Interesting Facts About Glacier Express

The Glacier Express is a train that travels between Zermatt and St. Mortiz. The train covers the most scenic route in Switzerland, from the snowy glaciers to the pristine forests, water bodies, village shelters, bridges, and tunnels.

The roof of the train has glass panels fitted which give a panoramic view to the passengers and helps to develop a connection with nature outside. Hence it enhances the experience of the passengers and makes the journey different from any ordinary train.

Some interesting facts about Glacier Express

• The Glacier Express is the slowest train in the world, with an average speed of 24 miles per hour. Hence fulfills the demands of the passengers by providing more time to enjoy the scenic beauty and appreciate the marvelous creation of nature around them. 
• The trip has a travel duration of 7.5 hours and moves through a total of 291 bridges, 91 tunnels, and across the Oberalp pass, reaching a height of 2,033m (6,670ft). 
• The Glacier Express also covers some UNESCO world heritage sites making it a mind-boggling experience.

Some of the places covered by the Glacier Express are as follows:

The Rhaetian Railway

The Rhaetian Railway in Albula / Bernina landscapes connects two historic railway lines that cross the Swiss Alps through two routes known as the Albula line railway and the Bernina Railway. 

The Albula Railway

The Albula Railway is a single-track railway line in the Canton of Graubünden, Switzerland. The route spans a distance of 61.67 kilometers and passes through 42 tunnels, 144 viaducts, and 55 bridges, making it a spectacular railway in the world. 

The Bernina Railway

The Bernina Railway spans a distance of 61 kilometers and passes through 13 tunnels and 52 viaducts. That comprises fantastic architecture and engineering achievements in harmony with nature.

• Prominently, the lines run on electricity, but some lines of railways run on steam energy for a distance of 50 miles. The train is limited to four coaches for many tracks to keep the load down.
• The Glacier Express passes through a 215 feet high Landwasser viaduct which disappears into a mountain tunnel. While passing the viaduct, passengers can experience the extreme height of mountains, the shallow depth of the valley, and the landscaping around. The viaduct has six arches spanning a distance of 65 feet at equal intervals.
• It’s the world’s first Google street view train ride that covers the UNESCO world heritage site Albula / Bernina railway line. The street view captured from the very first coach of the train accounts for a total distance of 75.5 miles/122 km.
• The Glacier Express train initially opened in 1930 for the route from Zermatt to St. Moritz. Before that, the towns were isolated and found by tourists and travelers.
• The excellence class has a single window seat on each side to facilitate comfort by providing more space and legroom. The ticket price for different classes varies on the type of seat chosen and the distance to be traveled. 

References

7 fascinating facts about Switzerland’s world famous Glacier Express, retrieved from Insight Vacations, Leanne Williams. https://www.insightvacations.com/blog/facts-about-glacier-express

Switzerland’s Glacier Express Excellence Class Luxury Train, retrieved from Just Luxe, Glenn Harris. https://www.justluxe.com/travel/luxury-vacations/feature-1974640.php

A World Heritage Site Railway Route through the Swiss Alps, retrieved from Twisted Sifter. https://twistedsifter.com/2013/11/rhaetian-railway-albula-bernina-landscapes/

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