The Slowest Express Train in the World 02 GLACIER EXPRESS
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E The slowest express train in the world 02 GLACIER EXPRESS There's simply no comparison Experience the unique mountainous landscape of the Swiss Alps on a spectacular train ride that takes you between the Valais peaks and the Engadine, past scenic highlights and tourist attractions. Aboard the famous Glacier Express you discover gentle valleys and snow-capped mountains, thundering mountain rivers and rugged cliffs, charming villages and picturesque castles. And when you arrive at your destination – when the powerful Glacier Express has finished winding its way steadily across the high mountain passes and breathtaking viaducts, through deep tunnels and narrow gorges – then there will be no doubt in your mind: there's simply nothing to compare with the Glacier Express! Cover: The new panorama carriages of the Glacier Express 4478 m beauty in stone: legendary Mount provide the very best views of the wonderful surroundings. Matterhorn towering above Zermatt. Designed to keep everything under control, even along the steepest stretches: the special, crooked Glacier Express glass. Enjoyment for all your senses Surrounded by such stupendous scen- enery, it is often the simple pleasures that remain unforgettable. The pure mountain air or the tangy scent of the forest. The brightly coloured flowers or the lush green pastures. The deep blue of the mountain lakes. A glass of good wine. Enjoy it – with all your senses! The Glacier Express provides the best in comfort – the most comfortable and enjoyable way to cross the Alps. 04 GLACIER EXPRESS Breathtaking in summer and in winter: the Landwasser Viaduct, the most fascinating railway bridge in the Swiss Alps. From St.Moritz or Davos to Through the Rhine Gorge Zermatt Things start getting exciting again once You can embark on your scenic journey you have left the gentle valleys and aboard the Glacier Express in St. Moritz green landscapes behind you: to the in the magical Upper Engadine lands- left and right of the tracks in the Rhine cape, or in Davos in the picturesque Gorge, the lofty heights of the massive Landwasser Valley. As soon as you cliff faces take your breath away. But leave St. Moritz, you join the spectacu- before you have had your fill of bizarre lar Albula Line, which repeatedly dou- shapes and colours, the train whisks bles back on itself like a roller-coaster. you away from this unique canyon It rises more than 400 m in just 5 km, again. The second recommendable departure point as the crow flies! The route from Davos or destination is the charming resort of Davos, the highest town in Europe. follows the young Landwasser through Disentis await you – with the imposing the Zügenschlucht before crossing the outline of Switzerland's oldest Bene- majestic Wiesner Viaduct. The next dictine abbey, whose baroque twin Rhine technical feat awaits you just outside towers have been dominating the lo- Gorge Chur Filisur, where both tracks meet: on cation since 1695. And Disentis is also Davos Disentis Reichenau leaving the tunnel, the Glacier Express an important station along your route: Landwasser Viaduct crosses the dizzy heights of the because of the difference in altitude in Domleschg, Filisur Landwasser Viaduct. the next section of the journey the train land of castles The next stage of the journey takes has to rely on cogwheel mechanisms Albula Line you through the wildly romantic Schin to overcome the steep gradients. You Gorge, past fortresses and castles, until can resume your journey as soon as the St.Moritz arriving at Chur: the lowest point of state-of-the-art cogwheel locomotive Engadine Bernina Express the journey at just under 600 m. has been attached... Tirano With its traditional hotels and wonderful main shopping streets, the cosmopolitan resort of St. Moritz is a popular starting point for your leisurely adventure on your Glacier Express journey. In the Rhine Valley, the “Grand Canyon of Switzerland” welcomes you with spectacular views of an impressive feat of nature. 