All about Swiss railways

2024 Author: Harold Hamphrey | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 10:06

Swiss railways run through picturesque places, so many guidebooks recommend using this convenient mode of transport for travel. Road rails are built along lakes and streams, beautiful mountains with snow-capped peaks. Trains pass through the mountains through tunnels, and canyons and gorges are overcome by beautiful bridges.

In the article, we will consider which railways in Switzerland are state-owned, which are private. What are trains with gears, thanks to which you can climb even to the top of Mount Pilate? We will also give travelers tips on how to cut down on train fares, as everyone knows the high cost of transport in this rich country. Let's take a look at the photos of train cars belonging to different railways in Switzerland.

State trains

Most of the trains and established railroad tracks are owned by a state-owned company. Its name is very long, so they usually use 9-letter abbreviations - SBB-CFF-FFS, whichare written on all trains that have white with red and gray colors. They are easy to recognize at Swiss train stations by their colors.

All trains are comfortable, modern. They differ in their height. Although Switzerland is a small country, the company has more than 4,000 wagons, and the length of municipal tracks is 13,000 km. Transportation of both passengers over short and long distances and cargo is carried out.

Facilities for passengers

To enter the train car, you need to press the button on the door, the same action should be done when leaving. The seats on Swiss railway trains are comfortable, soft, and the aisles are wide. Above each seat are spacious shelves for things. The cars have the cleanest toilets with the necessary supplies.

Sitting on the train, you can not only admire the gorgeous views from the window, but also charge your phone or camera, use Wi-Fi or dine in a restaurant. For travelers with bicycles, strollers, skis and other bulky items, a special wagon with mounts is provided. The guide will take your bike with a smile and put it in the rack. After leaving the car, he will take it back to the platform and wish him a successful excursion.

The trains have corners for small children with toys, shells, slides. Children cannot sit still for a long time, so the company's leaders took care of the little passengers.

On the second floorthe seats are arranged somewhat differently: closer to each other, one behind the other or opposite. Between them there are comfortable sliding tables, so you can have a bite to eat or put a bottle of water, put a laptop or tablet. Restaurant cars are located only on the second floor, food in carts on international trains is also delivered there, but at the same time, passengers from below are notified about this using a scoreboard.

Schedule overlap

Sometimes you have to change trains to get to your destination. The accuracy of the Swiss is known to everyone, the electric trains also move with scrupulous timing. If a transfer is required, then when you exit the platform, you will have to quickly move to another platform and immediately board the next car. The schedule is designed so that you don't have to wait long, as well as look for the next train at the station.

Since the Swiss railways (the photo is in the article) are considered a popular and environmentally friendly mode of transport, in addition to the state company, there are several private railways, mainly located in the mountains. Next, we will consider several popular and beautiful routes where you can climb on special jagged overpasses.

Rack railways

There are more than 20 railways in Switzerland equipped with special gears. The mechanism is located between the rails and helps to lift the cars on the slope of the mountain.

The steepest climb in the world to climbthe train is also located in mountainous Switzerland. The gear train climbs down a 48% slope and delivers tourists to the top of Mount Pilat, which is located near the city of Lucerne. In winter, closed wagons take skiers to popular mountain areas.

Monument from the UNESCO list

The Rhaetian railway in Switzerland is considered a real monument, a miracle of technology and human labor. The most picturesque train track was built at the end of the 19th century. Now the Albulskaya and Berninskaya branches are especially popular, which amaze with the height of the rails, the passage over the deepest abysses, the most beautiful views of the mountains from the windows. It delights and scares passengers at the same time.

Narrow gauge railway connects the small town of Tuzis with the resort town of St. Moritz. It is only 67 km, however, the construction lasted 14 years. The railway passes through 42 rock tunnels and 144 bridges over chasms with viaducts. The unique bridge with a height of 136 meters consists of 6 arches and is a symbol of the Albulian road.

This passage for trains was built back in 1902 using technologies unusual for those times. This is the most amazing railway in Switzerland. Every year, millions of tourists from all over the world admire the beauties of the mountainous country, traveling by train. The routes are thought out to the smallest detail, because the Swiss love their trains very much. By rail you can get anywhere in the country, to all resorts and mountain hotels, to lakes and glaciers in the Alps.

Part of RhaetianThe road of the RhB line lies in the largest tourist area of the canton of Graubünden and reaches the border with Italy at Davos and as far as Tirano. The entire route with bridges and tunnels is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Now part of the railway in the mountains of Switzerland on this route is closed for the reconstruction of tunnels.

The slowest train

The world's slowest yet most famous train route in Switzerland departs daily from St. Moritz to Zermatt. The duration of the trip is 7.5 hours. During this time, the express passes through the mountains through 91 tunnels, crosses 291 bridges over the gorges. This Glacier Express itinerary is a must-have on any tour of the Swiss Alps.

This legendary trip will be remembered by the guests of the country for a lifetime, as the trip combines the wonders of technology and impressive landscapes.

Steep climb

The sharpest ascent is carried out by narrow-gauge trains to Mount Pilat. The uphill speed is 12 km/h, and back is even slower - 9 km/h. The track was built back in 1967, the cars are old, but the braking system has been improved.

Brakes are used parking, resistor, electric. They are independent of each other, which increases traffic safety.

High mountain narrow gauge railway

The highest railway in Switzerland is considered the highest in Europe. This is the "Jungfrau" or Jungfraubahn. It belongs to the jagged lines, follows the Bernesethe Alps and the canton of Bern. The length of the railway tracks is 9 km, while the elevation difference is 1,400 meters.

Most of the way along this route passes through tunnels (7 km) through the massifs of the Eiger and Mönch mountains and climbs to the very top of the Jungfrau. Tourists have chosen this place, as at every stop along the train you can get off and enjoy the views. So at the station "Igergletcher" you can look at the waterfalls.

At the station "Aigerwand" offers a magnificent view of the valley and the walls of the Eiger. The Icemeer stop is famous for its views of glaciers and magnificent cliffs.

From the end station, you have an all-round view of the Aletsch Glacier, the peaks of the nearby Jungfrau and Eiger mountains, and the magnificent Grindelwald valley.

Tourist Tips

• Even in the summer, when climbing mountain peaks, you need to wear warm clothes and be sure to take sunglasses.
• It is recommended on trains to take seats near the window in the first or last car of the train, as you can take not only a photo of the area, but also the train itself at numerous turns.
• Since train tickets in Switzerland can cost up to 50 euros, it is recommended to take a special travel pass for a week or 15 days. Swiss Travel System allows you not only to easily transfer from train to train without buying tickets separately, but also to ride buses, boats and even go to museums. It is very convenient and economical.