World record for the Rhaetian Railway with the “world’s longest train”
On Oct. 29, 2022, the Rhaetian Railway (RhB) brought the world’s longest narrow-gauge passenger train on the UNESCO World Heritage route from the Albula Tunnel in Preda to the world-famous Landwasser Viaduct at the outskirts of Filisur under the eyes of thousands of guests and railway enthusiasts who attended the public event in Bergün or positioned themselves along the above-mentioned route to experience this unique journey.
The RhB ran the Albula line Saturday afternoon, Oct. 29, 2022, with 25 four-part Capricorn railcars from leading Swiss manufacturer Stadler. The record train, 1,906 meters long, was lined up like a string of pearls in the Albula tunnel overnight Friday and Saturday and Saturday morning. It then departed from Preda at 2:20 p.m. Shortly after 3:30 p.m., the record train reached its destination: the spectacular crossing of the Landwasser Viaduct. “After intense preparation, we are overjoyed to have achieved this world record. Not only did we have a wonderful railway festival here in Bergün, but we were able to present ourselves worldwide as a fascinating and innovative mountain railway thanks to our dedicated partners, sponsors, and an incredibly committed team,” says Renato Fasciati, director of the FR, shortly after the world record was achieved. The success of the world record was officially confirmed on site by GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS™.
An impressive railway festival
A festival was set up outside Bergün where some 3,000 visitors witnessed the world record attempt. At the festival site, Märklin also presented the world record train in mini format-with 25 LGB Capricorn models and a length of 80 meters in 1:22.5 scale. The world record attempt was broadcast on Blick TV with an approximately two-hour program and was picked up by numerous TV stations around the world. More than 120 media representatives from 15 countries followed the world record live.
RhB’s partners demonstrated their capabilities at the station itself. For example, track construction company SERSA was present with a track construction machine and a locomotive simulator. Partners ABB and Repower provided information on electric mobility. Siemens made possible a fantastic railway experience with augmented reality. The Albula Railway Museum was open, while Märklin and BEMO showed various model railways. The entire railway village of Bergün was in motion.
Special timetableOn October 29, 2022, a special timetable was applied on the RhB’s Albula line. At the same time, the Albula Pass road between Filisur and La Punt was closed to road traffic from 6 am to 10 pm. Trains will return to normal operation from October 29, 2022. Trains will return to normal operation from Sunday, October 30, 2022.
Swiss Railways celebrates 175 years
Facts and figures about the world record
- The train consisted of 25 compositions, each with four cars of the new Capricorn railcars, with a total length of 1,906 meters.
- “Capricorn” is the Rhaeto-Romanic term for ibex.
- The world record route from Preda to Alvaneu is 24,930 meters long.
- The train covered an elevation gain of 789.4 meters (Preda = 1,788.7 m a.s.l.; Alvaneu = 999.3 m a.s.l.).
- The world record journey crossed 48 bridges and 22 tunnels.
- The largest viaduct on the world record route is the famous Landwasser Viaduct, immediately after Filisur, with a length of 142 meters and a height of 65 meters.
- The longest tunnel on the world record route is the 698-meter-long Greifenstein Tunnel, just before Filisur.
- The attempt to break the world record generated 4,000 kWh of braking energy (recovery).
- The world record train traveled at a speed of between 30 and 35 km/h.
- The record-breaking trip lasted about one hour.
- The weight of the record-breaking train was about 2,990 tons.
- Communications within the train were provided by a Civil Defense field telephone nearly two kilometers long.
- In addition, 7 drivers and 21 technicians were working on the train to ensure its operation.
The Rhaetian Railway in Brief
The Rhaetian Railway travels unique mountain routes: the UNESCO World Heritage lines, the Glacier Express and the Bernina Express.
Inaugurated in 1889, with the opening of the section from Landquart to Klosters this world-renowned railway offers unforgettable travel experiences through the entire territory of Canton Graubünden traversing the most picturesque landscapes in Switzerland. Today it has a network of 385 kilometers in the heart of the Swiss high mountains.
Bernina Express
The Bernina Express scenic train departs from Chur (585 m a.s.l.), crosses the Albula Valley and reaches the Upper Engadine, from where it continues to the summit of the Bernina Pass, at an impressive 2,253 m above sea level. From there it tackles the descent through spectacular artifacts to Poschiavo and beyond to reach Italy at Tirano (429 m a.s.l.)-from glaciers to palm trees. A route whose duration varies from four to five hours, depending on the place of departure, studded with extreme climatic contrasts, joining languages and cultures, giving unique impressions that follow one another relentlessly: impressive helical tunnels and spine-chilling viaducts in the Albula valley, glaciers almost within reach and a crescendoing finale among the palm trees, with all the charm of beautiful Italy.
Glacier Express
Since 1930, the Glacier Express, the world’s slowest direct train, has been running from the Engadine to the Matterhorn, connecting the famous resorts of Davos/St. Moritz and Zermatt during its approximately eight-hour ride. Panoramic carriages hatch breathtaking views, and the new Excellence class boasts quality to match the majestic peaks that frame the legendary route. The wide selection of fresh food prepared on the spot in the on-board kitchen is an additional source of excitement. Thanks to an information system in six languages, travelers can brief themselves via earphones on the route traveled and its special features. From St. Moritz to Thusis (about 60 km long), the Glacier Express traverses the Albula Valley and the famous Landwasser Viaduct.
A very environmentally conscious railway
Since 2013, the Rhaetian Railway has been deriving electricity for its passenger trains from hydropower.
Through parallel optimization of energy efficiency, the Rhaetian Railway not only contributes to improving its own ecological impact, but also that of its customers and business partners.
CERTIFIED 100% hydropower from Graubünden (German)
Source: Rhaetian Railway RhB