Mikado-Express Extra train
Dining carriage «Prestige Continental-Express» or
«Suisse Train Bleu in 1st class»
June 21, 2025
Prices from: CHF 185.-
Saturday 21 June 2025 is a red-letter day in the rail enthusiast’s calendar. A train made up of dining carriages “Prestige Continental Express” and “Suisse Train Bleu 1st classe coaches” will be hauled by Mikado steam locomotive 141R 1244.
Like many countries, France suffered greatly from the devastation of the Second World War. To speed up industrial reconstruction and handle the immense transport needs associated with it, the French railway company SNCF looked to America for a powerful steam locomotive. In total, 1,340 engines – some of them already oil-fired – left the North American continent on ships in two consignments between 1945 and 1947. Following the coal shortages of 1948, further locomotives were converted to run on oil. From the outset, the 141R proved to be an outstanding choice. In 1951, it made up around 15% of the SNCF fleet. The oil-fired locomotives served in the coastal regions of Normandy, while those running on coal plied routes in the mining areas of eastern, northern and central France.
141R 1244 began its career on 25 March 1947 at the St-Roch depot, whose depot plaque (Nice) it now once again bears. Until 1951, it headed up famous trains such as the “Train Bleu”. Thereafter, it spent a number of years at the Nîmes depot, and then moved frequently from place to place. It hauled its last train on 21 October 1973.
Members of the Mikado 1244 association rescued it from the cutting torch. They then spent countless hours restoring it to its former glory. We are delighted that Mikado 141R 1244 will be at the head of our special train on Saturday 21 June 2025.
Mikado 141R 1244 technical data:
Year of construction: 1946
Entry into service: 25 March 1947
Length over buffers: 14.639 m
Top speed: 100 km/h;
Service weight: 116.25 t
Driving wheel diameter: 1.65 m
Our destination is Fribourg. This unique city, nestling in a meander in the Sarine River, is considered one of the finest examples of medieval architecture in Europe. With 200 Gothic house façades and a very well preserved architectural heritage, Fribourg is an open-air history book accessible to all.
Trip Details
Departure from Brugg at around 9 a.m. on the Mikado special train.
You have the option of traveling in the dining car including food and drinks or in 1st class.
The journey takes you via Olten and Burgdorf to Fribourg, arriving around midday.
The program in Fribourg is rotated in different groups: a short commented tour with the mini train through the picturesque corners of the old town. The second item on the program is a dive into the great world of Swiss model railroads in the Kaeserberg.
The return journey on the Mikado special train via Bern, Biel and Oensingen takes place at around 4.00 pm, arriving in Brugg at around 7.00 pm.
Your can choose between:
“Prestige Continental Express” dining car:
Elegant dining car in the style of the legendary “Orient Express” with the feeling of the Belle Époque. These luxuriously furnished carriages are air-conditioned. Tables for 4 and 2. Brunch on the outward journey and a freshly prepared three-course dinner including drinks on the return journey.
or
1st class compartments in the “Suisse Train Bleu”:
Nostalgic 1st class carriages from the 1960s with comfortable
side aisle compartments. The carriages are not air-conditioned, but are equipped with lowered windows.
The “Schützengarten” bistro and lounge car is the perfect place to relax with a coffee, glass of wine or snack.
Saturday, June 21, 2025
Departure from Brugg at around 9 a.m. on the Mikado special train.
You have the option of traveling in the dining car including food and drinks or in 1st class.
The journey takes you via Olten and Burgdorf to Fribourg, arriving around midday.
The program in Fribourg is rotated in different groups: a short commented tour with the mini train through the picturesque corners of the old town. The second item on the program is a dive into the great world of Swiss model railroads in the Kaeserberg.
The return journey on the Mikado special train via Bern, Biel and Oensingen takes place at around 4.00 pm, arriving in Brugg at around 7.00 pm.
You can choose between:
“Prestige Continental Express” dining car:
Elegant dining car in the style of the legendary “Orient Express” with the
feeling of the Belle Époque. These luxuriously furnished carriages are air-conditioned. Tables for 4 and 2. Brunch on the outward journey and a freshly prepared three-course dinner including drinks on the return journey.
or
1st class compartments in the “Suisse Train Bleu”:
Nostalgic 1st class carriages from the 1960s with comfortable
side aisle compartments. The carriages are not air-conditioned, but are equipped with lowered windows.
The “Schützengarten” bistro and lounge car is the perfect place to relax with a coffee, glass of wine or snack.
Reservation
Price per person (inkl. VAT)
plus 0.25% risk contribution for the guarantee fund
What’s included:
Travel in the Prestige Continental Express dining carriage: Brunch on the outward journey and a freshly prepared three-course dinner with drinks on the return, programme in Fribourg including Little Train tour and visit to Kaeserberg, with transfers to and from Fribourg railway station, tour manager.
Dining carriage «Prestige Continental-Express»:
Elegant dining cars in the style of the legendary Orient Express, recreating the glamour of train travel during the Belle Époque. These luxurious coaches are air-conditioned. Tables for 4 and 2.
or
Travel in a 1st-class in the “Suisse Train Bleu” carriage with four or six people to a compartment, programme in Fribourg including Little Train tour and visit to Kaeserberg, including transfer to and from Fribourg station, tour manager.
«Suisse Train Bleu» in 1st class compartments:
Nostalgic 1st-class corridor coaches from the 1960s featuring comfortable compartments. The coaches are not air-conditioned, but the windows can be lowered.
Snacks and drinks can be purchased during the journey in the “Schützengarten” bistro/lounge carriage.
The tour organiser’s general information applies. A minimum number of travellers is required for the trip to take place.