Transfer of the "Blue Train" from Berlin to Oensingen

At the end of March 2019, the blue 1st class long-distance express train from the German company IGE Erlebnisreisen was sold to International Rolling Stock Investment GmbH (IRSI) in Frauenfeld. Over the past few months, the new owner has had the carriages overhauled at the Neustrelitz railroad works near Berlin so that they are once again technically up to date and can be used for steam train journeys and other adventure trips in the future.

For the cross-border transfer journey, the travel company ZRT Bahnreisen took the opportunity to combine the train journey with an extended weekend in Berlin. Particular attention was paid to compliance with the Covid-19 protective measures. The newly overhauled Re 421 387 was used as the locomotive, pulling an air-conditioned SBB 1st class carriage with 2 and 4-seater compartments and a Swiss RailCar dining car (former EW IV prototype) for the passengers.

"Thanks to our long-standing and close cooperation, we were able to offer our customers an exclusive and extraordinary travel experience. Who has ever been able to claim to have undertaken a city trip and a transfer journey at the same time?"

says André Pellet, Managing Director and owner of ZRT Bahnreisen.

The companies TR Trans Rail, Rail Event and ZRT Bahnreisen will work together in future to ensure that the blue 1st class long-distance express train continues to be used at home and abroad, providing many rail travelers with unforgettable travel experiences. This means that nothing stands in the way of the successful, cross-border operation of the former long-distance express train for tourist and event travel.