Monday 31 May 2027

Gotthard Railway, Lake Lugano and Monte Generoso Rack Railway 

This morning, take an SBB InterCity service through the world’s longest railway tunnel to the scenic region of Ticino. Travel along the shores of beautiful Lake Lugano to Capolago, where southern Switzerland’s only rack railway awaits. Enjoy an exclusive private charter up Monte Generoso, hauled by a vintage, rod-driven diesel locomotive. From your charming half-open summer coach, dating from 1909, take in spectacular views across Switzerland and Italy as the train climbs the 9 km route to the summit. At the top, cross the nearby Italian border on foot and admire panoramic views over the Lombardy Plain and Lake Como. After time for refreshments at the summit restaurant, descend to Capolago before returning via Lugano and the scenic Gotthard summit route to Olten. (B)

Tuesday 1 June

Steam at Brienz Rothorn Bahn in the Berner Oberland

To cap the holiday in fine style you visit one of Switzerland’s most famous mountain-climbing steam railways, the legendary Brienz Rothorn Bahn in the Bernese Oberland. You make the round-trip steam-hauled from the lakeside station at Brienz via Planalp to Rothorn Kulm at an elevation of 2350 m above sea level. During the ascent and also from the top, you can enjoy some of the finest Alpine views anywhere in Europe. After the descent you have some more free time to make good use of your Swiss Travel Pass and could either travel over the Brünig Pass via Luzern to Olten or take the boat across Lake Brienz to Interlaken. In the evening you reconvene in Olten for a final dinner together. (B D)

Wednesday 2 June

Return to London

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