GabySwitzerland pulled off an ambitious project to celebrate the 175th anniversary of its railways. By assembling a 1,906-meter passenger train, Switzerland set a world record. One hundred cars linked together glided through the breathtaking Alpine landscape.
The stunt showcased the country’s latest engineering achievements and helped rekindle tourist interest in the surrounding scenery, which had waned during the pandemic.
The anniversary route of the 2,990-ton train stretched 25 kilometers through viaducts, serpentine roads, and tunnels. According to CNN, during the hour-long journey six train drivers demonstrated remarkable synchronization. They skillfully navigated the challenging sections of the Albula/Bernina route, a UNESCO World Heritage site. This picturesque railway line is known for its steep curves and descents, 48 bridges, and 22 tunnels. So it’s no surprise the train never exceeded 35 km/h.
This record is especially notable because the nearly two-kilometer train ran on narrow-gauge track. The inspiration for the project — the Rhaetian Railway (RhB) — uses tracks with rails just one meter apart. By contrast, most European and Swiss lines use the standard gauge of 1.435 meters.
A nation of railway ambitions
For a small, mountainous country that would seem to hinder railway construction, Switzerland has achieved a great deal. Its expertise is being exported worldwide.
Swiss people are the world’s most avid rail users. Each resident travels about 2,450 km by train annually.
For centuries, the Alps were a harsh barrier for travelers and merchants. However, in just the last two decades, billions of Swiss francs have been invested in long tunnels that have significantly eased travel and connections between regions. In June 2022, the Federal Council began consultations on a long-term investment program for rail transport. The new initiatives will focus on passenger travel over short and medium distances with the aim of reducing reliance on cars.
Plans call for a significant increase in the share of rail transport for both passengers and freight.
At the same time, the project fit naturally with Switzerland’s geography, culture, and population density, and it highlighted the country’s strengths in railway technology.
