World’s longest train breaks world record in Switzerland

The Rhaetian Railway (RhB) – the largest Alpine railway in Switzerland – has broken a world record, by taking the world’s longest narrow gauge passenger train in the world on the UNESCO World Heritage route from the Albula Tunnel in Preda to the world-famous Landwasser Viaduct just outside Filisur.

Thousands of people turned out to witness the journey of the world’s longest passenger train, which wound its way along the spectacular UNESCO World Heritage route on Saturday.

The longest narrow gauge passenger train, measuring a whopping 1,906-metres, travelled along the Albula Line, with 25 fourpart Capricorn railcars meandering along behind. Travelling at a speed of around 30 to 35 kilometres per hour, the journey took around an hour (although the carriages at the back may have taken a while longer to catch up)! Seven drivers and 21 technicians were at work on the train to ensure it made the journey.

As it reached its final destination, the spectacular crossing of the Landwasser Viaduct, the GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS™ team were on site to record the ground-breaking moment, along with 3,000 people, welcoming the train in.

Renato Fasciati, Director of RhB said: “After intensive 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 around the world as a fascinating and innovative mountain railway thanks to our dedicated partners, sponsors and an incredibly dedicated team.”

The world-record route had a breath-taking backdrop, winding through 24,930 metres of impressive mountain terrain. The train covered a difference in altitude of 789.4 metres, from Preda at 1,788.7 metres above sea level, to Alvaneu at 999.3 metres above sea level. It crossed 48 bridges and went through 22 tunnels, and crossed the world-famous Landwasser Viaduct, at 142 metres long and 65 metres high.

A special timetable had to be implemented on the RhB Albula Line, to allow for the train to pass through the region, and all road traffic between Filisur and La Punt was closed from 6 am to 10 pm.

Image credit: The Rhaetian Railway (RhB)

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