swiss rail journeys tv show

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S01e01 the albula line.

• January 1, 1990
• Travel Channel

One of Switzerland's most spectacular rail journeys from Chur to St Moritz with heart-stopping mountain scenery and fascinating towns and villages en route.

S01E02 The Montreux Oberland Bernois Rail

• January 1, 1991

Our mapped journey on the MOB (Montreux Oberland Bernois Railway) begins in the Victorian town of Montreux and concludes with the celebrity area of Gstaad before the whistle blows in Zweissimmen. On the trip we will also see a working steam preservation museum the new tunnel at Vanel and cheese making.

S01E03 The Davos Line

• February 1, 1991

Today - travelling through the scenic Malans vineyards and Landwasser river valleys before heading into ski country to visit the famous Klosters and the highest Alpine town of Davos.

S01E04 The Arosa Line

• January 1, 1992

Feel the cool mountain breezes on this high altitude journey from Chur to Arosa the resort town which named this railway line. Over the years twenty-two tunnels and galleries have been built in the remarkable first section which intersects a narrow gorge. The train passes unusual rock formations referred to as "earthmen" and distinctive river passageways.

S01E05 The Brunig Line - Part 1

• February 1, 1992

Central Switzerland's lovely lakes are highlighted in this unforgettable train trip on the Brunig Line. Visit Brienz's traditional woodcarving community. Taste the splendours of Swiss Lake Steamers and finish the journey at Meiringen scene of Sherlock Holmes' fight to the death with arch rival Moriarty.

S01E06 The Brunig Line - Part 2

• January 1, 1993

Leave Meiringen behind and climb by cogwheel up the Brunig Pass. The train descends to the lush lakelands of central Switzerland to look at baroque churches and the ancient open-air parliament. Journey's end at Lucerne explores the old town and Transport Museum as well as the heartbreaking monument to the Swiss Guards slaughtered during the French Revolution.

S01E07 The Emmental Railway - Part 1

• February 1, 1993

The lush Emmental region in central Switzerland is famous throughout the world for its delicious Swiss cheese. Our journey leads us to the mountains of the Jura region of Western Switzerland. The track climbs gently as we reach the slopes of the Emmental and we pass picturesque farms and woodland before reaching the medieval town of Thun.

S01E08 The Appenzell Railways

• January 1, 1994

The railway company of Canton Appenzell Switzerland's smallest runs its lines through some of the most beautiful countryside in the land. The Appenzell is a farming region and the railway is extensively used by the local community. The journey ends at the old Abbey city of St Gallen where we visit the magnificent cathedral and its library which is home to many priceless treasures.

S01E09 The Bodensee - Toggenburg Railway

• February 1, 1994

This spectacular railway runs through north-eastern Switzerland's lush countryside from the soaring mountains of the Toggenburg region to the sparkling blue waters of the Bodensee. We start at Lake Zurich and interesting diversions en-route include an exploration of the historic town of Rapperswil and a visit to the depot to see the railway's behind the scenes workings. The journeys ends at the port of Romanshorn situated on the shores of the Bodensee.

S02E01 The Gotthard Line South

• April 1, 1994

Stopping first in Canton Ticino visitors can admire the Italian influence in the architecture. Next into the wooded valleys and the high Alps in the heart of Switzerland. Marvel at a miniature village representing every Swiss canton visit medieval castles and pass historic horse-drawn post coaches on a leisurely tour through the spectacular mountain chain.

S02E02 The Gotthard Line North

• May 1, 1994

Until the advent of railway engineering in the 1880's it was impossible for travellers to cross the Alpine backbone from Northern Europe to Italy during winter. Now we can see the route in its entirety and the dramatic scenery from the heart of the Confederation to the Mediterranean in the south. We also learn the origins of the Swiss Army Knife.

S02E03 The Bern-Lotschberg-Simplon Company

• January 1, 1995

Today we travel from the Italian border through the Lotschberg mountain range and along the shores of Lake Thun in the Bernese Oberland enjoying the impressive views afforded by the BLS line. We visit the 17th century Stockpaler palace and enjoy a race between a paddle steamer and a motor boat.

S02E04 The New Glacier Express - Part 1

• February 1, 1995

We begin this journey at Zermatt popular with mountaineers since the middle of the 19th century and take the Gornergrat railway for a spectacular view over the Alps including the famous Matterhorn. We pause to look at the picturesque old villages of the Goms region and take the cablecar up to the majestic Aletsch glacier the longest ice sheet in Europe.

