Switzerland - July 2009 - Brian Garrett Photography

Switzerland - July 2009

During July 2009 I visited Switzerland with good friend Wayland Smith. We flew from London Heathrow to Zurich with Swiss Air before using the excellent Swiss Rail system to travel into the Graubünden Region of Switzerland. At Landquart we then switched from the standard gauge mainline network to narrow gauge 'Rhatische Bahn' (Rhb). Our base for our stay in the stunning country, was the ski resort of Davos, however at the time of our stay there was little skiing or snow to be seen. We then used the punctual public transport in order to access photographic locations set in the stunning Swiss Alps.
During our stay we used the popular tourist ticket, the Graubünden Pass, this starts at Bad Ragaz and then encompasses all stations within region 4 of the Swiss rail map below.

11th July 2009: Zurich - Eglisau Viaduct & Travel to Davos

Eglisau is situated just to the north of Zurich and can be accessed by rail directly from Zurich Airport. It's a border town between Switzerland and Germany and is most famous for it's impressive viaduct which spans the Rhien. It's possible to walk the short distance between Eglisau Station to Hüntwangen-Wil Station (even with luggage). There are several vantage points which can easily be obtained of the impressive structure.

A unidentified Class 460 passes over Eglisau Viaduct with a Driving Trailer leading.

An unidentified Class 450 passes over the Rhein heading for Zurich.

A colourful but unidentified Class 460 passes over the impressive viaduct at Eglisau.

DB Schenker Class 185 No.185-095-7 heads into Switzerland passing Hüntwangen-Wil station with an intermodal freight service.

SBB Re6/6 No.11683+'Amsteg-Silenen' & No.11672 'Balerna' are pictured stabled at Hüntwangen-Wil Station.

After returning to Zürich Hauptbahnhof, caught a mainline Intercity service to Sargans. The route runs South from Zurich along the banks of the Lake Zurich for 40km before cutting into another valley and running alongside the smaller Walensee Lake. Sargans is the point at which the mainline from St Gallen also meets the mainline south towards Chur. A short walk from the station along the Rheinstrasse found stunning scenery and plenty of loco hauled trains passing by.

SBB Re4/4ii No.11195 passes alongside the Rheinstrasse with a St Gallen - Chur service.

Thurbo AG Reigonalbahn unit No.722-4 heads for Sargans from St Gallen on a circular route.

SBB Re4/4ii No.11195 returns from Chur heading for St Gallen having just departed from Sargans.

RBDe 560 Unit No.560-009-4 pauses at Bad Ragaz station before continuing towards Zeigelbrüke from Chur. Bad Ragaz station is one stop south of Sargans and is also where the Graubünden Pass starts and can be used as a rover ticket.

An unidentified RBDe Class 560 Unit passes through stunning scenery just a short walk from Bad Ragaz Station.

Re Class 460 No.460-007-4 'Junior' passes the meltwater viaduct on the approach to Bad Ragas from Chur.

Unidentified Re 460 passes approaches Bad Ragas in-front of the impressive mountain scene.

Landquart is where the Rhb Narrow Gauge line to Davos starts climbing the mountain. The line climbs 1000m in just 43kM. Gm 3/3 No.232 shunter is pictured at Landquart.

Driving Trailer No.1716 departs from Shiers Station with a service to Rhäzüns located to the south of Chur.

GE 4/4 No.610 'Viamala' departs from Sheirs on route to Grush.

12th July 2009 - Davos Area

Class Ge 4/4 No.612 'Thusis' passes Lanschaftsweg with a Davos Platz - Filisur stopping service.

Class Ge 4/4 No.609 'Linard' passes Landshaftsweg with a Davos Platz - Tirino service.

Class Ge 4/4 No.612 'Thusis' returns through Frauenkirch with a Filisur - Davos stopping service.

Class Gr 4/4 No.604 winds through the Frauenkirch valley with a Davos Platz to Preda 'Sightseers Special' conveying open Panoramic Cars.

Class Ge 4/4 No.608 passes Frauenkrich with the Davoz Platz - Zermatt 'Bernina Express'

Class Ge 4/4 III No.650 'Seewis im Prattigau' rounds the curve at Frauenkirch with a Davos Platz to Filisur stopping service.

