Back to the RhB. SBB / RhB Trip Report 7 - 12th August 2020

Ge4/4ii 620 in 'RhB Club' livery heads east through the Rhein gorge between Trin and Reichenau-Tammins with a St. Mortiz bound Glacier Express. 08.08.2020

Re4/4 11108 still retains its Swiss Express livery but is cited to be
soon due for withdrawal. The loco is seen here at Frick with a
Zurich - Basel service on 7th August 2020.

2020 certainly hasn't been the year we were anticipating- when I concluded my last trip at the beginning of March it was clear that the impact of the new Coronavirus, Covid-19 was going to be severe but even then I had not anticipated that Norway would close it's borders around a week later and subsequently I enjoyed a weekend in Paris just as France too was shutting down. Within weeks the UK had entered a full scale lockdown and any thoughts of heading abroad (or even beyond the limits of ones daily exercise) for railway activities seemed a distant ambition. 

On the final day of our trip Ge4/4ii 630 'Trun' is seen approaching S-Chanf on another glorious morning with a St. Moritz - Landquart service. 12/08/2020.

Be4/4 513 follows the valley between Davos and Filisur. 11/08/20.

Despite somewhat difficult circumstances by summer it became apparent that things were finally improving, at least for the short term, and a trip initially considered for late spring was brought back onto the agenda; to Switzerland and one of our favorite railways the Rhatische Bahn in the mountains of Graubunden. There were encouraging signs, far from the railway being shut down a full compliment of steam tours and heritage trains were in operation, the dreaded invasion by the new 'Capricorn' EMU's was yet to start in earnest, the Covid figures were looking good and just as excitingly there had been a flurry of activity with the remaining four class Ge4/4i locomotives, initially all but withdrawn in 2010! When the green light was finally given to travel to Switzerland without quarantine the trip was booked and the excitement built to get back to what must be one of the best railways in the world. 

Friday 7th August-

Double Re4/4 power as 11300 and 11302 double head a Basel - Zurich away from Frick. 08/08/2020

11133 is captured approaching Frick heading from Zurich to Basel. 08/08/2020

Something of a bonus day, the trip originally being planned to start on the Saturday but amended as there were no flights which would get me onto the railway before mid-afternoon. Travel out to Switzerland was on the 08:15 BA flight from Heathrow to Basel. Coronavirus restrictions meant that the usual pay-for service on BA had been replaced by a complimentary 'meal'- this turned out to be a bag of crisps and a biscuit but I suppose beggars can't be choosers. The flight was busy and even after the short hop we were looking forward to getting out of the airport and taking off our facemasks. The process of actually entering Switzerland was delayed a little when one of our party blathered their way through the 'France / Germany' exit rather than following signs for Switzerland (there is a way back across a few floors higher as it turns out)- this cost us a bus to Basel station, but the connection onto our first train was still secure. Basel main station is currently undergoing refurbishment of the roof which does nothing to aid photography, but it should look good when finished. 

An unidentified Re4/4 passes Frick heading east with a mixed freight. 08/08/2020

Much freight is now in the hands of newer locomotives such as blue
Vectron 193 492 which is seen heading west. 08/08/2020

Since we had a bonus day here it was decided to take our time reaching Chur and stop off for some standard gauge action. Re4/4 11112 was boarded to Frick on the 12:11 to Zurich- a great start to the trip with classic traction and some 'fresh air' stock. The photo location at Frick is a 20-25 minute walk south of the station and sees plenty of freight and the hourly Re4/4 hauled service between Zurich and Basel. Unfortunately the trains didn't really play ball with the vast majority of the freight traffic heading the 'wrong' way with only 4 of the 15 freights seen over the four hours going in the right direction, none of which were worked by the classic Swiss traction we had hoped to see. Switzerland experiencing the same heatwave as back home left us a little hot and bothered so we flagged the first unit on to Zurich and set up in the station bar for a much needed beer before picking up 11112 (again!) on to Zurich.

'Lion' Re420 219 is stabled outside Zurich Hbf. 08/08/20

We were aware that staying a little longer than originally planned at Frick due to the nice weather had cost us the chance to take an Re4/4 to Chur and we therefore took our first ride on one of the SBB 'Twindexx' units, which to be fair are very pleasant to travel in. The views along Lake Zurich were stunning and the temptation to step off and join the many bathers was certainly real. On arrival into Chur we checked into the Hotel Post for 4 nights and headed out for a very nice meal of Cordon Bleu overlooking the street running section of the Arosa line, it still being warm enough to sit outside in shorts. 