S02E05 The New Glacier Express - Part 2

• March 1, 1995

After travelling along the Rhaetian Railway's tracks through the impressive Rhine valley to Chur we pause at Ilanz to join a thrilling river rafting expedition down the 'Swiss Grand Canyon'. Then we ride along the breathtaking Albula Line with its lofty viaducts spiral tunnels and deep gorges. The journey ends at the famous resort St. Moritz where we view some of the many exciting sports which attract visitors all year round.

S02E06 The Emmental Railway - Part 2

• April 1, 1995

We travel through the beautiful Entelbuch valley which is famous for its traditional farming methods and horses are still widely used to pull carts. After visiting the rural museum in Langnau we stop at a cheese centre in Affoltern where we are able to observe old and new cheesemaking methods.

S03E01 The Engadine Line

• January 1, 1996

More journeys along the picturesque railway lines of Switzerland. On this journey we take the Rhaetian Railway along the beautiful Engadine Valley from the world famous resort of St Moritz to the spa town of Scuol. We visit the old town of Zuoz the former capital of the Upper Engadine and delight in the picturesque little village of Guarda. Journey's end is at Scuol with its curative springs which have attracted bathers for well over a century.

S03E02 The Bernina Express

• February 1, 1996

Today the journey begins at the fashionable resort of St Moritz where winter equestrian events take place on a frozen lake. After passing the small town of San Antonio the track makes a dramatic drop in height over the unique open spiral viaduct at Brusio before slipping across the border to the Italian pilgrimage town of Tirano.

S03E03 The Gruyere Railway

• January 1, 1997

Another journey along one of Switzerland's stunning railway lines today we take the Gruyere Railway to Broc where we view some of Switzerland's most mouth watering chocolate creations in production. The line now runs through the Gruyere region of Switzerland famous throughout the world for its cheese. Mountain peaks dominate the line as it winds along the Sarine Valley to journey's end at Montbovon.

S03E04 The Jungfrau Railways - Part 1

• February 1, 1997

In the first of a two-part visit to the glorious Bernese Oberland region of Switzerland we join the BOB train at Interlaken Ost for the scenic journey to Lauterbrunnen. There we take the funicular to Grutschalp before making a winter journey to the car-free resort of Murren. A visit to Grindelwald and its impressive glaciers is also on the itinerary.

S03E05 The Jungfrau Railways - Part 2

• January 1, 1998

In this second journey on the Jungfrau Railways we return to Lauterbrunnen to make the ascent from the opposite direction pausing to look at the 300 year old tradition of lacemaking. The summit station at Jungfraujoch is the highest in Europe. Visitors here can experience the ice palace huskies and the breathtaking panorama visible from the Sphinx's viewing terrace.

S04E01 The Vereina Line

• January 1, 1999

This latest railway route in Switzerland was opened in November 1999, taking its passengers through the beautiful Engadine valley near the Austrian and Italian borders, through the scenic Prattigau and then the broad and densely forested Rhine valley. The route of this line is not just a thing of natural beauty but also in part a huge feat of engineering - with the longest metre-gauge tunnel in the world. The journey continues with tours through the old village of Scoul and offers a chance to take a closer look at the traditional Engadine architecture. Travelling onward to Davos for some wintertime sporting fun, we then head for the ski resort of Klosters, a favourite with the British royals and the penultimate stop on our trip. Journey's end is Lanquart, where the vineyards and easy-going lifestyle form a tranquil final destination to an exhilarating ride.

S05E01 The Jura Line

• January 1, 2001

The scenic Jura region of Western Switzerland is where you'll find wooded mountainsides, lush valleys and mile after mile of unspoilt country. We start our trip in the city of La Chaux-de-Fonds, a centre for the intricate art of watch making, forever associated with Switzerland. Next, we ascend into the Jura mountains where the views stretch for mile after mile across the Doubs valley that separates Switzerland from France. In Saignelegier we pay a visit to the annual horse fair, a colourful and exciting spectacle with - strangely enough - Roman chariot racing as one of its attractions! There's a slice of wild west fun too as we get on board La Traction steam loco and are ambushed by Switzerland's answer to Butch Cassidy and the Hole in the Wall Gang - just for the tourists though! We finish our Jura Line journey, with a look at the historic town of Porrentruy with its magnificent castles and old quarter - a tranquil ending to a wonderful ride.

