Which train?
 

I will be going from Zurich to Lucerne for a day trip. I have 2 options, a direct train or going via arth goldeau, which is part of the scenic train system.
I understand that the Arth Goldeau train is a cog train. Is this correct? Is it scarey or not to be missed?
Thanks

I know of no cog train going to Arth Goldau. It is stop on the Cisalpino trains bound for Italy, which are express trains.

There is no need that I know of to go by way of Arth Goldau.

Perhaps you are thinking of some other destination such as Mt. Pilatus which is a cog train.

This one is reported to be the steepest cog railway in the world.

It is virtually an elevator on wheels.

Scary? I suppose so if heights bother you.

Come to think of it, a better title might get you more and better responses. Given that Europe has thousands of trains, a question about which one of an almost infinite number seemingly has failed to elicit many responses.

I believe the cog railroad line you are thinking of is the Brunig line, which goes from Luzern to Interlaken.

I know exactly what you mean. We've spent a number of weeks in Luzern and in Zurich and have gone back and forth a number of times -- with a Swiss rail pass. We had heard that taking the train from Zurich to Arth Goldau and then switching to another train to Luzern was far more scenic that the direct train from Zurich to Luzern. We did it. I didn't see the big deal at all. If you wanted to do the cog train up Mt.Rigi and you were in Zurich, you'd go to Arth Goldau to make a connection (bus I think) to get to the cog. Maybe that's where that cog part is coming into play?

I suppose the rail line in question could be the train that uses the Brünig Pass. Trains following the Golden Pass route travel between Luzern, Interlaken, Zweistimmen, Gstaad, Château-d'Oex and Montreux.

The Brünig is a pain in the kodonkus when driving between Luzern and Interlaken. I suppose the view over the Valley of the Aar River before it flows in Lake Brienz is scenic but, on the highway, traffic usually demands your full attention, particularly if there is a huge truck on your tail and slow traffic in front.

The pass is well south of Luzern, which is why I did not think that the Golden Pass train was the one under discussion, but I agree fully, it could well be the one in question.

I did not initially think so because one would NOT normally go TO Luzern from Zürich via the Brünig Pass. That route would entail traveling first to Bern and then to Interlaken Ost and then to Luzern via Sarnen.

>If you wanted to do the cog train up Mt.Rigi and you were in Zurich, you'd go to Arth Goldau to make a connection (bus I think) to get to the cog.

Actually not - the cog train to Rigi departs on the elevated platform directly above the Arth-Goldau station.

Altamiro is correct.

Go to Arth-Goldau by train. Go to the white and blue bridge over Tracks 1-3, facing Mt. Rigi. Walk to the bridge (1 min.), go up the stairs and there you are! It's called Talstation Arth-Rigibahn and it's cog-wheeled.

It's not scary but very scenic. You can also get up to Mt. Rigi via the cog wheel train from Vitznau or the cable car from Weggis.