Rhätische Bahn/Ferrovia Retica/Viafier Retica
9th May 2009 to 10th May 2009

The RhB or Rhaetian Railway is Switzerland's largest metre gauge operation. It operates in the canton of Graubunden in the SE of the country, on the border with Italy and within an area where the Romansch language is still spoken, hence the railway's three names.

As a small boy growing up in West Sussex enthralled to all things narrow gauge I could only dream of travelling on the RhB, but it's taken over 30 years to actually see the railway first hand. These pictures were taken over two days (9th and 10th May) whilst staying at Filisur on the Albula Line and junction for Davos.

A unique feature of the RhB is the Unesco World Heritage status that the Albula Line from Thusis to St Moritz and the Bernina Line from St Moritz to Tirano have been given. When I think of Unesco World Heritage sites I think of the Taj Mahal, the Pyramids or the Campo dei Miracoli in Pisa. But not a railway.

In fact the RhB has earned world heritage status on two counts; the nature of the engineering and the harmonious way the engineering has been blended into the landscape. And on both accounts it is difficult to find fault.

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The RhB often carries freight on the back of its passenger services. On Saturday afternoon a container of the Aldi-Suisse supermarket chain brought up the rear of the 12:02 St Moritz to Chur at Filisur
The RhB often carries freight on the back of its passenger services. On Saturday afternoon a container of the Aldi-Suisse supermarket chain brought up the rear of the 12:02 St Moritz to Chur at Filisur
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Albula Line (Chur to St Moritz) trains cross at Filisur. Ge 4/4 650 advertising the world heritage status awarded to the Albula and Bernina lines by Unesco on the 11:58 Chur to St Moritz.
Albula Line (Chur to St Moritz) trains cross at Filisur. Ge 4/4 650 advertising the world heritage status awarded to the Albula and Bernina lines by Unesco on the 11:58 Chur to St Moritz.
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This train conveys a full service dining car. The building on the right is the Grischuna Hotel, location of the Filisur webcam.
This train conveys a full service dining car. The building on the right is the Grischuna Hotel, location of the Filisur webcam.
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The 13:32 Davos Platz to Filisur local train approaching Filisur.
The 13:32 Davos Platz to Filisur local train approaching Filisur.
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The Landwasser Viaduct on the approach to Filisur is one of the iconic images of the RhB. Unfortunately at the moment it is covered in scaffolding and hidden by a shroud. So the approach viaduct will have to do. Here the 12:58 from Chur behind yet another Ge 4/4 of the third series approaches the Landwasser Viaduct, just below us to the right.
The Landwasser Viaduct on the approach to Filisur is one of the iconic images of the RhB. Unfortunately at the moment it is covered in scaffolding and hidden by a shroud. So the approach viaduct will have to do. Here the 12:58 from Chur behind yet another Ge 4/4 of the third series approaches the Landwasser Viaduct, just below us to the right.
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About 10 minutes later the 13:02 from St Moritz headed towards Tiefencastel and Thusis.
About 10 minutes later the 13:02 from St Moritz headed towards Tiefencastel and Thusis.
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As you can see from the state of the blossom and leaf growth spring is about a month behind the UK.
As you can see from the state of the blossom and leaf growth spring is about a month behind the UK.
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The 15:32 Davos Platz to Filisur crossing the Wiesen Viaduct which spans the Landwasser river, 88m below. The pedestrian walkway is not for those who, like me, are uncomfortable on high places
The 15:32 Davos Platz to Filisur crossing the Wiesen Viaduct which spans the Landwasser river, 88m below. The pedestrian walkway is not for those who, like me, are uncomfortable on high places
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We caught the next train back to Filisur, the 16:32 from Davos, here pulling in to Wiesen.
We caught the next train back to Filisur, the 16:32 from Davos, here pulling in to Wiesen.
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Back at Filisur the onward connection to St Moritz was none other than the Glacier Express, complete with through cars from Chur and Zermatt. Here it climbs away from Filisur and is about to enter a spiral to gain height.
Back at Filisur the onward connection to St Moritz was none other than the Glacier Express, complete with through cars from Chur and Zermatt. Here it climbs away from Filisur and is about to enter a spiral to gain height.
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Switzerland is amazingly well organised for outdoor activities. This footpath sign directs you to views of the viaducts and further afield and also shows public transport connections
Switzerland is amazingly well organised for outdoor activities. This footpath sign directs you to views of the viaducts and further afield and also shows public transport connections
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The RhB take great pride in their two named trains, the Glacier and Bernina Experesses. Here they are advertised in 6 languages.
The RhB take great pride in their two named trains, the Glacier and Bernina Experesses. Here they are advertised in 6 languages.
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After our walk to Wiesen we stopped for a beer in the Filisur station cafe. The 17:02 from St Moritz descends towards the station .
After our walk to Wiesen we stopped for a beer in the Filisur station cafe. The 17:02 from St Moritz descends towards the station .
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On Sunday morning the first train of the day, the 06:48 from Chur departs Filisur at 08:02. The Hotel Grischuna is on the left. Highly recommended.
On Sunday morning the first train of the day, the 06:48 from Chur departs Filisur at 08:02. The Hotel Grischuna is on the left. Highly recommended.
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Between Filisur and Tiefencastel the Albula line winds its way along the hillside. The 07:58 from Chur is in the hands of one of the RhB's older 6 axle power.
Between Filisur and Tiefencastel the Albula line winds its way along the hillside. The 07:58 from Chur is in the hands of one of the RhB's older 6 axle power.
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The multi-lingual nature of Graubunden is evident in the different names of the railway on the loco and the baggage car.
The multi-lingual nature of Graubunden is evident in the different names of the railway on the loco and the baggage car.
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The 08:02 from St Moritz
The 08:02 from St Moritz
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 All the Ge 4/4 series 3 wear advertising liveries. We saw 650 yesterday, it's promoting the railway's world heritage status.
All the Ge 4/4 series 3 wear advertising liveries. We saw 650 yesterday, it's promoting the railway's world heritage status.
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This view of the Wiesen viaduct was taken from the Davos road. The station is a long way from the village
This view of the Wiesen viaduct was taken from the Davos road. The station is a long way from the village
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Sunday was Mother's Day in Switzerland and to celebrate the RhB ran a steam special from Landquart to Chur via Davos. The elderly 2-8-0 was given a helping hand as far as Davos, here on the approach to Klosters.
Sunday was Mother's Day in Switzerland and to celebrate the RhB ran a steam special from Landquart to Chur via Davos. The elderly 2-8-0 was given a helping hand as far as Davos, here on the approach to Klosters.
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The Ge 6/6 was doing all the work, the steam engine contributing the odd blast on it's whistle.
The Ge 6/6 was doing all the work, the steam engine contributing the odd blast on it's whistle.
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At Klosters the special was passed by the 10:47 Landquart to Davos Platz.
At Klosters the special was passed by the 10:47 Landquart to Davos Platz.
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The Ge 4/4 is pulling a push pull set, routinely used on these services.
The Ge 4/4 is pulling a push pull set, routinely used on these services.
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The special still had its helper
The special still had its helper
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