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kataz
You can almost imagine yourself in the Alps in the early 1920's. Chugging up the steep Alps in a narrow gauge steam train was just fun. Loved leaning out the windows and hearing the train whistle. The porters in their period suits were informative, interesting and very personable, especially Johann. This journey was the highlight of our vacation. We took the train from Oberwald to Realp. We then continued our journey by regular rail. The station is a short walk through Realp. Make sure you look for the button which will signal the train to stop in Realp. If you don't activate the signal the train won't stop.
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Silch
You travel back in time on this amazing narrow guage rack assisted steam railway. This is exactly as the traveling public would have had to negotiate the Furka pass in the first half of the last century. The locomotives struggle to haul just 2 or 3 coaches across the pass.As with anything Swiss, the locos and rolling stock are immaculate. You would think they had just been restored yesterday.If you have any interested in railways this adventure is not to be missed
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Electroburger
In 1982, the Furka Oberalp railway replaced some of the most interesting rack railway trackage on this planet with a 14km long tunnel. As this stretch, high in the mountains, was very labour-intensive to maintain due to high snows (the catenary would have to come down for the winter, some bridges were dismantled, etc.) and only operational part of the year, it was abandoned. Over the years, the Furka Dampbahn (steam train) group has been restoring the line, albeit to operate with historic steam locomotives. Bit by bit, the entire line returned to operation, as a tourist railway. First trains operated from Realp just to the Furka tunnel, then later on to Gletsch. Now the entire former operation all the way to Oberward has been completed.The one remaining bit, from Gletsch to Oberwald, finally went into service this June. It was originally scheduled to open in 2007 or so. Tourist steam trains now run the entire length from Realp to Oberwald, these days you need a reservation (easy enough to do on the Internet), round trip fare 2nd class is some CHF 121. This year, the DFB started running an extra Historic Diesel train originating in Oberwald which needs no reservation. You can even bring your bike on the train and ride down, there is a little car for bikes, skis, sports equipment, etc. The historic diesel train runs just from Oberward to Gletsch and the stop in Gletsch is agreeably short - enough time to see and film the steam train come and go, then go across the street and have lunch. Restaurant pretty good and only slightly overpriced. The historic diesel locomotive, although it looks quite modern, is from 1969 or so.This stretch from Oberwald to Gletsch is itself rather interesting, it is rack all the way, plus just before Gletsch there is a beautiful small waterfall and rapids then a tunnel which ascends in a 340 or so degree spiral. Interestingly, there is a sprinkler system installed along the line, presumably for putting out the little bits of flaming cinders from the steam locomotives.
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NeiKat
We booked the trip over email a few months back, and paid on the day. We travelled from Realp to Gletsch by steam then changed to diesel down the hill.Only thing to be aware of is the train leaves from a seperate station in Realp which is about 10 minutes walk from the MGB one.We had reserved seats in the front coach, the guard even came down to tell us what was going on as we were the only non German speakers on the train, this was a very nice touch.The train stopped at Furka for about 20 minutes and we sampled some excellent cake and cheese.The trip was very expensive 146sfr for the pair of us for a single ticket, but well worth it.
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Rumbald
We have made several visits to this wonderful little restored railway service. It lies high in the Swiss Alps between Oberwald and Realp, replacing what was the mainline traffic which now dissappears into a tunnel, missing the superb Furka Pass Scenery.Our first visit caused the Tourist Information Service of Interlaken a great deal of wonderment. We had found something they hadn't heard of! Luckily a young lad at the Wilderswil TIO had, so we were able to make the necessary bookings. An early start from Wilderswil to Meiringen, a full coach from Meiringen to Gletsch and a dash for the train and we made a full day excursion on this magical railway. Ran by enthusiasts for enthusiasts, this makes the best kind of attraction! When you consider that the engines were first built in the very early 20th Century for varying cog railways in Switzerland, then sold to Vietnam and latterly found deep in the jungle and recovered to Winterthur for rebuilds this must be the greatest little railway in the world! Our latest trip involved an early cablecar from Bettmeralp near Brig, the reglio train (running up between the posher Glacier Expresses) to Oberwald in the Upper Goms, the change to the Furka Damphbahn here into the valley at Gletsch and the super run up through the old summit tunnel and down to Realp where we first had a nice meal in the old carriage Diner serenaded by the Station Master and his accordian! Changed to the main line, just a short walk, and onto 'new tunnel' car carrier back to Oberwald and back down to Betten on the reglio, then the cablecar to our rented chalet-apartment on the shelf of land known as Bettmeralp. In all a superb day out!The dates that this railway attraction runs is very tight in the year, mainly just part of July, August and a section of September, due to the high alpine weather, so be sure to get your holiday timing right. Avoid a massive disappointment!!!
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Graubuendener
We had a comfortable journey by Swiss Rail way starting from Zurich Central via Arth-Goldau-Göschenen and to Realp where we got on that beautiful old railway train. The perfectly polished and well oiled old locomotive engine was just a dream for those who are interested in steam engines. The journey up to Gletsch was very impressive but the famous Glacier du Rhone was no longer to be seen. It was a rather ugly sight of sand and rocks unfortunately and it showed us dramatically how the climate had been changing. You can only imagine how it used to be by looking at old picture postcards. The stretch from Glesch to Oberwald was one of the most impressive train trips I ever had. After the lunch, during which we enjoyed local specialties, we took the same stretch back to Realp but it was not boring at all e.g. the Sun was shining differently. The round trip ticket for this particular railway only costs much, e.g. CHF 121.- (in July 2012) for a 2nd class ticket but after the trip I would say, it is really worth paying!.
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Hooligan-59
Another 'must do' for my train enthusiast husband! It was a lovely trip behind a steam train up into the 'hills' of Furka. It seems very odd that this was once the main line until the tunnel was built between Oberwald and Realp. The trip takes over 2 hours with a stop at Furka - where the trains pass. Here there is a cafe serving all kinds of things - sausages, cold drinks, beer, cheese, ice-cream...To travel on the steam train requires a reservation, and is quite expensive, but this is because it costs so much to run the train and maintain it. Well worth going on if you are a train enthusiast.
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riehen
One of the great steam trains journeys in the world. Crossing the Furka pass in a steam train from the 1920s, while enjoying the alpine scenery and the mountain air.A few practical details: the trains operate only from June to October, advance seat reservation is mandatory (and easily done on the website of the steam railway). The trip takes two hours, the train makes a buffet stop on the way.
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genevapeter
you have to make the ride once in your life. cosy railway superbe views.
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HermannBilbao
As the old track through the Furka pass top tunnel was substituted by the basis tunnel, I was very sad. However, soon a group of railway enthusiasts founded the "Furka steam railway" and startet to revitalise the old track over the Pass. In the meantime they succeeded to get the whole track in operating order by the help of thousands of volunteers and sponsors. They carried back a few steam engines from Vietnam and refurbished them in their own workshop from scrap. A trip over the Furka with such a steam train is an unforgettable experiance, not only for the breath-taking landscape. The old, but completely refurbished wagons with "wooden class" seats and the smell of oil and steam brings you back to the times of 1900, you will never forget!
