Switzerland - 19th March 2026 - Brian Garrett Photography

Switzerland - 19th March 2026

19th March 2026 was undoubtedly the most spring-like of the week. Although the Swiss light is incredible, it had been very cold at times during the week, despite images perhaps portraying a warm and sunny scene. Our final trip of the week was to Arth Goldau, the gateway to the Alps, where routes from Basel/ Luzern and Zurich meet to run through the mountain floor through to the Gotthard Route, either taking the Gotthard Base Tunnel, through to Italy. At Arth Goldau, we changed trains to the Rigi Cog Railway for the climb up to Rigi Kulm, and some stunning views of the Swiss Alps. Thankfully, the best day of the week also came with warm temperatures and clear skies, giving some breathtaking views and t-shirt-like conditions at the top of the mountain railway.

Basel SBB

SBB Re460 No.460046 is pictured at Basel SBB, having coupled to the Nightjet service from Prague to Zurich on the 19th March 2026.

A pair of Vectrons is pictured stabled at Basel SBB. European Loco Leasing (ELL) 193-829 and Beacon Rail 193-818 catch the morning light on the 19th March 2026.

Arth Goldau

The SOB RABe 526 "Traverso" is a passenger articulated trainset manufactured by Stadler Rail for the Südostbahn (SOB) railway company in Switzerland. It is a variant of the Stadler FLIRT (Fast Light Innovative Regional Train) model, designed for both regional and long-distance comfort. SBB RABe No.526-129/229 arrives at Arth Goldau with a Locarno - Basel SBB service on the 19th March 2026.

The SOB RABe 526 "Traverso" built by Stadler arrives at Arth Goldau on the 19th March 2026 with a service to Locarno. The train passes under the Arth Rigi-Bahn, a rack railway which rises to the summit of Rigi Kulm. The summit station is located at the site of the radio mast at the top of this image.

The Rigi Railway - Arth-Goldau to Rigi Kulm

The Arth-Goldau to Rigi Kulm railway line is one of Switzerland’s most iconic alpine journeys, carrying travellers from the valley floor up the slopes of Mount Rigi. Opened in 1875, this standard-gauge cogwheel railway winds past dense forests, cascading waterfalls, and rolling alpine meadows. It rewards passengers with sweeping, panoramic views of Lake Zug and the Swiss Mittelland. The journey begins at the Arth-Goldau valley station, sitting at an altitude of approximately 509 metres. It climbs steadily up a maximum gradient of 20% to reach the mountain terminus at Rigi Kulm, which sits proudly at 1,797 metres above sea level. Over a track distance of roughly 8.5 kilometres, the rack-and-pinion system conquers a total vertical elevation gain of 1,288 metres. The views at the top are breathtaking. The railway operates a Modern and Vintage Fleet. A standard, full-fare adult day ticket for the Rigi Mountain Railways costs CHF 78.00. This works as a hop-on, hop-off pass, granting unlimited access to both the Arth-Goldau and Vitznau cogwheel lines, alongside connecting cable cars. However Interail passes offer a 50% discount, and Swiss Travel Passes cover the Rigi for free.

The Rigi Bahn (Rigi Railways) units, officially known as Rigi Bahnen, operate in Switzerland as a network of standard-gauge rack railways and cable cars on Mount Rigi. Rigi Bahn Unit No.13 'Migros' is pictured at Arth Goldau on the 19th March 2026.

Rigi Bahn cars No.11 and No.14 arrive at Arth Goldau from Kigi Kulm on the 19th March 2026.

The basic but functional interior of the Rigi Railway units was taken on the 19th March 2026.

Driving the cab of a Rigi Railway car on the 19th March 2026 at Arth Goldau.

Traverser and Car Shed at Arth Goldau on the Rigi Railway on the 19th March 2026.

Rigi Cars No.24 and No.21 are pictured at Rigi Kulm, arriving with the 10:55 Arth Goldau - Rigi Kulm, having climbed 1798m to the summit of the rack railway on the 19th March 2026.

The Swiss Alps in the background Rigi cars on the 24 and 21 are pictured at Rigi Kulm on the 19th March 2026.

A view from Rigi Kulm looking down at Arth Goldau on the 18th March 2026.

A view from Rigi Kulm on the 18th March 2026.

A view from Rigi Kulm looking down at Rigi Staffel on the 18th March 2026, with a set of Rigi cars heading to the summit.

Switzerland's Mount Rigi Railways (Rigi Bahnen) operates custom-built, modern rack-and-pinion trains manufactured by Stadler. Designed specifically for the steep alpine slopes and panoramic views of the "Queen of the Mountains," these trains feature large, drop-down windows and slightly reclined seating to compensate for the steep gradients. A New Stalder unit makes its way down from Rigi Kulm on a driver training run on the 18th March 2026.

A view from Rigi Kulm with Rigi Cars No.22 and No.12 make the last climb up from Rigi Staffel originating from Arth Goldau on the 19th March 2026.

Rigi Railway Cars No.12 and No.22 are pictured at Rigi Kulm on the 19th March 2026, ready to head back down the steeply graded line to Arth Goldau.

Interior of car 22 on the Rigi Railway - 19th March 2026.

Rigi Railway cars No.22 and No12 are pictured at Arth Goldau on the 19th March 2026, having arrived from Rigi Kulm.

Arth Goldau

The SBB RBDe 560 is a class of electric multiple-unit (EMU) trains operated by the Swiss Federal Railways (SBB). Introduced in the 1980s, they are the backbone of Swiss regional rail. No.560-301 arrives Arth Goldau on the 19th March 2026 with Rigi Kulm in the background.

