 Having already recorded steam in Germany this year, the opportunity to do the same in Switzerland arrived on 20th September 2012 when I took a ride on the Brienz Rothorn Bahn.
The only other steam powered mountain railway I've ridden on is the Snowdon Mountain Railway but this is like the SMR on steroids!
This 800mm gauge rack railway runs from Brienz to Rothorn Kulm on gradients as steep as 1 in 4 to reach a height of 2244 meters, that's 7362 feet above sea level; high altitude steam indeed!
If you are ever in the area don't miss it; while it isn't cheap (around £50 return at current exchange rates) it's a spectacular ride that's worth every penny and apparently, if you turn up on your birthday, you can get a free ride!
The start from Brienz wasn't particularly noisy but, later in the journey we are passing through the loop at Gäldried. The gradient eases here and we pass through without stopping.
The next section takes us up to the next passing loop passing through more tunnels on the way. The first of these is Härd Tunnel which is soon followed by the Planalpfluh tunnel which was original one long tunnel but has been split into three by two 'windows' in the rock face.
Eventually we reach Planalp where the loco takes water while waiting for a descending train to pass.
|
