Switzerland's railways run through scenic spots, so many travel guides recommend using this convenient mode of transport for travel. Rails of roads along lakes and streams, beautiful mountains with snow-capped peaks are built. Trains pass through the mountains through tunnels, and canyons and gorges are overcome through beautiful bridges.
In the article, we will consider which Swiss railways are public and which are private. What are trains with gears, thanks to which you can even climb to the top of Mount Pilate? We will also give travelers tips on how to reduce the cost of travel by train, because everyone knows the high cost of transport in this rich country. Consider the photos of train cars belonging to different railways in Switzerland.
State trains
Most trains and paved railways are owned by a state-owned company. Its name is very long, therefore they usually use abbreviations of 9 letters - SBB-CFF-FFS, which are written on all trains that are white with red and gray. They are easily recognizable at Swiss stations by color.
All trains are comfortable, modern. They differ in their number of storeys. Although Switzerland is a small country, the company has more than 4,000 wagons, and the length of municipal routes is 13,000 km. Transportation of passengers over short and long distances, as well as cargo.
Facilities for passengers
To enter the train car, you need to click on the button on the door, the same action should be performed at the exit. The seats on the Swiss railways are comfortable, soft, wide aisles. Spacious shelves for things are located above each seat. The cars have clean toilets with the necessary accessories.
Sitting on the train, you can not only enjoy the gorgeous views from the window, but also charge your phone or camera, use Wi-Fi or dine in the restaurant. For travelers with bicycles, strollers, skis and other bulky items, a special carriage with mounts is provided. The guide with a smile will take your bike and put it in a rack. After leaving the car, he will take him back to the platform and wish a successful excursion.
The trains have corners for young children with toys, shells, slides. Children can not sit for long without movement, so the company leaders took care of the small passengers.
On the second floor, the seats are located somewhat differently: closer to each other, one after the other or vice versa. Between them there are convenient sliding tables, so you can have a bite 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 transported there, but at the same time, passengers from below are notified about this with the help of a panel.
Schedule matching
Sometimes, to get to the destination, you need to change trains from one train to another. The accuracy of the Swiss is known to all, the trains also move with a meticulous calculation of time. If a transplant is required, then when you exit the apron you will have to quickly move to another platform and immediately get into the next carriage. The schedule is made so that you do not have to wait long, as well as look for the next train at the station.
Since the Swiss railways (photo is in the article) are considered a popular and environmentally friendly mode of transport, in addition to the state-owned company, there are several more private railways, mainly located in the mountains. Next, we will consider several popular and beautiful routes where you can climb on special toothed viaducts.
Cog Railway
In Switzerland, there are more than 20 railways equipped with a special gear transmission. The mechanism is located between the rails and helps to lift the cars on a mountain slope.
The steepest climb in the world on which the train climbs is also located in the mountainous Switzerland. The gear train rises at a slope of 48% and takes tourists to the top of Pilate Mountain, which is located near the city of Lucerne. In winter, boxcars lift skiers to popular mountain areas.
UNESCO Monument
A true monument, a miracle of technology and human labor, is the Rhetian Railway in Switzerland. The most scenic train route was built at the end of the 19th century. The Albulskaya and Berninskaya branches, which are striking in the height of the rails, passing over the deepest abysses, and beautiful views of the mountains from the windows, are especially popular. It delights and frightens passengers at the same time.
A narrow gauge railway connects the small town of Tuzis with the resort site of St. Moritz. It is only 67 km, however, the construction lasted 14 years. The railway passes through 42 tunnels cut into the rocks, and along 144 bridges over the abysses with viaducts. The unique 136 meters high bridge consists of 6 arches and is a symbol of the Albulian road.
This train passage 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 a mountainous country, traveling by train. The routes are thought out to the smallest detail, because the Swiss really love their trains. On rails you can get anywhere in the country, to all resorts and mountain hotels, to lakes and glaciers in the Alps.
A part of the RhB Rhetian road lies in the largest tourist area of the canton of Graubünden and reaches the borders with Italy in Davos and to Tirano. All the way with bridges and tunnels is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Now partially the railway in the mountains of Switzerland on this route is closed for the reconstruction of tunnels.
Slowest train
Every day, the slowest and still the most famous train route in the world departs from St. Moritz to Zermatt for Switzerland. 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 gorges. This Glacier Express itinerary is a must for any tour of the Swiss Alps.
This legendary trip will be remembered by the guests of the country for life, since the trip combines the wonders of technology and impressive landscapes.
The steep climb
The sharpest climb is performed by trains along a narrow gauge railway to Mount Pilate. The rate of climb uphill is 12 km / h, and back even slower - 9 km / h. The track was built back in 1967, the wagons are used old, but the braking system is improved.
Brakes are used parking, resistor, electric. They are independent of each other, which increases traffic safety.
Alpine narrow gauge
The highest railway in Switzerland is also considered the highest in Europe. This is Jungfrau or Jungfraubahn. It belongs to the serrated lines, follows the Bernese Alps and the canton of Bern. The length of the railway is 9 km, with a vertical drop of 1,400 meters.
Most of the route along this route passes through tunnels (7 km) through the massif of the Eiger and Mench mountains and rises to the very top of Jungfrau. This place was chosen by tourists, because at each stop along the train you can go out and enjoy the views. So at the station "Aygergletcher" you can look at the waterfalls.
The Eigerwand station offers magnificent views of the valley and the walls of Eiger. The Ismeer stop is famous for glaciers and magnificent cliffs.
From the terminal station, a panoramic view opens up on the Aletsch Glacier, the peaks of the nearby Jungfrau and Eiger mountains, as well as the magnificent Grindelwald Valley.
Travel Tips
- Even in the summer, when climbing mountain peaks, you need to wear warm clothes and be sure to take sunglasses.
- It is recommended to take seats in trains near the window in the first or last train car, as you can take not only a photo of the terrain, but also the train itself at numerous turns.
- Since train tickets in Switzerland can reach 50 euros, it is recommended to take a special travel card for a week or 15 days. The Swiss Travel System not only allows you to easily transfer from train to train without buying tickets separately, but also ride on buses, boats and even go to museums. It is very convenient and economical.