Glarner Sprinter

Glarner Sprinter

Glarner Sprinter train near Linthal
Overview
Service type	RegioExpress
Current operator(s)	Swiss Federal Railways
Route
Start	Zurich
End	Canton of Glarus
Service frequency	Varies
On-board services
Class(es)	First and second class
Technical
Track gauge	1,435 mm (4 ft 8 1⁄2 in)
Electrification	15kV 16,7 Hz AC Overhead

The Glarner Sprinter was a named passenger train of the Swiss Federal Railways (SBB). It ran from Zurich into the canton of Glarus, and was operated as a RegioExpress service. The train provided a commuter service for passengers travelling from the towns and villages of Glarus to the greater Zurich region, whilst also providing a tourist connection (for winter sports, hiking, mountain climbing, etc.) in the opposite direction. In July 2014 it was replaced by a more frequent service as part of the Zürich S-Bahn, the S25.

Since 1918, there was no longer a direct connection from the Canton of Glarus to Zurich. The "Glarner Dream" of a direct connection to Zürich was realized by the Pendlerverein (commuter association) of the Glarus government and the SBB as a component of the Swiss Bahn 2000 modernization plan and put into service on 12 April 2004. The plan was for an hourly service, but this could not be achieved due to financial problems in the canton Glarus and technical problems on the part of the SBB.

The Glarner Sprinter ceased operation in July 2014. It was replaced by a more frequent hourly service as part of the Zürich S-Bahn, designated as the S25. Like the Glarner Sprinter, the S25 runs express to Ziegelbrücke, but it is an hourly service and all trains serve all stops to Linthal.

After leaving Zurich, the Glarner Sprinter ran along the west side of Lake Zürich, stopping only at Pfäffikon and Ziegelbrücke. From Ziegelbrücke it followed the valley of the Linth River, stopping at all intermediate stations including those for Glarus Town and Schwanden. On weekends and public holidays, the train then ran without stopping to Linthal; on other days it terminated at Schwanden.