S06E01 The Bex Villars Bretaye Railway

• January 1, 2003

The steep slopes on either side of Switzerland's Rhone valley are a paradise for visitors in both winter and summer, and the area is fortunate in having a variety of small colourful trains which enable us to make voyages of discovery around the region. The first of our two part look at the Transports Publics du Chablais concentrates on the BVB line which runs from the important village of Bex to the year-round resort of Villars, and then up to the Col de Bretaye.

S06E02 The Aigle Line

• January 1, 2004

More journeys along the picturesque railway lines of Switzerland. The scenic Chablais region is fortunate in having its own private railway company, the Transports Publics du Chablais, with four subsidiaries operating from Bex and Aigle to a variety of scenic mountain resorts. In this second visit to the TPC, we explore the three lines which run out of Aigle.

Additional Specials

Special 0x1 transports publics du chablais - part 1.

Railways in the Chablais are of Switzerland

SPECIAL 0x2 Transports Publics Du Chablais - Part 2

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• Cast & Crew

Swiss Rail Journeys I: The Arosa Line

This film is part of a series that showcases some of the outstanding train lines that serve the country of Switzerland. The quality of the craftsmanship of the trains is matched by the beauty of the Swiss landscapes through which they travel. In this volume, the Arosa Line takes the passenger on an open-air journey from the quaint old quarter of Chur through the beautiful countryside on the way to the exclusive mountain resort of Arosa. One especially unusual sight is in the Schanfigg Valley, with its "earthmen." The video explores some theories on their origin and meaning.

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Latest News See All

• The Albula Line
• Jan 1, 1990
• The Montreux Oberland Bernois Rail
• Jan 1, 1991
• The Davos Line
• Feb 1, 1991
• The Arosa Line
• Jan 1, 1992
• The Brunig Line - Part 1
• Feb 1, 1992
• The Brunig Line - Part 2
• Jan 1, 1993
• The Emmental Railway - Part 1
• Feb 1, 1993
• The Appenzell Railways
• Jan 1, 1994
• The Bodensee - Toggenburg Railway
• Feb 1, 1994
• The Gotthard Line South
• Apr 1, 1994
• The Gotthard Line North
• May 1, 1994
• The Bern-Lotschberg-Simplon Company
• Jan 1, 1995
• The New Glacier Express - Part 1
• Feb 1, 1995
• The New Glacier Express - Part 2
• Mar 1, 1995
• The Emmental Railway - Part 2
• Apr 1, 1995
• The Engadine Line
• Jan 1, 1996
• The Bernina Express
• Feb 1, 1996
• The Gruyere Railway
• Jan 1, 1997
• The Jungfrau Railways - Part 1
• Feb 1, 1997
• The Jungfrau Railways - Part 2
• Jan 1, 1998
• The Vereina Line
• Jan 1, 1999
• The Jura Line
• Jan 1, 2001
• The Bex Villars Bretaye Railway
• Jan 1, 2003
• The Aigle Line
• Jan 1, 2004
• Transports Publics Du Chablais - Part 1
• Transports Publics Du Chablais - Part 2

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Swiss Railway Journeys (1995)

All seasons, tv show details.

Air Date: June 1st, 1995

Last Air Date: June 9th, 1995

Genres: Documentary

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Grand Train Tour of Switzerland

Real Rail Adventures: Grand Train Tour of Switzerlad , a new 60-minute documentary, is the sequel to the Telly Award-winning public television special co-produced by Small World Productions and KCTS/Seattle.  The adventures continue with another set of rides, different destinations, and more Swiss splendors. Viewers’ choices are expanded with Swiss trains aplenty—new and old, big and small, breathtaking and efficient.

This time host Jeff Wilson “gets back to nature” highlighting an abundance of outdoor options. Jeff models how to take the train to scenic hikes, exhilarating bike rides, rollicing raft trips and more. Lively locals provide context, insights and diversity. Short stopovers reveal remarkable panoramas, daily traditions, and irresistible strolls in pristine villages.

Heading west through the Alps, the panoramic Glacier Express crosses steep mountain passes, navigating 91 tunnels and hundreds of bridges. A change of trains leads to Martigny. Blessed with the warm Valais sunshine and surrounded by vineyards and orchards, Martigny’s history stretches back two thousand years: Celtic tribes, the Romans and Napoleon's troupes have all left traces here. The Giannada Museum provides glimpses of the past and nearby, the St. Bernard Museum serves-up heartwarming stories of Alpine rescues by the famous breed of dogs. For pure fun, Jeff joins a trainer for a walk with several resident St. Bernards and delights in petting a litter of puppies.

