Travelling as head waiter with Sir Winston Churchill on board.
“My cousin Hans Hafner was a head waiter with SBB. He worked when Sir Winston Churchill was on board on the route from Geneva to Zurich via Bern.
On this same day his wife gave birth to their daughter. As the train passed through Brugg, where my cousin lived, Churchill stood with him at the window and they waved at the many people gathered there. He received a card with a personal signature by way of thanks.
Every time I visited my cousin, he proudly told me the about this experience and showed me photos and the card from Churchill.”
Werner Hafner
Three castles trip on the Red Arrow “Churchill”.
“At the end of the 1970s, I completed my training as a member of the operating staff with SBB. In Altstätten SG, Ernst Ebneter was a committed railway employee and organised excursion trips on the Red Arrow. I accompanied and supported him and the guests as an assistant. One unforgettable journey was the “three castles trip”. The route ran from Altstätten SG to Schaffhausen-Lenzburg-Sargans and back to Altstätten SG. We visited the Munot fortification in Schaffhausen, and the castles in Lenzburg und Sargans. The catering, the weather and the composition of the group were crucial for the success of a trip such as this. On this journey in early summer, everything was just right. Cool white wine was in demand in the sunny, warm weather. One of my tasks was to keep the group together, and to get them all back to the Red Arrow on time after the tours. The atmosphere was superb and the surroundings and the lakes en route were incredible. We met up in the evening with everybody present and in the best of moods in Altstätten SG. 40 years later, the participants still talk about this successful trip. I will always recall this day as though it were yesterday.”
Brunhild Hartmeyer
To the Rhine Falls at Schaffhausen on the Churchill.
“My wife and I had a special experience on the Churchill on 1 August, although unfortunately I can no longer remember which year. Our journey began at Zurich main station. We reached the Rhine Falls in Neuhausen via the Zurich hinterland towards late evening. The Red Arrow stopped in the middle of the railway bridge over the Rhine. We were able to admire the fireworks above the town of Neuhausen am Rheinfall from there before returning to Zurich.”
Eduard Hürzeler