Another Basel - Zurich services rolls past our photospot heading east at Frick. 08/08/2020

Saturday 8th August-

Ge4/4ii 633 heads towards Trin through the Rhein Gorge with a train for Disentis. The area is popular for outdoor sports including kayaking and paddle boarding on the river. 09/08/20.

Ge4/4i 610 Pauses at Trin as we overtake on another service. 08/08/20.

Despite the provision of fans it is fair to say that none of our group got a good night's sleep with temperatures staying well above 20 degrees all night. Still refreshed after breakfast it was down to the station to satisfy one of the main objectives of this trip and get one of the ancient Ge4/4i's in the book. A regular turn for the veterans this summer has been the tourist 'Rheinschlucht' train which carries open top coaches on three runs at weekends through the Rhein Gorge from various pick up stations from Landquarts to Ilanz. Ge4/4i 610 was allocated the job today and was enjoyed from Chur to Castriche, even on the first run the sun cream was out and it was more than warm enough for shorts in the open coaches. After picking up Ge4/4ii 611 back to Reichenau-Tammins the attention turned to a day of photography. 

One of the major goals of this trip was to both photograph and ride behind one of the veteran
Ge4/4i's dating from 1947. This was achieved easily thanks to the Rheinschlucht tourist
train which ran all weekend with 610 'Viamala' seen here west of Versam-Safien. 09/08/20.

The LGB loco, Ge4/4ii 617 is seen heading towards Chur between Trin and
Reichinau-Tammins on 9th August 2020.

First some views were taken in of the new bridge at Reichenau-Tammins before heading back along the gorge towards Trin to capture the returning Rheinschlucht with 610. A decent hike then followed to take us by way of Bonaduz to a viewpoint overlooking the gorge - the self service ice cream freezer on the way very much required! 

The final spot of the day was down at the river by Versam Safien reached behind 611, which as well as providing a spot to paddle also provided a beer (and plenty of free wasps). Several trains were photographed from the riverside, a shot we had been meaning to attempt for several visits, before it was time to head back to Chur once again behind 611 which was rapidly becoming a pest! 

Having initially arrived too early for the sun the group were rewarded after waiting for the perfect conditions as red Ge4/4ii 618 rounded the corner with a train to Disentis. This shot at Versam-Safien was another that had long been on the list and felt good to have now achieved. 09/08/20.

The Ge4/4iii is less common traction through the Rhein gorge, however
651 in Glaicer Express colours is seen heading a Schol-Tarasp
to Disentis train east of Reichenau-Tammins on 9th August 2020.

Two of our group required the track up to Arosa so tonight having had an early finish in the Rhein gorge we headed up on an Allegra to the end of the line for dinner. This couldn't have worked out better as despite being fully booked we were able to find a nice spot at the bar of the Guttershuppen restaurant located in the former goods shed. The food was great and the drinks went down so well that on the journey back down to Chur the Allegra units were 'officially' declared the 'Best EMU's ever'... 

Sunday 9th August-

The first steam tour of the day featured Ge4/5 107 'Albula' on a circular trip from Landquarts via Thusis, Filisur, Davos and Klosters. The loco here is seen climbing up-grade approaching Bonaduz. 09/08/2020.

A tricky day for all the right reasons- there was just too much going on on the RhB today to cover everything- As well as the Rheinschlucht train there was a full days circular steam tour operating with G4/5 107 'Albula' from Landquart, while G3/4 11 'Heidi' was undertaking a number of short trips between Samadan, Pontresina and St. Moritz; this still doesn't take in the normal heritage 'crocodile' runs between Davos and Filisur! 

For the steepest section of the line from Thusis to Davos the steam locomotive and it's tour was topped by Rhaetian 'Croc' Ge6/6i 414, the tank wagon is for fighting any lineside fires that may be caused. The interesting formation (though less photogenic with the croc on the front) is seen here approaching Tiefencastle. 09/08/2020.

Turning Ge5/6 107 on the turntable at Filisur requires some manual labour. 09/08/20.

We started by using the Rheinschlucht, again with 610, purely as a positioning move to Reichenau-Tammins from where we walked to a spot at Bonaduz to catch the G4/5 working up gradient. From Thusis it would be topped by an electric so there were few chances to catch the train unassisted. From here it was further up the line by way of Thusis, and then picking up Ge4/4iii 647 on to Tiefencastel. Here I parted with the rest of the group as I had identified a photo opportunity approaching Tiefencastle while they would head on to Filisur. 

Old and new traction at Filisur

My plan worked well as after catching the train, now lead by 'Crocodile' Ge6/6i 414 I was able to get back to the train before it left the station- Enquiring if I could hop in to Filisur the first member of staff quickly told me that I could not as this was a special excursion- the second however could see that I was well aware of this fact and for a nominal fee I was on board to enjoy the run over Landwasser to Filisur. 

