[Culturechat] Broom bulletin

[Vance Roy]

Here in the Heartland, everyone rides on the narrow gauge train line 
called the Bruenigbahn. It runs from Luzern to Interlaken. Just after 
passing Lungern there is a tunnel (under the mountain upon which sits 
the playground and chapel). It is quite short, and on each side of both 
entrance/exits there are mounted two brooms. These are made from rice 
grass. Over the years many reasons for the brooms have been postulated; 
to keep snow off the windows, to make sure that the rear view mirrors 
are folded inward, etc. One official Swiss Guide was not able to explain 
these brooms.

Now, today, we have the answer! In today's newspaper, there is an 
article about the Bruenigbahn that explains this mystery. The brooms are 
there in order to enforce the rule that one should not lean out the 
windows. This tunnel is so narrow that head injuries would be the result 
of anyone leaning out the window. The brooms would give one a swat in 
the head if their head was out as the train entered.

Now the mystery is solved. A new mystery looms large. Would their be a 
liability issue if someone got swatted. Not here, I think, because of 
the rule that personal responsibility means that you heed what you read 
on the train signs.

Vance Roy
gigli.saw@dplanet.ch