Expecting a red locomotive I had intended to photograph this train with the front of the loco against the River Reuss in the background. However seeing the train in the distance with what appeared to be a silver loco made me dash to a slightly different position and to compound the difficulty found it to be running 'bang road' as we say in England, on the track normally used by trains in the opposite direction. It was only afterwards I noticed that the SBB 'Salon Liberté' was behind the loco. The train is the 12.09 Zurich to Locarno IR and the loco is advertising the construction of the 55km Gotthard Base Tunnel which will open in a little over two years time when sights like this will be gone. This is what SBB says about the saloon - "Look back, look to the left and right, experience railway routes from entirely new perspectives. Le Salon Liberté gives you this freedom. It’s comfortable leather seats can be turned individually, up to 360 degrees, legroom inclusive. 17 flat-screen monitors will transform the train journey into a multimedia experience. Supported by a first-class hi-fi system, you’ll be able to get up to 25 guests in the mood for an impending event with your DVD or a presentation from your laptop. Use this transfer time for product presentations or simply a get-together. Allow the journey itself onboard the elegant Salon Liberté to become an experience. Refreshments and food en route are also provided for. What’s more, every trip is accompanied by an experienced tour guide" - not when you are in a 55km tunnel!
