60 years Trans Europ Express (TEE) 1957 to 2017, this was the reason for a journey of the only first class RAe TEE II trainset # 1053 of SBB Historic to Domodossola. The train ran from Olten via Berne and the Lötschberg mountain line to Brig, then through the more then 19 kilometer long Simplon tunnel to Domodossola/Italy. The return trip went back through the Simplon tunnel to Brig, then through the Valais via Lausanne-Berne back to Olten. The electric RAe TEE II trainsets, capable for the 4 electric power systems of Europe, were built in 1961 (4 trains) and 1966 (fifth train) and had 5 cars including sixaxle motor van with kitchen and dining car with a bar, another first class coach was added in 1966 to bring the seat capacity to 168. From july 2nd 1961 this fast (up to 160 km/h), comfortable and elegant first class trains ran the TEE Cisalpin between Paris and Milan via the Simplon for 13 years till may 25, 1974. Then the Cisalpin was changed to a loco hauled train with a larger capacity. The RAe TEE II 1053 is leaving the 19803 meter long Simlon tunnel I (the other single bore Simplon II on the left is 19823 meter long) at Iselle di Trasquera in Italy (the border between Switzerland and Italy is about in the middle of the tunnel).