SBB Cargo Siemens Vectron No.193-067 arrives at Arth Goldau Station on the 19th March 2026. The loco was operating a southbound mixed freight.

The Swiss SBB RBDe 526 is a modernized electric multiple unit (EMU) train operated by the Swiss Federal Railways (SBB) and regional operators like RegionAlps. No.526-229/ 129 arrives into Arth Goldau on the 19th March 2026 with a service to Logano.

A busy station scene at Arth Goldau on the 19th March 2026. Stadler SBB No.526-229/129 and No.526-117-227 are pictured operating services to and from Logano. Passing through the platform road is SBB Cargo No.484-009 with a northbound mixed freight. In the background is Kleiner Mythen and Grosser Mythen.

The Swiss SBB RBDe 526 is a modernized electric multiple unit (EMU) train operated by the Swiss Federal Railways (SBB) and regional operators like RegionAlps. No.526-057 arrives with an empty stock movement into Arth Goldau station on the 19th March 2026.

SBB Cargo Re620 No.620-033 passes south through Atrh Goldau on the 19th March 2026, hauling a southbound steel train into the Alps.

DB Cargo Class 185 locomotives No.185-123 and No.185-124 pass through Arth Goldau double-headed with a southbound mixed freight in Switzerland on the 19th March 2026.

Railpool Class 187 No.187004 passes northbound through Arth Goldau on the 19th March 2026, hauling a rake of Fiat Vans from Italy into central Europe with Kleiner Mythen in the background.

A pair of BLS locomotives No.485003 and No.485012 pass northbound through Arth Goldau on the 19th March 2026 with an Intermodal from Italy.

The SBB RABe 523 is a four-car electric multiple unit (EMU) operated by the Swiss Federal Railways (SBB). It is part of the popular Stadler FLIRT family. No.526-072 departs from Arth Goladu on the 19th March 2026 with an S3 stopping service to Brunnen.

SBB Vossloh G17000BB No.843003 passes through Arth Goldau with a southbound civil engineers service on the 19th March 2026.

A selection of Swiss units is pictured at Arth Goldau on the 19th March 2026, making the split between Zurich and Luzern. Left to right, No.526-122/222, No.501-016, No.526010/110 and No.501-019.

The SBB RABe 501, widely nicknamed "Giruno" (from the Romansh word for buzzard), is a high-speed electric train built by Stadler Rail for the Swiss Federal Railways (SBB). No.501-016 departs from Atrh Goldau heading south on the 19th March 2026.

With syncronised departures of Bus and Trains from Arth Goldau on the 19th March 2025. SBB RABe No.501211/011 departs north, passing SOB No.526117/217.

SBB Cargo International Siemens Vectron No.193-462 passes non-stop southbound through Arth Goldau Station on the 19th March 2026 hauling an intermodal.

SBB Cargo International Siemens Vectron No.193-541 passes south through Arth Goldau with an Intermodal on the 19th March 2026 with Kigi Kulm in the background.

DB Cargo Siemens Vectron No.193-307 passes through Arth Goldau station on the 19th March 2026, hauling an Intermodal.

TX Logistik part of the Mercitalia Logisitc Group) Siemens Vectron No.193-315 arrives at Arth Goldau on the 19th March 2026, hauling an Italy-bound intermodal service.

The SBB RABe 523 is a four-car Electric Multiple Unit (EMU) operated by the Swiss Federal Railways (SBB). Built by Stadler, it belongs to the FLIRT family (Fast Light Intercity and Regional Train) and is widely used across Switzerland for local and regional passenger services. No.523-072 departs from Arth Goldau with an S3 service to Luzern on the 29th March 2026.

A Rigi Bahn Car comes out of service having dropped down from the upper level Arth Goldau Station to stable before returning to the car shed for the night on the 19th March 2026.

With Kleiner Mythen and Grossert Mythen in the background a pair of DB Cargo Class 185 locomotives double-head northbound through Arth Goldau station on the 19th March 2026. No.185-126 and No.185-117 were hauling a mixed freight north.

The SBB RBDe 560 is a class of electric multiple-unit (EMU) trainsets operated by the Swiss Federal Railways (SBB). Introduced in 1984 as the "Neuer Pendelzug" (NPZ - "New Commuter Train"). No.560-279 arrives at Arth Goldau on the 19th March 2026, operating an S3 service to Brunnen.

Railcare 476 452 (officially Rem 476 452) is a Siemens Vectron AC electro-diesel locomotive operated by the Swiss logistics company railCare. Named "Tessin/Ticino," it operates on the Swiss rail network hauling intermodal freight trains for the Coop supermarket supply chain. The loco is picutred passing Arth Goldau with a northbound Coop train. In the station are SBB RABe No.526-202/102 & No.526-115/215.

With Kleiner Mythen and Grosser Mythen in the background, SOB Stadler Class 526 units are pictured at Arth Goldau on the 19th March 2026. No.526202/102 and No.526115/215 head in opposite directions to and from Logano.

A pair of DB Cargo Class 185 locomotives arrive with a rake of box cars at Arth Goldau on the 19th March 2026. No.185-093 and No.185-092 are pictured with Grosser Mythen in the background.

TX Logistik part of the Mercitalia Logisitc Group) Siemens Vectron No.193-305 arrives at Arth Goldau on the 19th March 2026, hauling an Italy-bound intermodal service.

SBB Vossloh G17000BB No.843086 passes through Arth Goldau with a southbound train of Cargonwaggons on the 19th March 2026.