[Culturechat] A long train ride

[Vance Roy]

A recent Swissinfo article tells about the longest train ride in CH.
Train buffs going to CH might want to try this. The ride crosses two
mountain ranges and exposes one to some great scenery.

The ride never leaves CH and takes between 8 and 10 hours. it begins in
Le Brassus in the Jura region of CH and ends in Poschiavo in the southeast

Both these points have similarities as well as the obvious differences.
There are less than 2000 people in each, and neither is particularly rich.

One travels in both commuter trains and on the newer tilting trains
known as Pendelzugs. These pass through the Jura mountains first, and
then later, the alps. There are five changes of trains with about half
the 560+ kilometer journey through mountains. One travels along Lake
Neufchatel at first on the way to Zurich. From there, the train goes
toward Chur and passes through some awesome mountain valleys, tunnels,
and over some fantastic viaducts in the Kanton of Graubunden.

After reaching the Engadin, one goes over the Bernina Pass and downward
into Poschiavo on what has to be one of the most picturesque trips in
the country. This would have to be a great way to spend a day or two
seeing a country that is as diverse as any in the world for its size.

It would be a big way to get the most out of your Swiss train pass, and
to have some great war stories to tell train fans at home.

Vance C. Roy
gigli.saw@dplanet.ch