Completed construction projects
Modernisation of Zweisimmen Railway Station
A world first in the Oberland: people travelling from Montreux to Interlaken will soon no longer have to change trains in Zweisimmen but can instead remain comfortably seated in their carriages. BLS is making this possible by installing an innovative piece of equipment for the GoldenPass Express at the Zweisimmen Railway Station that will allow GoldenPass Express trains to switch from a narrow gauge to a standard gauge track.
Zweisimmen Railway Station has grown old. Its security facilities no longer meet the modern technological standard; its platforms are old and not disabled-friendly; and the entire rail system at the station is outdated and in need of restoration. This is why the railway station has been undergoing modernisation work since 2015, costing around CHF 58 million.
Two different track systems are in use at Zweisimmen. One is the BLS standard-gauge tracks, the other is the MOB’s narrow-gauge tracks. As part of the modernisation work, the two systems are being connected by means of a technically innovative feature, so that passengers can in future remain on board at Zweisimmen.
Key data for the modernisation
- Construction start: August 2015
- Work due for completion: end of 2018
- Costs: the total costs for the comprehensive modernisation of Zweisimmen Railway Station amount to CHF 58 million.
What will the project achieve?
The main features of the modernisation
- Construction of a new electronic signal tower for automatic train guidance. This allows BLS to make its railway operations more efficient.
- Adjustment of the platform height and length. Zweisimmen Railway Station must meet the requirements of the Swiss Disability Discrimination Act (DDA), which enshrines in law the discrimination-free access to public transport. Railway operators must adapt their railway infrastructure and trains by the end of 2023.
- Adjustment of the “Untere Tüllistrasse” railway bridge and remodelling of the station area
- Modernisation and widening of the bridges over the Kleine Simme stream
- Track construction: the entire track system is being simplified. In addition, an innovative gauge conversion system is being created so that narrow-gauge and normal-gauge tracks can be combined. This will make it possible to travel to Interlaken from Montreux without having to change over.