More outdoor adventures await as Jeff turns north again. Near the Alpine village of Engelberg, he immerses in quiet serenity, kayaking the clear glacial waters of Lake Trübsee beneath sheer mountain walls. Then Jeff boards the sleek Titlis Rotair gondola to the top and a hair-raising cliff walk over a scenic foot bridge.

HD images from Emmy Award winning photographers will sweep viewers into virtual adventures aboard the world’s best rail system. Amazing trains, scenic grandeur, historic perspective and concise travel advice mesh seamlessly in Real Rail Adventures: Grand Train Tour of Switzerland .

Real Rail Adventures: Grand Train Tour of Switerland   showcases the construction marvels and visual splendors of the Swiss rail system. From world-class mainlines, to stunning scenic routes, to pioneering steam locomotives and historic cog trains, we celebrate triumphs of Swiss engineering and ingenuity. Soaring peaks and plunging valleys pose mind-boggling obstacles for trains. The Swiss have responded with astonishing trestles, bridges and tunnels.

The Grand Train Tour of Switzerland  enchants. We’re packed and ready to go. Join us for a new Swiss adventure!

• Cast & crew

World's Greatest Train Journeys from Above

A visually spectacular journey examining some of the worlds best train routes. Take a look, from ground level to the sky, at the engineering and infrastructure, the people who maintain and o... Read all A visually spectacular journey examining some of the worlds best train routes. Take a look, from ground level to the sky, at the engineering and infrastructure, the people who maintain and operate, and the features alongside the railroads. A visually spectacular journey examining some of the worlds best train routes. Take a look, from ground level to the sky, at the engineering and infrastructure, the people who maintain and operate, and the features alongside the railroads.

• Aaron Bennett
• Dilip Sinchury

• Self - Narrator
• Self - Train Technician
• Self - Senior Locomotive Pilot
• Self - Locomotive Engineer - VIA Rail, Canada
• Self - GEX Train Driver
• Self - Train Driver
• Self - Train Manager
• Self - Engineeering Geologist and Assisting Project Manager
• Self - Masters Student - University of Manitoba
• Self - Track Maintenance Manager
• Self - Chef
• Self - Fitter
• Self - Polymechanic
• Self - Son of Chef Jesus Rodriguez
• Self - Assistant Locomotive Pilot
• Self - Foreman
• All cast & crew
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• October 16, 2022 (United Kingdom)
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More From Forbes

What is swisstainable a rail tour of switzerland reveals the answer.

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Tour guide Rob Early (left) with John and Dianna Mellers on a train from Visp, Switzerland to ... [+] Geneva.

Dianna and John Mellers had no idea what Swisstainable meant until they landed in Zürich for a one-week train tour of Switzerland.

That’s when their tour guide, Rob Early, started to talk about Switzerland's ambitious sustainability initiatives meant to encourage visitors to experience nature, Swiss culture, local products — and to stay longer.

The Swiss even have a word for it: Swisstainable .

"We didn't realize we were on a sustainability tour," says John Mellers, an engineer from Oviedo, Fla.

It's a common reaction. Technically, Mellers and his wife were on Trafalgar's Contrasts of Switzerland tour. But it's a rail tour with an agenda. Along the way, there are stops that showcase Switzerland's next-level commitment to sustainability, including in Zürich , Switzerland's financial capital, St. Moritz, Zermatt, Geneva and Lucerne.

It turns out Swisstainability is a thing, with clearly defined goals that challenge the way visitors think about their environment. Organizers hope tour participants will come away with ideas about how to improve sustainability back home, but it is all done in such an understated way that if you're not paying attention, you could miss the message.

An electric taxi in Switzerland's famous Zermatt ski area with the Matterhorn behind it. Zermatt is ... [+] one of the most sustainable mountain resorts in the world, having banned all gas-powered cars from its roads.

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Best covid travel insurance plans, why a swisstainable tour.

Trafalgar already had a popular one-week train tour, but when Switzerland rolled out its Swisstainable designation, it saw an opportunity to explore ways to reduce its footprint even further. It decided to turn its train tour into a Swisstainable adventure.

How do you make a tour Swisstainable?

