Alstom Germany will supply the bogies, which will be designed to operate on both the MOB’s metre-gauge line and BLS standard-gauge infrastructure, with the transfer between gauges taking place at Zweisimmen station. BLS will construct two tracks at the station for this purpose, which will enable testing of the newly-developed bogie to begin later this year using an existing MOB coach.

MOB says that the complexity of approving dual-gauge vehicles with two different signalling systems means GoldenPass Express services will now begin operating at the end of 2020, and not late-2019 as previously planned.

MOB says the new vehicles will feature panoramic windows and comfortable seats.