100 years Chur-Disentis line

In 1912 the line Chur-Disentis became operational, connecting the capital of Graubünden (Grisons) with Disentis in the Surselva region. Disentis is best known for its imposing Benedictin monastery (founded ca 720). It is also the station where the RhB connects with the MGB (Matterhorn Gotthard Bahn).
The line slowly runs up through the Rhine valley with grades varying between 1,5 to 2,7%. The most spectacular part is between Reichenau and Castrisch (near Ilanz) where the railway follows the Rhine through the narrow "Ruinaulta" (the Rhine gorge). In 1922, ten years after the opening, the line was electrified.

On occasion of the 100th anniversary, the RhB, provided Ge 4/4 II 630 with a special paint scheme, in the same way as was done with other loco's for 100 years Albula and Bernina-line.

Ge 4/4 II 630 with goods train from Samedan to Landquart.
Filisur, 05-06-2012.

The Landwasser Viaduct

The Landwasser viaduct is probably the best known viaduct of the Rhätische Bahn, the Rhaetian railway. The viaduct is built across the Landwasser, a tribute to the Albula river, which itself is tribute to the Rhine. Built in 1901-1902 the 65 m high and 135 m long curved viaduct leads directly into the Landwasser tunnel (216 m long) in the rock on the opposite side.

In the vicinity of the viaduct, two vieuwpoints have been installed for the many railfans and train photographers that visit the area enabling them to have a perfect and secure outlook on the viaduct.

One vieuwpoint is situated on the Filisur-side of the landwasser at the end of a path some 30 minutes away from Filisur station. From this point the entrance of the tunnel is not visible.

The second vieuwpoint is situated on the other side of the Landwasser and can be reached from the village of Schmitten (after a 50 min downhill walk) or from the little car park along the Kantonstrasse between Alvaneu-Bad and Filisur (30 min uphill walk). The vieuwpoint is a well secured platform installed above the short Zalaint tunnel some 200 m from the viaduct, with a perfect vieuw on the viaduct and the Landwasser tunnel entrance.

A few hundred meters before the Zalaint tunnel the railway has already crossed the Schmittentobel viaduct, another impressive viaduct 137 m long and 35 m above the Schmitten gorge.

Ge 4/4 III 646 with the RE (Regio express) to St. Moritz, 05-06-2012.

Ge 4/4 I 603 with the Glacier Express from Davos to Zermatt, 05-06-2012.
This Glacier Express goes from Davos to Filisur, where the loco runs around and couples on the opposite side of the train. Then the trip continues to Chur where this train will be coupled with another Glacier Express from St. Moritz. Power for this double Glacier Express from Chur to Disentis is generally a Ge 4/4 III.

Ge 4/4 II 628 with goods train to Samedan, 05-06-2012.

Ge 6/6 II 702 with goods train from Samedan, 05-06-2012.



The pictures above were taken from the vieuwpoint above the Zalaint tunnel. For the following picture I stood on the opposite vieuwpoint, on the Filisur-side of the Landwasser.

Ge 6/6 II 704 with a goods train from Landquart to Samedan, on the viaduct, 25-11-2009.

Vieuw from the Regional Express Chur - Sankt Moritz. Engine is Ge 4/4 III 643.                    Filisur, 05-05-2008.

The 'Albula Erlebniszug'

On saturday 02-06, the new 'Albula Bahnmuseum' was opened at Bergün, the picturesque village on the Albula line. As part of the festivities the RhB had programmed a special train with a Ge 6/6 I and heritage carriages, that ran from Landquart to Bergün, and than further on to St. Moritz, and back. This train, the 'Albula Erlebniszug' or Albula travel-experience train, will run every Sunday of June, July and August over the Albula line (UNESCO World Heritage) to St. Moritz and back in the afternoon.

On Sunday 03-06, although the weather was not ideal,  I made some pictures of the train, between Tiefencastel and Filisur, and on its way back, on the Solis viaduct.

Ge 6/6 I 414, arriving at Tiefencastel, with the Albula travel-experience train...

...and rolling by through the service and freight station at Surava.

The train makes a stop at Filisur station. On the background the Glacier Express from Davos to Zermatt is waiting for departure.

The Albula travel-experience train on the Solis viaduct, on its way back from St. Moritz to Lanquart.