Galcier Express - Switzerland

History

Eight hours´ journey in world-known Glacier Railway Express from St.Moritz, via mountains and valleys takes the route to 291 kms distant town of Zermatt. People do not overcome this way (from popular holiday and relax centre to the other one) in luxurious carriages of 1st class owing to transfer only, but they like to enjoy the way itself. This route offers wonderful views of Swiss Alps as well as transit through pass of High Alps and real mountain romanticism in the altitude of 2033 metres above sea level. A magnificient triumph os Swiss engineers´ and mountain building technics was established at the beginning of 20th century. After years of heavy railway constructions and tunnels, the first train was pushed ahead by means of steam engines on 20th June 1933.

Nevertheless, even since 1982, this dangerous route is secured in such way that the trains could pass there even in winter period. Since 1993, luxurious saloon sighseeing waggons belong to outfits of the slowest fast train of the world. The equipment of such comfort fast train cost twenty-five millions CHF. One railway expert from Bern declared that this Glacier Express  does not exist at all, because the express is in ownership of three different companies, so they are three various trains. Each company could change the engine in its area, so the independent could be presented in such way. So, Rhatish Railway starts in St.Moritz, in Disentis Abbey the responsability is taken by Furka-Oberalp Railway Company, and finally, from Visp up to Zermatt, the route is under supervision of Zermatt Railway Company. In past, the passengers were forced to change on borders of each railway company, but at present, all these railway companies have their common system of charges. To tell the truth, this step proved to be as very reasonable, as more and more tourists from all over the world are interested in buying the tickets across Swiss mountains and glaciers, so that the necessary places in trains are to be reserved many weeks in advance. So, four trains are on way daily, including one completely glassed express train, projected by Mr. Pinifarina, Italian designer, specially for this route  

Present time

The excursion starts in St.Moritz, The town is placed in an altitude of 1775 metres above sea level. The train mounts from Engadin, with a speed of 60 kms/h, in direction to Albula Tunnel. In this section, you have to admire the art of Swiss tunnel-builders. At first, the tunnel appears in the altitude of 1792 metres, and shortly afterthat, follows the next one, in the height of 1376 metres. Even the following viaduct at Filisur belongs to masterpiece works of early engineers building art. After crossing Filisur, you can admire Lenzer Horn, placed in an altitude of 2900 metres. When the train passes the castles and chateaux at foot of Domlesch Mountain, there is right time to set to tables in dining car. Anyway, owing to steep mounting and dropping, Swiss wine is being served in glasses with its incline feets, manufactured specially for this express train.

Later, the passengers can fully enjoy the view to Galenstock Mountain, 3583 metres high. When express train leaves this small abyss on the bank of Rhine-river, the route overcomes steep Great Alps Pass, arriving to waterfall and Furka-Pass. Here, the train immerses the tunnel, which is 15 kms long. When the express emerges from dark again, the passengers can see and admire the first peaks of Matterhorn area with mountains, exceeding the heights of 4000 metres. Nevertheless, Matterhorn Peak could be watched at the end of the journey, in a moment when the train enters Zermatt railway station. The passengers are quite tired from eight hours lasting journey but, on the other hand, full of experience.

Text: Denisa Arvajová

Translation. ing. Jan Jonáš

Photo: Wikimedia Commons, jay8085, ch-info.ch, Tobias Alt, Sunna, Chriusha, Champer, Daniel Schwen