European Railroad Discussion > Switzerland

Just returned from a two week railfan trip to Switzerland. I lived there for a few months back in 1976 while working on a research project and have been fortunate to have made repeat visits every few years.
1. An SBB Re460 entering Zurich Main Station
2. Rhaetische Bahn (RhB) steam locomotive No. 107 leading an excursion train out of Ilanz
3. RhB train led by World Heritage decorated Lok No. 650 at Preda



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 09/20/17 10:07 by birdman.

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4. RhB Re4/4-I units 605 and 603 are 70 years old and still in service at Samedan
5. RhB 704 leads a goods train at Samedan
6. The Bernina Express navigates the 100 meter radius curve on a 5 percent grade at Alp Grum



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 09/20/17 09:31 by birdman.

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7. A St. Moritz bound combination Regional Express and Glacier Express on the Landwasser Viaduct near Filisur viewed from the north lookout
8. A Samedan bound goods train on the Landwasser Viaduct viewed from the south lookout
9. An Allegra hauled train bound for Tirano, Italy at Ospizio Bernina - temperature was 30 degrees with a 30mph wind and it was snowing on Sept. 12

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A Bernina Bahn train descends the famous Brusio Loop on 7 percent grade and a 100 meter radius curve

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Excellent! Thanks.

Very interesting photos. Thanks for posting.
ALLEN

Photo #7: any idea what the large "18" panel is displayed above the tunnel entrance at the Landwasser Viaduct?

boejoe Wrote:
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> Photo #7: any idea what the large "18" panel is
> displayed above the tunnel entrance at the
> Landwasser Viaduct?


The RhB has posted about 25 signs with large numbers at various points of interest along the railroad. People can pick up a brochure at major stations describing the various points of interest. People are encouraged to take photos of the spots and submit them to the RhB via internet. Prizes will be offered for the most interesting photos. Children are especially encouraged to participate. The program is in place for a year, after which, the signs will be removed.

On the Glacier Express the train switched from-to cog/rack as necessary. At what gradient is that done? 4 percent or more? Obviously some grades like the descent into Andermatt are very steep. But The Golden Pass seemed to have no cog operation. Thanks for educating me.

Posted from iPhone

The RhB has no rack sections. Maximum grade is 4.5 percent. Minimum radius of curves is 100 meters. On the Berninabahn the minimum radius is also 100 meters but the grade can be as high as 7 percent. The Berninabahn is D.C. whereas the rest of the RhB system is A.C. The Glacier Express does not run on the Bernina Bahn but the Bernina Express does. The Stadler built Allegra railcars are equipped to run on A.C. or D.C. Different pantographs are used to match the eiectrical system. When the Glacier Express is handed over to the MGB for the stretch from Disentis to Zermatt, there are rack sections. I don't recall what the grades are on the rack sections on the Matterhorn Gotthardbahn. Only the Allegra units are equipped for A.C. and D.C operation. The locomotives on the Rhaetischebahn are A.C. only.



Edited 3 time(s). Last edit at 09/20/17 14:29 by birdman.

Very impressive birdman.
John

The RhB gets as steep as 7 percent without a rack on the Berninabahn. Likewise the climb from Montreux to the summit tunnel at Jor is mostly 6.8 percent, but the final push after Tunnel Les Avants to Jor on the Montreux Oberland Bernois(MOB) is an amazing 7.3 percent without a rack. The Matterhorn Gotthard Bahn has any section with a gradient greater than 6.5 percent equipped with a rack.

All are beautiful images!