Would it be worth ditching a Bernina Express Reservation to get a local train?

[signed]

I am going on the Bernina (northbound for the whole thing) in a few days, and after reading some posts here, it seems to be recommended to avoid the panorama cars and just do the local trains (changing at Pontresina and Samedan)

However I got my reservation on the panorama (in 1st) a few months ago and they aren't refundable.

I am not against ditching and get locals, what are your opinions?

 

[30907]

I am going on the Bernina (northbound for the whole thing) in a few days, and after reading some posts here, it seems to be recommended to avoid the panorama cars and just do the local trains (changing at Pontresina and Samedan)

However I got my reservation on the panorama (in 1st) a few months ago and they aren't refundable.

I am not against ditching and get locals, what are your opinions?

Think the consensus was more that you don't need to do the Bernina Express to get the Bernina experience. However, the Panoramic cars are nice (in low season they get used on ordinary trains with no supplement, which is how I know).

I presume the reservation is non-refundable? If so I think I would occupy my seat, but if the train is terribly crowded or full of tourists (!) hogging the two (?) droplights just swap to the power cars at a convenient station or wait for the next train (or both).

Incidentally, if you are a photographer the 7-car units on the Albula section with their special photo car are a good bet.

 

[signed]

Ended up taking the Panorama Car, sadly it rained a bit at Grüm, but since it was the first northbound it was sparsely populated. The southbound ones were however quite packed.

I would recommend them even though the glare is really awful on those windows in some passages

And they ended up giving to everyone the Bernina decorated metal Lindt chocolate box (which retails on the same train for CHF10) and a ice tea brick (retails for CHF2) which was a nice surprise, I don't know whether it's for First Class only.

 

[SeanG]

Last winter we did Chur - Tirano in a panorama car on the Bernina Express. It was excellent and well worth the money.
We came back on local trains, changing in San Moritz, and as we had first class tickets we sat at the front so that we could see out of the front of the cab. It was also an excellent experience and gave a different perspective.