• Use the train. In the past, guests' luggage didn't come on the train with them because there was no storage space. Instead, Trafalgar used trucks to transport the suitcases to the next hotel. In becoming a Swisstainable tour, it found a way to also have the luggage delivered by train.
• Emphasize local food. Most of the meals on Trafalgar's Swisstainable itinerary are locally sourced or from the neighboring region. Most of the food is organic and the majority of restaurant providers have some sort of management system in place to reduce, recycle or upcycle their waste. The whole point of sustainability in tourism is making it accessible for guests so that it is enjoyable.
• Screen your partners. The tour operator also screened its hotel and restaurant partners to make sure they were dedicated to sustainability. Switzerland offers numerous ways to certify a company's sustainability. Trafalgar says it was keen to reduce the impact of its passengers while promoting local food and experiences.

But what's it like to be on a sustainability tour?

Maxime Sother, owner of Château de Malessert, an organic winery near Geneva, Switzerland.

What does a Swisstainable tour do?

Trafalgar's Swisstainable tour shows off some of Switzerland's marquee destinations with a sustainability angle. Among the highlights are Switzerland's famous Glacier Express, which has a strong reputation for sustainability, and Zermatt, which has banned gas-powered vehicles in the city.

There's also a tour of Château de Malessert, a sustainable family winery near Geneva. Maxime Sother, the winery's owner, says when he took over in 2020, he removed chemical pesticides and created his own oak barrels in an effort to become sustainable.

As he wrapped up a tour of his family farm on a recent summer afternoon, Sother said the goal wasn't to create a wine that people wanted to enjoy because they were sustainable, but to make wines that were excellent — and happened to be sustainable.

"It has to be good wine," he says.

For visitors from the United States, it's sometimes difficult to wrap their heads around the sustainability imperatives driving Swiss tourism. They struggle to understand why there are no washcloths in their bathrooms or why there is a $5 deposit for a second room key. (If you don't return it to be recycled, they charge you $5.)

"But then there's that lightbulb moment," says Early, the Trafalgar tour guide.

It can happen any time. On the Mellers' tour in late June, it was the moment participants saw the flooded Matter Vispa River in the iconic ski area of Zermatt.

Other times, it happens more slowly — as in, during the eight-hour train ride on the iconic Glacier Express train between St. Moritz and Zermatt. There, you can see the magnificent glaciers of the Swiss Alps, which are slowly receding as temperatures warm. If you're a skier, you can bemoan the fact that year-round skiing, long a staple of the Swiss mountain experience, may soon be a thing of the past.

Early says a Swisstainability tour is full of "aha" moments when many group members understand that climate change is happening. There's a sense of urgency that if the tourism industry doesn't get sustainability right, there might not be anything left to sustain.

The Glacier Express near St. Moritz, Switzerland.

Taking sustainability ideas home

Early says people want to take some of the ideas home with them.

"There's the 'I wish they did this in America' moment," he says.

Most of those comments are reserved for the Swiss railroad system. It is fast, efficient, expensive and runs on 95% sustainable energy. When a flooded river and a train accident disrupted the Mellers' rail tour on several occasions, the Swiss railroads were lightning-fast in their recovery.

"I really liked the Swiss trains," says Dianna Mellers, who has traveled throughout Europe by rail. "They were really the best we've seen."

John Mellers says he was impressed by Switzerland's sustainability efforts and that many were import-worthy. Mellers, who works in the energy sector, says there's a tendency elsewhere to impose ideas about sustainability — particularly green energy — on other places. He says he was impressed by the way Switzerland leaned toward hydroelectric and nuclear power, both of which are non-carbon-emitting forms of energy.

But Switzerland's ideas suggest a more incremental approach to sustainability that could be copied by other destinations.

A low-key approach to sustainability

Like the Swiss themselves, a Swisstainability tour is modest and understated. There are no declarations of impending doom or lectures about destroying the planet. It's more "show" than "tell."

And really, all it takes to change your mind about sustainability is a week spent using Switzerland's fast and always-punctual trains. Or seeing a disappearing glacier. Or witnessing firsthand what an alpine village without cars feels like.

Sadly, some Swiss sustainability initiatives are unlikely to gain traction elsewhere. For example, the country's almost obsessive recycling programs probably would never work in the United States. And banning gas-powered cars from a city might be impractical in most major tourist destinations.

If nothing else, Switzerland's low-key approach to sustainability is a worthy tourist attraction in and of itself. And in a time when some people are thoughtlessly booking the same old vacations, what's the harm in challenging your conventions?

This is part two of a series on sustainable tourism in Switzerland. Here’s part one on Zürich’s sustainability efforts. Next up: Grindelwald tries to take sustainability to new heights.

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