Helvetia Express : 241-A-65 ; E 110 350 ; Be 4/4 EBT-102

On the weekend of Ascension Day 2026, the Stoom Stichting Nederland association organised a 4-day trip to Switzerland for their 50th anniversary. On Friday 15th, the journey began in Freiburg in Germany with the electric locomotive E 110,350. With an hour’s delay, the train arrived in Basel where I was waiting for it. The locomotive was separated from the train and then brought onto a track at the end of the platform to make room for the Be 4/4 EBT-102 of the VHE-Emmental association at the rear of the train and the largest manually-powered steam locomotive in Europe, the 241-A-65 of Dampflok Depot Full at the front of the train. The train therefore left an hour late, a delay it would maintain until it arrived in Lucerne, where it took the Bözberg line to Brugg AG (passing over the bridge above the BahnPark) and then continued south through Hendschiken, Wohlen and Rotkreuz before heading towards the Gotthard at Arth-Goldau. There the train would depart in the opposite direction, i.e. with the Be 4/4 at the front, to Lucerne. I saw it pass through Küssnacht am Rigi as I had managed to change trains in Lucerne, where I only had one minute. I then arrived in Lucerne just as the 241-A-65 was leaving the station. I then stayed in Lucerne to watch the shunting and the water refilling. After it arrived at the platform, I went to Sursee to see it pass at full speed. I then continue to Zofingen where I arrive before the special train and I see it pass by with little speed. I continue my journey to Basel where I arrive at 17:55 on track 5 but with a very small lead, I run to track 1 and I manage to catch the S11 that also left at 17:55. I can therefore go to Möhlin to see the 241-A-65 pass again which passed by Suhr, Lenzburg, Birr and then the Bözberg line. I follow it to Basel where the Be 4/4 is being separated from the train. The E 110,350 is then brought to its place to leave for Freiburg in Germany. The 241-A-65 follows and goes to the Basel freight yard before leaving for its depot in Full For more photos, you can visit my instagram account: www.instagram.com/swiss_steam_ 00:00 Intro 00:19 Basel SBB 08:09 Küssnacht am Rigi 09:10 Luzern 23:31 Sursee 24:15 Zofingen 25:46 Möhlin 26:37 Basel SBB