25 years of the
Alpine Classic Pullman Express
Inauguration of the RhB Pullman locomotive & anniversary rail trip
21 to 22 or 23 March 2025
Prices from: CHF 985.-
The Alpine Classic Pullman Express,
also known as the Orient Express of the Alps, is getting its own locomotive: a BoBo II bearing the number 626, which will now haul the elegant carriages in the enchanting Art Deco style of the early 20th century on the Rhaetian Railway (RhB) network through the canton of Graubünden.
Decked out in a new livery to match the Alpine Classic Pullman Express, Ge 4/4 II 626 is beginning a new career with the historic passenger cars. Bearing the name “Malans” and built by Swiss Locomotive and Machine Works in cooperation with Brown Boveri Münchenstein, the locomotive joined the RhB fleet on 28 June 1984 and was decorated in the classic RhB red paint scheme applied to all newly acquired rolling stock from the early 1980s onwards. It was subsequently used on local and freight services, but most notably the Glacier Express, one of the RhB’s flagship trains. In the festivities surrounding the opening of the new Albula Tunnel in early June 2024, it was paired up with a Ge 4/4 III to haul a shuttle train with an extra observation car between Preda and Spinas.
The locomotive is now embarking on a new chapter in its career, one that transports it back to a time long before its own launch. To ready it for this new task, it was sent to the main RhB workshops in Landquart, where it was repainted by specialists in the signature blue and cream livery of the time, together with lettering in the appropriate early 20th-century style.
The RhB is adding the name “Alby Glatt” to the new Pullman locomotive in honour of his work on the Alpine Classic Pullman Express.
Familiar to aficionados worldwide as “Mister Pullman”, Alby Glatt (1933–2014) was best known for his passion for the grand old days of European luxury trains: a passion which prompted him to bring them back to Europe’s rail network. In the early 1970s he began collecting classic CIWL (Compagnie Internationale des Wagons-Lits) and German Railways Rheingold coaches from the 1920s and 1930s and restoring them to their original condition with meticulous attention to detail. He then set his “Nostalgie Istanbul Orient Express” fleet to work on long-distance trips and tours internationally.
From Golden Mountain Pullman Express to Alpine Classic Pullman Express
In 1931, the Compagnie Internationale des Wagons-Lits (CIWL) launched a new connection between the then world-famous health resorts of Montreux and Interlaken. Four narrow-gauge Pullman cars – the only ones in the CIWL fleet – were acquired for the metre-gauge MOB Montreux–Zweisimmen line. Guests had to change to standard-gauge dining and Pullman cars in Zweisimmen to continue their journey to Interlaken. The coaches were built by the Schweizerische Industrie-Gesellschaft in Neuhausen. The intricate inlay work was decorated by René Prou (1889–1947), an interior designer from France whose work included sleeping cars, transatlantic steamers (Normandie, Île-de-France), the dining room of the Waldorf Astoria Hotel in New York and a conference room at the Palais des Nations (now the UN) in Geneva.
Following its official inauguration on 14 June 1931, the train operated for that one brief summer, and was withdrawn from service after just a few months owing to the Great Depression.
In 1939, the RhB acquired the coaches and used them on its network as “saloon cars”. By the end of the 1990s, the era of the only original narrow-gauge Pullman cars seemed to be at an end, and the vehicles were destined for the scrapheap.
In December 1996, together with Willy Hochstrasser (1937–2024), the Rhaetian Railway’s former head of marketing, Alby Glatt founded the Pro Salonwagen RhB association and embarked on the preservation and return to service of the historic blue and cream coaches, which would have been lost without his intervention. Some 25 years ago, the coaches were expertly restored with the assistance of Graubünden’s heritage preservation service. They now operate under the Alpine Classic Pullman Express badge. Alby Glatt became an honorary member of the association in May 2009.
By rescuing the RhB CIWL coaches, Alby Glatt brought the art of travelling in style to the Rhaetian Railway, in what he was fond of terming “cruises through the Alps”. Shortly afterwards, the piano bar of the Nostalgie Istanbul Orient Express provided the inspiration for the narrow-gauge version of the same name that now runs in Graubünden. Alby Glatt helped put comfort back at the heart of rail travel, delighting countless travellers in the process.
The piano bar coach was added to the Pullman train on 4 December 2010. The former Bernina dining car WR-S 3814 has become the pride of the RhB’s luxury fleet. It now bears the number WR-S 3820.
Before the start of the new millennium, the Golden Mountain Pullman Express of 1931 became the stylish Alpine Classic Pullman Express. Resplendent in its new finery, the train welcomed its first members of the public in summer 2000.
In a move perfectly timed to coincide with the Alpine Classic Pullman Express’s 25th birthday, the train is now receiving its own locomotive, which will in future haul it on the railways of the canton of Graubünden. Join us in the beautiful Engadin to celebrate the official inauguration of the Pullman locomotive and take the train ride marking 25 years of the Alpine Classic Pullman Express the following day, with the newly launched locomotive coupled to its coaches for the first time.
Trip Details
Friday 21 March to Saturday 22 March 2025
Own travel arrangements to Samedan and the Hotel Bernina 1865****, located a short distance from the railway station. The pink building with its two neoclassical wings was completed in 1865 and is the oldest hotel in the Engadin.
We gather at the railway station in Samedan at around 4 p.m. for the official inauguration of the new Pullman locomotive Ge 4/4 II 626 “Malans”. Following the ceremony, we return to the Hotel Bernina for a gourmet dinner in the wonderful Imperial Hall. The theme for the evening is the Orient Express and the golden age of the 1920s.
