Took the train to Luzern from Meiringen. After about a kilometer the train has to make an assent up a very steep incline, this it achieves by using a third rail which is toothed and engaged by a cog wheel mounted under the loco. The transition and climb were very smooth, over the top and down the other side. The Switz railways are modern clean and punctual. A lot of the route is single line working, this means that trains travelling in opposite directions pass at stations, the first train to arrive waits at the station for the second to arrive before either can proceed. There is only one platform at a number of these stations, the result, passengers from one train, usually the second to arrive, alight between the tracks and have to wait for a train to pull out before crossing the track to the platform. Can you see that happening in the UK? no.
Luzern is nice, compact and picturesque. We saw a dog swimming in the fast flowing river and were concerned for it’s safety. Later we saw it again swimming across the river, leaving the water by some steps. We understand that this is a common event and most people do not give it a second thought. Nice meal sitting at a table on the riverbank terrace of an Italian restaurant, and then the train back.
June 8th, 2010 at 11:33 pm
Switzerland looks sooo picturesque!
Amazed that there was still such deep snow drifts still there in June.