Furka-Steam-Railway

Steaming over the Furka Pass

Opened in 1926, the Furka mountain route was the most spectacular section of the Glacier Express on the way from St. Moritz/Davos to Zermatt for over five decades. Incidentally, the Glacier Express was named after the mighty Rhone glacier, which passengers could marvel at on their journey between Gletsch and Furka. Until 1981, the Glacier Express could only run in summer, because the Furka mountain route had a winter closure of seven months.

The popular Furka mountain line was closed down after the opening of the Furka base tunnel in 1982. But as early as 1983, railway enthusiasts founded the Furka Bergstrecke Association, which today has more than 7,500 members and sections all over Europe, including 11 sections in Switzerland and 9 sections in Germany. The aim was to resume summer operations on the Furka mountain line.

It was to take 27 long years until the entire line from Realp to Oberwald could be put back into operation in 2010. More than 1,000 volunteers work on a voluntary basis every year to make the operation possible. The historic steam locomotive overcomes the 800 metres in altitude from Oberwald to the peak with the help of the rack-and-pinion drive. At the highest station, Furka, at 2,163 metres above sea level, you can take photos during a short break. There are also refreshment facilities here (not included in the price).

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