The train then climbs into the Bernese Alps, facing a maximum grade of 23‰ before arriving at the first intermediate stop of Montbovon, 22.1 kilometres (13.7 mi) and 48 minutes from Montreux.

The train continues climbing, rising more than 1,260 metres (4,130 ft) above sea level near Saanenmöser before arriving in Zweisimmen, two hours and four minutes and 62.4 kilometres (38.8 mi) from Montreux.

[2][3] The idea of one railway line connecting the Riviera with the lakes of Thun and Brienz region was broached by the Bernese government in 1873.

[6][7] From 20 March 2023 onwards, The GoldenPass Express was limited to the meter-gauge section of the line between Zweisimmen and Montreux, due to increased wear on standard-gauge tracks caused by the variable gauge rolling stock.

[8] The issue was later resolved by reducing the standard-gauge wheel spacing by a few millimetres, and through running services resumed on 11 June 2023 with one daily round trip.

The service was set to expand to four daily round trips until end of July 2023 as more rolling stock was modified.