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| The Glacier Express crosses the breathtaking Landwasser Viaduct (wikipedia) |
At seven-and-a-half hours
from beginning to end, it’s also the longest rail journey in Switzerland.
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| The Matterhorn is one of the highlights of the Glacier Express rail experience (wikipedia) |
Today, after more than eight
decades of service, the Glacier Express is not only the best known train trip
in Switzerland, it is also the most popular.
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| Olberalp Pass is the highest point of the trip (wikipedia) |
It began in June of 1930 when
three rail companies combined routes to operate trains between Zermatt and St.
Moritz. At that time, there were three
classes of service in converted passenger cars that had been redesigned into
salon-style coaches.
Until 1982, the Glacier Express
was only a summertime route because of the hazards of traveling through the
Furka Pass in winter. With the opening
of a tunnel between Oberwald and Realp, a project which took nine years to
complete, the train was finally able to provide year round travel.
The route, which links
Zermatt and the Matterhorn with Chur and then Davos or St. Moritz, is a narrow gauge railway featuring 291
bridges and 91 tunnels. Several places
along the line incorporate rack rails which allow the train to ascend and descend
uncommonly steep grades in the track with comparatively minimal reductions
in speed. The company even gives
passengers a souvenir wine glass with a tilted base to emphasize the steepness
of some of the places along the line.
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| A tunnel through the Oberalp Pass made the Glacier Express a year-round excursion (wikipedia) |
The Glacier Express has always
maintained a high level of service with constant upgrades that reflect advances
in technology and improvements in rolling stock equipment. All of which translates to magnificent
panoramic coaches plus an elegant three-course meal which are standard
components of every Glacier Express itinerary.
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| Through the clouds near St Moritz (wikipedia) |
The highest point of the
journey is the Oberalp Pass which reaches an altitude of nearly 6,700
feet. From towering Alpine walls of
rock, to spectacular countryside with rushing mountain streams and infinite valleys,
the Glacier Express is a visual feast that creates a lifetime of memories.
The Landwasser Viaduct is a
highlight and a masterpiece of architectural design. Six-arches rest on five pillars that tower
213 feet to span the Landwasser River. The viaduct is a signature structure of
the Rhaetian Railway, which still owns and operates it.
The 446-foot curved track
disappears into or spills out of the 709-foot Landwasser Tunnel to the delight
of everyone aboard. Thanks to the
circular path of the track, passengers get a clear view of this stunning
structural achievement of the combination viaduct/tunnel with its mind-boggling
vistas below.
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| Switzerland has its own version of the Grand Canyon (wikipedia) |
Along the Glacier Express
route, the train regularly tunnels through passes and passes through
tunnels.
Another popular sight comes
in the canton of Graubunden where the Rhine Canyon, better known as the “Swiss
Grand Canyon,” is
a remote haven for wildlife due to the
difficulty of access. In fact,
the rail line is the only way to access this forested region with its steep
cliffs and roaring streams.
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| Chur is another popular starting place (wikipedia) |
The route is equally
spectacular in either direction, however the most preferable choice might be
from St. Moritz or Davos through Chur to Zermatt. The reason being that Zermatt, though
somewhat touristy with its pedestrian-only streets, looks more like the
Switzerland that most travelers come to see.
Add the beauty of the Matterhorn and it’s a pleasant way to end the
journey.
Going in the other direction,
Chur has a lovely old town that is well worth exploring. It is also the gateway to another lovely
hour-long train trip which goes high into the Alps to the ski resort of Arosa.
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| Picturesque St Moritz sits above three lakes (wikipedia) |
St. Moritz has been a
playground for the rich and famous for decades, and it lies in a beautiful
setting with three lakes that dot the route into the village.
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| Tilting wine glass is a popular souvenir (wikipedia) |
Finally, here’s a tip: The Glacier Express route consists of several
different rail lines. If the fee for the
Glacier Express itself is too steep, you
can still do the same route with your Swiss Rail Pass for no additional charge,
although you will have to stop and change trains along the way. And, of course, you will not have the
advantage of the panoramic cars, the earphone explanations or the meal. For
travelers on a budget however, it’s a great way to savor the experience without
the additional cost.
Read more travel and discover great tours at: Magellan Travel Club
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