The Golden Pass and the associated "Golden Pass Panoramic Train" names are shams. Well, the train route is real, a combination of standard and narrow gauge trains with beautiful observation cars labeled for this route. But there is no such thing as "The Golden Pass". Rather it's a lovely crossing of a number of high passes on a 7% adhesion (no cog) narrow gauge railway with fantastic scenery even in the rain. So I'll save the pictures for the full set after some editing.
Nevertheless, the ride was fantastic--as they all seem to be on this perfectly programmed tour--and the trains were punctual to the point of all the jokes. You can even set your watch (correctly) by the local bus to town from the hotel. Well, it is Switzerland.
The three train ride over the "Golden Pass Route" was to visit the medieval Chateau Chillon on the eastern shore of Lake Geneva. The chateau was old, cold, bare, and involved lots of narrow staircases. But it was the nicest old, cold, bare, and narrow staircased chateau of this trip, and the rain wasn't too bad waiting for the return trains over the high speed "IC" routes via Lucanne and Bern. As long rainy days taking trains to old stone castles go, it was a wonderful day. Really. So were the spooky gardens along the shore of the lake in Montreux before the short boat ride (boat ride!) to the Chateau. I did meet a new friend and things are looking up. (At least the two of us looked up, but I think he's a gnome.)
Tomorrow we go back to Bern for a lengthy tour and a boat ride back to Interlaken from Thun.
By the way, I haven't mentioned the experience of touring with 40 or so strangers. I will write a "Riding the Rails" piece after returning home. Let me say that there are some very strange people in the world, although I've done so much better than I thought I would in this people intensive experience. Maybe not so good with the Rush fan. Could be worse, I think, as every one loves trains and train rides. Some are foamers, but perhaps only one or two SLWMs. All are very nice. As I said, could be so much worse.
No comments:
Post a Comment