While the local shunter is still sorting the cars, the return train is already being composed. It all happens with relatively few people, and it goes fast. I wonder if this is a profitable business, considering the number of cars the freight trains carry. Continue reading Ready, set, …
Once the freight train arrives at it’s destination, it is quickly pulled apart and the cars delivered to where they will be unloaded. Swiss railways work very efficiently, no different here: in almost no time the first car was delivered to a local distribution centre. Continue reading Shunting Pontresina
When shooting freight trains, we usually look for locations that show a lot of train. Same for this train, but it turned out pretty hard to combine sunlight and a good view… it turned out not to be necessary; 3 cars easily fit within the frame. The train on the photo comes from Chur and has almost reached Pontresina, it’s final destination. Continue reading Almost there
A bit of looking around usually does the trick. Shot from almost the same location, with a tele instead of a wide angle lens, this view is something quite different compared to the previous photo. I prefer this one, by far: it reduces the train more to it’s real size compared to the giant mountain in the background. Look closely and you’ll see that the … Continue reading Proportions set straight
We stayed around Bever for the next freight train, but decided to head to the beginning of the Albula line. First train we got was this RE to St. Moritz, hauled by a Ge 6/6 engine. Notice the mail car at the rear of the train. In the background, the town of Bever. We were a bit late, resulting in a “panic shot” from aside, … Continue reading Side view
Switching back and forth between locations – this view was too nice not to make a photo of it. Most of the Ge 4/4 III engines carry promotional liveries – consider this red one a lucky catch. Notice the blue Gourmino restaurant car in the middle of the train. Continue reading Rare in red
The search for photo opportunities became harder as the forest became more dense. No big deal though, getting there is half the fun; that is one of the reasons this hobby has become a passion. Right on time for the next freight train up the mountain we found this view on one of the Albula railway’s many typical bridges. Loco 626 is in charge of … Continue reading Through dense forests
Trains were following each other quickly. We headed back towards Alvaneu station for the next passenger train to Chur. This was also the time that we were getting really hungry, so after making the photo at Alvaneu station we headed to Filisur for breakfast/lunch. Continue reading Too busy to eat
Next train was following quickly after the previous one, so we decided to stay around. We positioned ourselves a bit higher to get a better view of the valley. Right on time, Regio Express 1125 from Chur to St. Moritz passes us. I was wondering what this spot would look like at night, and went to work. The result below – I find it a … Continue reading Day and night
As stated in my previous post, Recognition, I was in Surava more than 10 years ago. 13 years, to be more precise. During our holiday in Graubünden, festivities were held to celebrate the 100th birthday of the Albula railway line. For the occasion some special trains were circulating. One of them was the train pictured here, composed of “crocodile” engine 414 and some historic coaches. The mountain … Continue reading Recognition II
Railscapes 