Switzerland’s metre gauge Rhaetian Railway (RhB) achieved global attention on October 29 by breaking the record for the longest passenger train ever operated.
Formed of 25 Stadler ‘Capricorn’ electric units (100 cars) weighing 2,990 tonnes, the record-breaking 1,906-metre-long train took around an hour to complete its run over the spectacular UNESCO World Heritage Albula Line in eastern Switzerland.
Despite a delay caused by a faulty camera link at the front of the train, the run passed without a hitch. It was witnessed by thousands gathered along the route or cycling alongside.
Following part of the route taken by the world-famous ‘Glacier Express’, the world record attempt took in the spectacular Landwasser Viaduct and the extraordinary spirals that secured the line’s international heritage status. In less than 25km (15½ miles), the train plummeted nearly 800 metres in altitude from 1,788 metres above sea level at Preda to 999.3m at Alvaneu.
The event was staged to showcase the RhB to a worldwide audience and attract visitors back to the region after the COVID-19 pandemic. Technical support and sponsorship was provided by Stadler, Siemens and ABB.
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Güntürk Üstün - 11/11/2022 15:14
The Rhaetian Railway is a Swiss transport company that owns the largest network of all private railway operators in Switzerland. Headquartered in Chur, is 51.3% owned by the Cantonal government of Graubünden, 43.1% by the Swiss Confederation, 4.6% by private shareholders and 1% by a collection of local communities. Dr. Güntürk Üstün
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Güntürk Üstün - 11/11/2022 15:17
Apart from the normal passenger coaches and the panoramic coaches used for the branded Bernina Express tourist services, the Rhaetian Railway attaches to the back of trains, according to need: * yellow open coaches with wooden benches called "vaguns panoramics", * art deco Pullman coach AS 1143, which may be hired by private parties. Dr. Güntürk Üstün
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