If you were a Swiss rail operator looking to , what would you call it? Would you select to honor, or would you go for something classic like ? What about naming it in homage to Canadian music icon Shania Twain?
Well, that’s exactly what Swiss agencies decided to do with one of the new trains that will run on its Montreux Oberland Bernois (MOB) line, which is the oldest electrified rail line in the world. , the line will run a new train that’s been named after singer-songwriter Shania Twain.
The Golden Pass Express trains run from Montreux on Lake Geneva to Interlaken in central Switzerland. And to celebrate the launch of the new service, one of the locomotives has been badged Shania Train at an inauguration ceremony attended by Ms. Twain herself.
Now, before you convince yourself that you’re just , this isn’t some elaborate early April Fools joke. The Canadian singer has lived in Switzerland for more than a decade now, and owns a property near Lake Geneva, which falls on the Golden Pass Express train’s route. Clearly, the new high-tech trains are a sign that for the musician.
But, other than being named after the “Man! I Feel Like A Woman!” singer, what’s so special about the new trains? Well, while most trains we see here in America , the ones you can ride in Switzerland are much cooler.
Firstly, the Golden Pass Express trains have to be able to run across two different track gauges. This means that are built so that the distance between wheels can be adjusted while the train is on the move. :
“The new trains are able to switch from the meter-gauge track of the MOB to the Swiss standard gauge by adjusting the distance between their wheels.
“Variable gauge mechanisms are nothing new - Spanish Talgo trains have been using them for decades - but the GPX trains stretch further, and are the first to shift between these two types of gauges. And they have another feature which makes them a world first, says MOB.”
But, what happens , I hear you shout. Well, don’t worry, because thanks to the new trains to easily reach the platform. These trains also come with trucks beneath each carriage that can raise the height of the body to meet platforms of varying sizes.
The new trains, which were built by Swiss train maker Stadler and French transport giant Alstom , can raise from 350mm to 550mm off the ground.
All these innovations mean that rail travelers in Switzerland can now make the journey from Lake Geneva to Interlaken without getting off to switch trains.