Steam railway that travels through the Swiss Alps celebrates its 100th anniversary
Summary
The historic Furka steam railway in the Swiss Alps is celebrating its 100th anniversary. Volunteers restored this mountain railway after it closed in the 1980s, and it now runs as a tourist attraction through scenic Alpine landscapes during the summer.Key Facts
- The Furka Pass is one of Switzerland’s highest Alpine passes at 2,431 meters (7,976 feet).
- The steam railway first operated a continuous journey over the pass on July 3, 1926.
- It provided an important rail link between the regions of Uri and Valais in central Switzerland.
- In the early 1980s, the route was closed after a tunnel diverted rail traffic away from the mountain pass.
- Hundreds of volunteers restored the line and steam trains, reopening it as a heritage railway starting in 1992.
- The current 18-kilometer (11-mile) track runs between Realp and Oberwald stations and operates in summer for tourists.
- Steam trains use vintage carriages, and volunteers with special skills drive the locomotives.
- Tourists enjoy views of rivers, Alpine meadows, pastures, and snow patches on the journey.
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