There will be an auction of collector’s pieces from the era of the Nostalgie Istanbul Orient Express, with the proceeds going to the account for donations to fund the refurbishment of the RhB’s Pullman and saloon cars. After more than 25 years, the seat covers and carpets of the historic Alpine Classic Pullman Express coaches are showing their age, while their appearance since the major overhaul in 1997–1998 has been the subject of much debate.
Pictures showing the interior of Compagnie Internationale des Wagons-Lits (CIWL) coach 4151 from the SNCF’s Orient Express have also recently been circulating, in which the pattern of the seat covers and carpets are strikingly similar to those in the RhB coaches, but create a more harmonious and pleasant impression. The aim is to fit the coaches out with original carpets and upholstery when they are next renovated. Pro Salonwagen RhB has launched an appeal for donations to conserve this unique cultural heritage and keep it alive for generations to come.
After breakfast at the hotel, we climb aboard and take our seats for the inaugural trip. At the same time, we celebrate 25 years of the Alpine Classic Pullman Express. The “Alby Glatt” locomotive will haul the stylish special train consisting of three Pullman and three dining cars, along with the piano bar and baggage car, from Samedan through the canton of Graubünden.
Drinks are served on board as we travel into the Lower Engadin and stop off at Guarda. Known for the children’s story “A Bell for Ursli”, the village is one of the most beautiful spots in Graubünden. We take a tour with local guides to view the picturesque Engadin houses with their paintings and sgraffito.
We then continue our journey on the anniversary train via the Vereina Tunnel into the Prättigau. We dine en route and watch the constantly changing landscape slip by beyond the train’s windows. A freshly prepared gourmet lunch awaits us in the dining car. The route takes us via Landquart and Chur to Thusis and on the Albula line back into the Engadin. In 2008, the Albula and Bernina railway lines between Thusis and Tirano were inscribed in the UNESCO World Heritage List.
In the piano bar, pianist Pepe provides refined musical accompaniment, while barman Renato mixes tasty cocktails in his shaker. The Alpine Classic Pullman Express arrives back at Samedan railway station at around 5 p.m. Own departure arrangements. It is possible to extend your stay to take the Engadin steam-train ride.
Friday 21 March 2025
Own travel arrangements to Samedan and the Hotel Bernina 1865****, located a short distance from the railway station. The pink building with its two neoclassical wings was completed in 1865 and is the oldest hotel in the Engadin.
We gather at the railway station in Samedan at around 4 p.m. for the official inauguration of the new Pullman locomotive Ge 4/4 II 626 “Malans”. Following the ceremony, we return to the Hotel Bernina for a gourmet dinner in the wonderful Imperial Hall. The theme for the evening is the Orient Express and the golden age of the 1920s.
There will be an auction of collector’s pieces from the era of the Nostalgie Istanbul Orient Express, with the proceeds going to the account for donations to fund the refurbishment of the RhB’s Pullman and saloon cars. After more than 25 years, the seat covers and carpets of the historic Alpine Classic Pullman Express coaches are showing their age, while their appearance since the major overhaul in 1997–1998 has been the subject of much debate.
Pictures showing the interior of Compagnie Internationale des Wagons-Lits (CIWL) coach 4151 from the SNCF’s Orient Express have also recently been circulating, in which the pattern of the seat covers and carpets are strikingly similar to those in the RhB coaches, but create a more harmonious and pleasant impression. The aim is to fit the coaches out with original carpets and upholstery when they are next renovated. Pro Salonwagen RhB has launched an appeal for donations to conserve this unique cultural heritage and keep it alive for generations to come.
Saturday 22 March 2025
After breakfast at the hotel, we climb aboard and take our seats for the inaugural trip. At the same time, we celebrate 25 years of the Alpine Classic Pullman Express. The “Alby Glatt” locomotive will haul the stylish special train consisting of three Pullman and three dining cars, along with the piano bar and baggage car, from Samedan through the canton of Graubünden.
Drinks are served on board as we travel into the Lower Engadin and stop off at Guarda. Known for the children’s story “A Bell for Ursli”, the village is one of the most beautiful spots in Graubünden. We take a tour with local guides to view the picturesque Engadin houses with their paintings and sgraffito.
We then continue our journey on the anniversary train via the Vereina Tunnel into the Prättigau. We dine en route and watch the constantly changing landscape slip by beyond the train’s windows. A freshly prepared gourmet lunch awaits us in the dining car. The route takes us via Landquart and Chur to Thusis and on the Albula line back into the Engadin. In 2008, the Albula and Bernina railway lines between Thusis and Tirano were inscribed in the UNESCO World Heritage List.
In the piano bar, pianist Pepe provides refined musical accompaniment, while barman Renato mixes tasty cocktails in his shaker. The Alpine Classic Pullman Express arrives back at Samedan railway station at around 5 p.m. Own departure arrangements. It is possible to extend your stay to take the Engadin steam-train ride.
Hotels in Samedan
Hotel Bernina 1865 or nearby hotel in Samedan:
Double Room: CHF 985.- | Single Room: CHF 1’150.-
Booking
plus 0.25% risk contribution for the guarantee fund
What’s included:
Official locomotive inauguration ceremony, festive Orient Express evening including dinner and accompanying drinks, overnight accommodation with breakfast at the Hotel Bernina 1865 or a nearby hotel in Samedan, hotel tax, inaugural and anniversary trip on the special Alpine Classic Pullman Express train as described, reserved seats in the Pullman and dining cars, aperitif and lunch with drinks on board, costs of transporting the Pullman locomotive and coaches to the Engadin, guided tour in Guarda, transfers between Guarda railway station and the entrance to the village and back, documentation, tour manager.
Thanks to our long-standing relationship with the Rhaetian Railway, we have received special permission to organise and run this anniversary trip and can offer it at a very special price.
Programme subject to change. The organiser’s general information and conditions of travel apply. A minimum number of travellers is required for the trip to take place.