Published on
September 13, 2025

Zentralbahn, the operator of Switzerland’s metre-gauge railway, has formalised a strategic procurement agreement with Stadler for the delivery of five Adler electric multiple units and three Fink units, all of which are scheduled for phased delivery by 2030. This procurement aims to relieve tight capacity constraints arising from robust seasonal leisure traffic and a marked increase in inbound, international tourist flows. The additional rolling stock will upgrade service quality across Switzerland’s emblematic scenic corridors, notably the Luzern-Interlaken and the Luzern-Engelberg, thereby reinforcing the attractiveness of Swiss Alpine travel by offering passengers enhanced comfort and seamless access to the regions’ striking vistas.

Addressing the Dual Growth Challenge of Leisure and Tourism

Renowned for integrating spectacular natural scenery with efficient travel infrastructure, the Swiss national rail grid has recorded a continuing, accelerated upsurge in visitor arrivals drawn by Alpine vistas, glacial lakes, and historic villages. The Luzern-Interlaken corridor, referenced in multiple global travel awards, has emerged as a focal point. The expansion of metre-gauge capacity through the new units is a decisive measure, enabling the Zentralbahn to absorb additional patronage, distribute seasonal spikes in passenger traffic, and uphold, or even elevate, the quality of service. Enhanced reliability and comfort of service will facilitate the seamless exploration of central Switzerland, thereby also increasing the competitive edge of rail transport over alternative travel methods.

Increasing capacity along these corridors allows Zentralbahn to bolster the tourism sector while enhancing the overall quality of the visitor experience. The incoming flotillas, comprising the new Adler and Fink units, have been engineered to incorporate contemporary quality standards so that guests may undertake their picturesque excursions with optimal ease. Each composition will be equipped with leading-edge technologies, ergonomically-suited seating, and sweeping panoramic glazing, thereby permitting unobstructed, awe-inspiring appreciation of the sweeping vistas that epitomise the Swiss landscape.

New Trains for Scenic Routes: Luzern–Interlaken and Luzern–Engelberg

To execute the expansion strategy, three Adler units will be assigned to the Luzern–Interlaken section, while an additional two will be appropriated to the Luzern–Engelberg leg. Both corridors rank among the country’s best-known tableaux, revealing luminous views of Lake Lucerne and the distinctive needle of Mount Pilatus, thus qualifying as essential objectives within the visitor itinerary. The Luzern–Interlaken alignment, with its seamless linkage of an enchanting lakeside gateway to the highlands of Brienz and the crescendo of the Bernese Oberland, routinely attracts those with ambitions to traverse the Swiss high valley, as the services flank the celebrated landmarks of Eiger and Mönch.

The Luzern-Engelberg corridor, long cherished by travellers, links the lakeside city of Luzern to Engelberg, a celebrated alpine resort revered for both winter skiing and summer hiking. With the introduction of streamlined train units, the journey to these breathtaking alpine realms will be even smoother, elevating the visitor experience and extending seamless access to some of Switzerland’s signature attractions. The augmented vehicle fleet will also accelerate train frequency, allowing tourists greater flexibility and prompting more spontaneous excursions between the two celebrated hubs.

Fink Units: Linking Meiringen and Interlaken

Complementing the Adler units, three new Fink units will be commissioned to cover the segment from Meiringen to Interlaken. Although originally envisioned as a regional service, the corridor has rapidly become a favoured axis for travellers heading toward the Bernese Oberland, offering sweeping vistas of glacier-clad peaks, verdant side valleys carved by ancient glaciers, and crystal-clear lakes. Meiringen-Interlaken not only provides a scenic shoreline crossing of Lake Brienz but also serves as the main feeder line for guests continuing to the Jungfraujoch, Europe’s loftiest railway terminal, thereby reinforcing its strategic role in the nation’s celebrated alpine itinerary.

The latest additions to the fleet—Fink trains—combine a pioneering low-floor architecture with high acceleration performance, making them a natural solution to the expanding passenger demand on Switzerland’s most frequented scenic corridor. By coupling increased passenger space with superior ergonomic features, the new stock simplifies access for international visitors and guarantees a rapid, comfortable transit through the country’s celebrated alpine vistas.

Elevating the Journey through Advanced Engineering

Incorporating the Adler and Fink rack system, the new coaches master gradients via a robust Riggenbach solution optimised for the Swiss high alpine network. This configuration supports unified acceleration performance on steep and level sections alike. Extensive on-board enhancements include ergonomic seating, oversized glazing for uninterrupted mountain panoramas, and comprehensive high-bandwidth wireless access, all designed to integrate with existing intermodal passenger services.

Given the continuing global demand for low-carbon travel, the trains employ cutting-edge regenerative braking and lightweight constructions to limit operational energy footprints, fully reinforcing Switzerland’s national eco-tourism objectives. By continually advancing its rail offerings, Zentralbahn effectively lowers the systemic ecological burden of international visitation while delivering a memorable and environmentally responsible introduction to the Swiss landscape.

Supporting Regional Tourism Growth

The debut of new rolling stock—across extended schedules—stands poised to reinforce local tourism and central Swiss economies. By shortening travel time between key nodes such as Interlaken, Luzern, and Engelberg, the transformed service corridor facilitates easier discovery of the region’s cultural and ecological assets. Stakeholders expect sustained ridership to generate measurable increases in visitor footfall, providing a predictable lift to shops, restaurants, and hotels, while encouraging the formation of innovative tour packages and guiding services.

Beyond immediate benefits, the modernisation programme aligns with the strategic imperatives of Switzerland’s national tourism policy. Constant growth in overseas arrivals mandates a parallel upgrading of the mobility pedestal—secure, predictable and user-friendly travel is the threshold by which the Utility of Switzerland as a destination is assessed by the international marketplace. Investment in reliability and comfort is therefore the strategic twin of destination promotion, safeguarding Switzerland’s aspirational position and maintaining year-round dispersal of visitors.

Conclusion: A New Chapter for Swiss Rail Tourism

Zentralbahn’s programme to introduce Adler and Fink units while simultaneously elongating service frequencies marks a progressive milestone for tourism policy and operations. The integration of quieter, more energy-efficient units reduces the environmental footprint of visitor travel, thereby advancing the twin cultural narratives of comfort and responsibility central to Swiss branding. When coupled with consistent service communication and regionally tailored packages, these enhancements create a robust platform for sustainable and profitable growth, positioning the sector for credible long-term success.

Switzerland’s rail network is entering a new chapter of modernisation, allowing visitors to enjoy an increasingly seamless experience as they traverse the country’s celebrated terrain. The combination of pioneering rolling stock, integrated ticketing, and expanded regional links means that the majestic Swiss Alps, the dramatic hiking trails of the Jungfrau region, as well as the lakeside allure of Luzern and the scenic gateways of Interlaken, will soon be reachable by ever-shorter, more comfortable trains.

From the moment of departure to the last kilometre, tourists can anticipate rail travel that is not only facilitated by cutting-edge technologies but also subtly curated to showcase the nation’s most breathtaking vistas. The projected enhancements, slated for gradual roll-out in the coming years, promise to transform rail journeys into a cornerstone of the Swiss travel experience framed by effortless efficiency and unmistakable Alpine charm.