Slow luxury journey in a Belle-Époque train through Switzerland
Inspired by the Orient-Express, the Golden Mountain Pullman Express has been put into circulation in 1931. Revived in 2005, the train has a car with a wine cellar to allow Swiss vintage wine tastings. Meals can be served on-board by order and reservation only.
Its code name is MOB for Montreux Oberland Bernois; at the time of its inauguration, trains were the only means of transport to travel far and this one combined the ornamental Belle Époque-style and state-of-the-art technology: soft armchairs and supple suspension, XXL bay windows throughout the train for admiring the scenery, dining car with a chef and a butler, a lifestyle which was highly appreciated by the travellers even though they were accustomed to luxury. Three hours and a-half of bliss to travel 115 km (70 miles) of the journey, between a unique travel comfort and unspoiled nature of the Pays d'En-Haut district.
Until 1933, the train ran twice a day between Montreux and Zweisimmen, then the coaches for passengers were reconverted into VIP accommodation: the Ethiopian Emperor, Haile Selassie, Queen Elisabeth II of England or celebrities like Michèle Morgan or Maurice Chevalier.
1910 carriages have been restored and are still in circulation, the others have been manufactured identically following the original car plan. The train stops in Vevey, where Charlie Chaplin spent the last twenty-five years of his life in his manor facing the Leman lake whose view off the mountains was relaxing him: the house has been converted into a museum, the Chaplin's world. It is a slow-life journey while the train winds along the Alps side at less than 80km/h (50m/h).
After having passed the medieval village of Gruyères, the train arrives in Gstaad ultra famous ski station which owes some of its reknown to the ease of access by the MOB.
Photos © MediaTV/France Télévisions
Saturday 1 January 2022, 06:24
