An A-Z of Switzerland (Part 2)

This afternoon we welcomed back Steve Ollive with Part 2 of his presentation “An A to Z of Switzerland”. We started today’s tour on the line between Locarno & Domodossola, like  the majority of smaller Swiss lines this was a narrow gauge (1metre gauge working from 1200 volts), the line running approximately 20km. The line was one of the later built lines in 1923 : many of those we were about to see dated from the 1890’s. This line like quite a few of the others had panoramic units for passengers to enjoy the stunning scenery.

One of the other lines we visited in the Bernese Mountains was the Schynige Platte Bahn, just 7.3km long but with spectacular views of the mountains including the Eiger, the Jungfrau and the Monge. Steve and his party often asked for permission to go into the depots and yards during their visits and were hardly ever refused, and then left to wander often unaccompanied.

Most of the many lines we were taken to had rolling stock of various ages, dating from the late 1890’s through to the twenty first century, although in most cases the older vehicles were kept in store or used solely on special running days. You will not see better photographs of railways in such spectacular scenery.

Dave Elsdon

Branch Secretary