Edelweiss (train)

{{Short description|International express train that ran through the Low Countries, France and Switzerland}} {{DISPLAYTITLE:''Edelweiss'' (train)}}

{{Infobox rail service | box_width = | name = Edelweiss | logo = | logo_width = | image = Edelweiss-Pullman, 1928, Petitjean.jpg | image_width = | caption = Advertising poster for the ''Edelweiss'', 1928 | type = CIWL luxury train (1928–1939) Express train (1945–1957) Trans Europ Express (TEE) (1957–1979) Express train (1979–1999) | status = Discontinued | locale = Netherlands Belgium Luxembourg France Switzerland | predecessor = | first = {{start date|1928|06|15|df=y}} | last = {{end date|1999|05|29|df=y}} | successor = EC ''Jean Monnet'' | operator = | formeroperator = CIWL NMBS/SNCB CFL SNCF SBB-CFF-FFS | ridership = | start = Amsterdam CS / Brussels | stops = | end = Luzern / Basel SBB / Zürich HB | distance = | journeytime = | frequency = Daily | trainnumber = | line_used = | class = | access = | seating = | sleeping = | autorack = | catering = | observation = | entertainment = | baggage = | otherfacilities = | stock = | gauge = {{RailGauge|sg}} | el = 15 kV AC, 16.7 Hz (Basel SBB–Zürich HB) | speed = | owners = | routenumber = | map = thumb|center|250px|The route of the ''Edelweiss'', 1928–1939 and 1957–1974. | map_state = show }}

The '''''Edelweiss''''' was an international express train. For most of its existence, it linked the Netherlands with Switzerland, via Belgium, Luxembourg and France. Introduced in 1928, it was named after a mountain flower, the Edelweiss (''Leontopodium nivale''), which is associated with alpinism and the Alps, and regarded as a symbol of Switzerland.

From its introduction until it was suspended in 1939 upon the outbreak of World War II, the ''Edelweiss'' was a luxury train operated by the Compagnie Internationale des Wagons-Lits (CIWL), and ran between Amsterdam CS in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, and Luzern station in Lucerne, Switzerland.

After the war, the ''Edelweiss'' was revived, initially as an ordinary express train between Brussels, Belgium, and Basel SBB in Basel, Switzerland. In 1957, it became one of the first of the first-class-only Trans Europ Express (TEE) trains, with its southern terminus moved from Basel further southeast, to Zürich HB in Zurich, Switzerland.

In 1974, the northern terminus of the ''Edelweiss'' was moved south, from Amsterdam to Brussels.<ref name="cooks1974apr">"Summer services, 1974" (changes due to take effect). ''Thomas Cook Continental Timetable'' (March 29–April 25, 1974 edition), pp. 70, 465. Peterborough, UK: Thomas Cook Publishing.</ref> On 27 May 1979, the ''Edelweiss'' was reclassified as a two-class express,<ref name="cooks1979jun">''Thomas Cook International Timetable'' (May 27–June 30, 1979 edition), p. 6. Peterborough, UK: Thomas Cook Publishing.</ref> and on 6 April 1980 the train's Basel–Zurich section was dropped.<ref name="cooks 1980apr">''Thomas Cook International Timetable'' (March 1–April 5, 1980 edition), p. 98. Thomas Cook Publishing.</ref> On 1 June 1997, the route was re-extended from Basel to Zurich,<ref name="cooks1997may">"International services [changes to] from June 1" (May 1997). ''Thomas Cook European Timetable'', p. 28. Thomas Cook Publishing.</ref> but the ''Edelweiss'' was discontinued on 29 May 1999, replaced by the ''Jean Monnet'', which ran on the former train's schedule between Brussels and Strasbourg only, not south of Strasbourg.<ref name="cooks1999may">"Summer services [changes to] from May 30" (May 1–29, 1999). ''Thomas Cook European Timetable'', p. 3. Thomas Cook Publishing.</ref>

==See also==  * History of rail transport in Belgium * History of rail transport in Luxembourg * History of rail transport in France * History of rail transport in Switzerland * List of named passenger trains of Europe

==References==

===Notes=== {{reflist}}

===Bibliography=== * {{Malaspina-Mertens-TEE-fr}} * {{Malaspina-Mertens-TEE-it}} * {{Mertens-Malaspina-TEE-de}}

Category:International named passenger trains Category:Named passenger trains of the Netherlands Category:Named passenger trains of Belgium Category:Named passenger trains of Luxembourg Category:Named passenger trains of France Category:Named passenger trains of Switzerland Category:Trans Europ Express Category:Railway services introduced in 1928 Category:Railway services discontinued in 1999