Class Ge 4/4 III No.648 'Suseh' passes Frauenkirch with a Davos Plats to Filisur stopping service.

Class Ge 4/4 III No.650 returns through Frauenkirch with a Filisur - Davos Platz stopping service.

Class Ge 4/4 II No.619 'Samedah' stands at Klosters having arrived from Davos Platz.

Class Ge 4/4 II No.612 'Thusis' stands at Klosters with a Disentis - Susch service.

Class Ge II No.625 passes Kloster with a Landquart - Davos Platz service.

Class Ge 4/4 II No.616 'Filisur' traverses the road section at Churstrasse on the approach to Chur Station from Arosa.

Class GE 4/4 II No,616 'Filisur' departs from Chur with a service train heading for Arosa.

Class Ge 4/4 No.616 'Filisur' runs round it's train and negotiates traffic at Chur.

An open Pannoramica Car is pictured at Chur shortly after arriving from Arosa.

Two Class Ge 4/4 II's are pictured at Chur. No.613 ' Dermet/Ems' and No.631 'Untervaz'.

A Rhb Track Recording Car is pictured at Chur Station

SBB Ee 3/3 Electric Shunting Locomotive is pictured moving stock into the platforms at Chur Station.

Ge 4/4II No.604 is pictured at Landquart with Pannoramic Coaching stock having returned from Preda earlier in the afternoon.

13th July 2009 - Davos Area

An Unidentified Ge 4/4 II passes Davos Dorf with a Davox Platz - Landquart service.

Ge 4/4 III No.645 climbs through Davos Wolfgang with a Landquart - Davos Platz service. Note the rubbish containers being conveyed on the rear of the train.

Ge 4/4 III No.645 passes Frauenkirch with a Davos Platz to Filisur stopping service.

Ge 4/4 II No.612 passes over the Weisen Viaduct which was celebrating it's birthday with a large red ribbon attached tot he side of the structure. The train was operating between Davos Platz to Filisur.

SBB TM 2/2 No.116-13-07-09-DAVOS PLATZ-DAVOSQUARRY

Loaded Timber wagons can be seen existing from the quarry area at Davos.

Ge 4/4/ III No.650 passes Frauenkirch with a Davos Platz to Filsur stopping service.

A detailed image from the bodyside of No.650 while stabled at Davos Platz.

Ge 4/4 III No.650 returns towards Davos on route from Filisur to Davos Platz.

An Unidentified Ge 4/4 skirts Lake Davos with a Landquart to Davoz Platz passenger service.

Ge 4/4/ No.645 leads a mixed formation alongside Lake Davos on a Davos Platz to Landquart service.

Ge 4/4 I No.604 heads an ECS movement through Davos Town Centre in the shadow of the Swiss mountain range beyond.

An Unidentified Ge 4/4 heads for Davos Platz from Landquart seen passing Davos Dorf.

14th July 2009 Davos - Zurich

Ge 4/4 No.601 stands stabled at Klosters on an engineering train from the previous night.

Gmf 4/4 No.243 is pictured at Klosters on an Engineers Train stabled from the previous night.

Ge 4/4 III No.648 nears Klosters with a service from Landquart to Davos Platz.

Ge 4/4/ II No.612 stands at Shiers before making its way up into the mountains towards Davos Platz.

Ge 4/4 No.625 is pictured 'mid train' at Sheiers, showing some of the unconventional formations which can occour on the SBB mountain route. The service operated between Davos Platz and Landquart.

Ge 4/4 II No.620 passes Shiers with a loaded ballast train heading into the mountains towards Davos.

Ge 4/4 I No.701 passes Shiers with a small mixed pickup freight heading for Lanquart/ Chur.

Ge 4/4 II No.630 passes along the valley floor at Shiers with a Schur to Disensis passenger service.

Ge 4/4 II No.625 passes Sheirs with a Landquart to Davos Platz passenger service.

Landquart - Zurich

GE 4/4 I No.706 is pictured at Landquart stabled on a mixed freight train waiting to head up the mountain range towards Davos.

Re Class 460 No.460-090-4 arrives into Landquart heading for Basel from Chur conveying double deck passenger stock.

Re Class 460 No.460-095-3 is pictured at Zürich Hauptbahnhof prior to departure.

Zurich Tram No.2095 passes Zürich Hauptbahnhof on route 4.