Switzerland’s Legendary Cog Railways Are Going High-Tech with Stadler

Swiss rail travel is about to get a high-tech boost. TPC has signed a EUR 144 million deal with Stadler Rail for state-of-the-art trains, set to transform Switzerland’s legendary cog railways.

Switzerland’s Transports Publics du Chablais (TPC) has officially partnered with Stadler Rail to introduce 13 brand-new trains to its network in southwestern Switzerland. The deal, valued at 140 million Swiss francs (EUR 144 million), will see Stadler deliver custom-designed rolling stock to modernize TPC’s iconic cog railway routes.

Modern Stadler Trains with Stunning Mountain Views

Passengers can look forward to spacious seating for 112 people, with a total capacity of up to 250 travelers. The trains will feature large panoramic windows, offering breathtaking views of the Swiss Alps. Recognizing the needs of mountain travelers, the new trains will include expanded storage space for luggage, bicycles, and skis. The energy-efficient design incorporates regenerative braking, which recovers energy while descending steep slopes. Additionally, the trains will feature an advanced passenger information system to enhance the travel experience.

Trains That Double as Trams

According to RailMarket, these new trains are engineered to handle gradients of up to 230‰, making them ideal for Switzerland’s historic mountain railways. Stadler’s innovative design allows them to operate on both rack-and-pinion (cog) tracks and conventional adhesion railways, meaning they can function as trams in urban areas like Aigle and Bex.

The new Stadler trains are set to debut on the Aigle–Leysin and Bex–Villars–Bretaye routes in September 2028, gradually replacing existing rolling stock. Deliveries are expected to begin earlier that year.

Stadler: Innovation and Emission Reduction

"This order marks the final phase of TPC’s fleet renewal, following the replacement of rolling stock on the Aigle-Ollon-Monthey-Champéry line in 2016 and the Aigle-Sépey-Diablerets line in 2024," said Christophe Genoud, head of passenger transport at TPC. "This investment is part of a broader infrastructure development plan, including an extension of the Aigle-Leysin line to the base of ski lifts, reinforcing our commitment to sustainable and accessible regional transport."

Barrier-Free Stadler Trains

As reported by Railvolution, the new 43-meter-long, three-car trains will be fully accessible, featuring 35 cm floor height for step-free boarding. Each train will have 1.4-meter-wide doors on both sides to ensure smooth entry and exit. These upgrades align with Switzerland’s Equal Rights Act for People with Disabilities, ensuring seamless travel for all passengers.

The Only Cog Railway in the Czech Republic

Cog railways are a common sight in mountainous Switzerland, but in the Czech Republic, there’s only one—the Tanvald-Kořenov route, as reported by České noviny. This historic railway, which recently celebrated 120 years in operation, is currently undergoing a EUR 17 million reconstruction and is scheduled for completion in February 2026. To mark the anniversary, passengers were treated to rides on historic cog locomotives, known as Rakušanky.