06 GLACIER EXPRESS On the safe track across Switzerland's High Alps Once its locomotive has been attached, the Glacier Express sets off for the highest point of the journey: the 2033 m Oberalppass with the Alpine lake of the same name, embedded in the grand backdrop of the snow-capped mountains. Andermatt After a steep, winding descent you are greeted by Andermatt, strategically Oberalp- situated on the old North-South trade pass Rhone route across the Alps. The austere Valley Furka-Basis- mountain scenery you encounter up Tunnel here will give you an idea of how Goms Brig arduous travelling used to be. Luckily, Visp it's more comfortable – and quicker – nowadays. Not least because of the Mattertal Valley Furka Basis Tunnel, whose completion in 1982 finally enabled the Glacier Zermatt Express to operate all year round. Gornergrat The journey through the mountain Matterhorn takes 20 minutes, and you emerge The Glacier Express gracefully climbs up along the into broad daylight again some 15 km railway path through the peaks of the High Alps and down again into the wide and fertile valleys. further on. Lush flora and fauna: ranging from the delicate The locomotive climbs up the Oberalppass alpine flowers gracing the fronts of the houses to a height of 2033 m with the help of the to the timid inhabitants of the steep cliffs. cogwheel. Railway route Oberalppass 2033 m Zermatt St. Moritz 1604 m 1775 m Realp Davos 1600 1540 m 1600 Sedrun Samedan Münster Andermatt 1400 1400 St. Niklaus Oberwald 1200 Bergün 1200 Disentis Fiesch 1000 1130 m Filisur 1000 Trun Stalden 800 Tiefencastel 800 Mörel Reichenau Brig Ilanz 600 Visp Thusis 600 650 m Chur 400 400 585 m 200 200 m above m above sea-level 0 20 40 60 80 120 140 160 180 200 220 240 260 291 km sea-level Following the course of the 150 m down into the valley from the as relics of the trading activities of by- young Rhone depths of the mountain. gone days. Suddenly there is a gigan- The express train smoothly wends its The final ascent to the Mattertal Valley tic cone of rubble: the tremendous way down to Brig through the charm- begins in Brig with its famous Stock- 1991 avalanche at Randa is a remin- ing Rhone Valley. Passing the time- alper castle: over and over again, the der of the destructive side of nature. honoured wooden houses of Valais, locomotive grips into the cogwheel baroque village churches and deep, section to haul the carriages up the The journey with the Glacier Express larch tree forests that turn golden yel- steep slopes. Deep gorges line the ends in Zermatt. In this legendary low in the autumn. The highlight of route, tiny mountain hamlets nestle mountain resort, whose world-famous railway engineering is the 270° loop against the flanks of the mountains, a landmark towers majestically into the tunnel, through which the train spirals few ancient stone bridges still survive clear sky of Valais: the Matterhorn. 08 GLACIER EXPRESS Whether winter in the passes, the awakening of spring in the alpine valleys or summer sun in the lowlands: the ultra-modern panorama carriages bring you within touching distance. A treat for body and soul Look forward to all kinds of delicacies, A trip with the Glacier Express is not which are made freshly for you in the only a feast for your eyes – even on-board kitchen: you will be surprised though the new-style panorama what kinds of specialities the chef can carriages were designed precisely for conjure up ... that purpose, providing you with the best views of the fantastic scenery Do you care for a digestive? throughout your journey. Even if you rarely drink schnapps or Grappa – you should answer this It is a tradition to look after your culi- question in the affirmative on the nary needs as well. There is a wide Glacier Express. Because there is a selection of liquid refreshments and special custom attached to serving A bull's-eye from a height of one metre: ser- ving schnapps and Grappa is an art form in snacks for you: how about a good spirits here: the waiter pours it with the Glacier Express. Fendant, for example, a glass of the his arm stretched above his head, so famous Swiss white wine? Served in that it splashes into the glass like a So you see: the Glacier Express a special, crooked glass to cope with waterfall. How the skilled “schnapps provides you with every comfort to the steepest uphill and down-dale acrobats” manage to do it without make your sojourn on board a purely stretches? Or would you prefer some spilling a drop of the precious liquor – pleasurable experience. As you will creamy Alpine chocolate? Friendly your guess is as good as ours. But find out for yourself! stewards and stewardesses will be it is rumoured that this is one of the pleased to bring either to your seat – qualifications required of the excellent and you can even have your lunch service staff before they are accepted served at your table in the new Glacier for the job … Express trains. A properly laid table with neat tablecloths and elegant china, of course. There are not only scenic highlights, but culinary ones as well in store for you en route: freshly prepared in the kitchen and served at your own table! The wide panorama over the Albula Valley: one of the constantly changing, magical backdrops of your “train with a view”. 10 GLACIER EXPRESS The latest, state-of-the-art rolling stock: now complete with pneumatic suspension, ergonomic seats and reduced wheel/rail noise to make your journey more comfortable still.