REALP, Switzerland (AP) This weekend, train enthusiasts are gathering to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the historic Furka railway. The event features vintage steam locomotives transporting tourists through breathtaking Alpine landscapes, a highlight for many attendees.
The Furka Pass, located at an altitude of 2,431 meters (7,976 feet), is one of Switzerland's highest Alpine passes, renowned for its dramatic hairpin curves that appeared in the 1964 James Bond film "Goldfinger." However, it was not just cinematic fame that gave the Furka Pass its historical significance; on July 3, 1926, a steam train made its first journey through this challenging route, establishing a critical rail connection between the regions of Uri and Valais in central Switzerland.
By the early 1980s, modern developments, including a tunnel at the base of the Alps, diverted rail traffic away from the mountain route, leading to its closure. Fortunately, a dedicated group of volunteers emerged to preserve this vintage railway. These railroad enthusiasts, dubbed the "pioneers," invested countless hours in restoring, maintaining, and operating the historic tracks and locomotives to recreate the experiences of a century ago.
The initial section of the railway reopened as a heritage line in 1992, and by 2010, the entire 18-kilometer (11-mile) route was fully operational. Today, the steam trains operate exclusively as a tourist attraction during the summer months, offering journeys between the stations of Realp and Oberwald. Passengers can enjoy the stunning views of rivers, Alpine meadows, and lush pastures sprinkled with remnants of snow.
Last month, visitors were delighted with their experiences aboard the "dampflokomotive." One passenger, Stephan Willareth, described his journey as "wonderful," while Kurt Guldemann, a former Swiss Railway employee, praised the rich history associated with these vintage machines.
Bernhard Lang, a volunteer train driver, shared his thoughts on the skill required to operate these steam locomotives. "It's something like a living machine, so you have to get kind of the feeling for it," he explained. "To feel how it behaves, how it moves, how it smells, how it sounds." Similarly, Jacob Kallert, the youngest train manager at just 21 years old and a German transport engineering student, emphasized the importance of listening to the locomotives. "You hear every sound, you hear if everything is right," he said. "You can pretty much feel how it was then and how it is now."
Volunteer Sergio Rovelli humorously remarked that anyone who devotes their time to the railway project becomes enamored with it. "We say, in German, that everyone who works here has the 'Furka Virus, the Furka disease,'" he joked. "Once you come here, you like it, and you stay."
A one-way ticket for these enchanting journeys costs 46 Swiss francs ($56.82) and lasts just under 2 1/2 hours. The celebration marking the 100th anniversary kicked off on Friday and will continue through the weekend.