There was time for a beer stop on arrival and also to watch as the formation was shunted and the steam locomotive turned. The group went separate was again at this point - I continued up to Samedan to meet with 'Heidi' while the others continued the chase with the main tour heading on towards Klosters. 

The other steam tour on the network was in the Engadine valley running from Samedan. G3/4 Heidi is seen here between Punt Muragl Staz and Celerina with its penultimate run of the day. 09/08/2020

Ge4/4iii 646 in the smart 'BUGA' pauses at
Filisur with a train for St. Moritz. 09/08/2020

My hunger was met by one of the Gormio coaches on the Allegra hauled train up to St. Moritz. It was hot in the coach but it would have been rude not to since there was just one spare table. I had almost finished my lunch by the time we pulled into St. Moritz and now just had to find 'Heidi' for my short steam trip and to cover my last piece of required track on the route, the short leg from here to Pontresina. In order to also get some photos I only took the steam for two of the three legs I had paid for, leaving 'Heidi' behind at Samedan and taking 627 up to Pontresina in order to get ahead. Most of the stations here are within walking distance and after having taken a Bernina train back to Punt Moragl Staz I was able to complete the journey back to Celerina by foot, photographing 'Heidi' twice in the process. 

Ge4/4ii 612 'Thusis' was my reward after a lengthy 'brisk' walk in the afternoon sun. It leads a St. Moritz - Landquart train heading down the valley from Saas. 09/08/2020.

Ge4/4ii 627 celebrating 100 years of the Chur - Arosa line is seen shortly
after departing from Pontresina with a push-pull train for Schol-Tarasp. 09/08/20.

My friends had by now set up in the station bar at Saas, quite a long way from my location on the Engadine! An Allegra unit back to Samadan put me onto a very fresh looking 615 for a run along the Engadine line to Saglians, connecting onto our old friend 611 through the Vereina tunnel and down to Saas. My friends however were not at the bar, but a good 20 minutes up the line taking photos- a brisk walk got me to the location in time to photograph the next train, from St. Moritz before finally making it back to the station an hour later to pick up 625 heading back to Chur- With the light as it was however it would have been rude not to photograph the train, this was duly done before a mad dash to end up back on the train myself. A hot sweaty mess landed on the busy train much in need of a shower and some food!

Monday 10th August-

Ge6/6ii 704 hauls one of the regular RhB freight turns at the furthest end of the Albula line as it approaches Bever, bound for Samedan. 10/08/2020.

With the town of S-Chanf in the distance Ge6/6ii 705 is seen pulling a freight
towards Zernez and onwards via the Veriena tunnel towards
Klosters and Landquart. 10/08/2020.

Today's activity would depend on what we could gleam from the allocations given to members of the RhB club - an extra expense but one that would prove invaluable for getting the photos we wanted. We had seen our Ge4/4i on the tourist 'Rheinschlucht' but what we really wanted was to see one in it's 'natural habitat' pulling a proper RhB train. A regular turn had been the freight duty to Ilanz, but alas the two locomotives based out of Landquart had no work today- to see the 600's in action we would need to head up to the Engadine line, and to make the plan worthwhile this involved an early start to take the 05:10 mixed train from Chur to Samedan. The mixed trains are allocated to the, also elderly, Ge6/6ii locomotives hauling a coach or two and then freight wagons- 705 being allocated to our train. 

Snaking high above the River Inn, Ge4/4ii 630 is propelling a train for Pontresina away from Madulain in the Engadine valley. The Inn originates west of St. Moritz and is the only river in Switzerland to drain into the Black Sea by way of the Danube with which it has its confluence at Passau in German. 10/08/20.

Ge4/4ii 616 'Filisur' carries a special livery promoting the restoration of RhB #1, the oldest steam locomotive of Rhaetian Railways. The livery includes a barometer tracking funding progress - the latest bar to be added to it was in late 2019- more details on the project are at rhaetia1.ch. The locomotive is seen here at the head of a St.Moritz - Landquart services passing the church at Bever. 10/08/20.

Some serious pulling power - Allegra ABe 8/12 5303 has a trailing load of 12 vehicles 
consisting of an articulated 'Alvra' set and 5 conventional coaches as it nears
the end of its journey up the Albula line from Chur to St. Moritz. 10/08/20.

Dinner had been purchased the night before and it was most certainly still dark as 705 pulled out of Chur. Light emerged from behind the mountains as we headed up the Albula pass with daylight very much in evidence as we traversed its spirals and loops. We left 705 at Bever and after photographing another freight, led by 702, headed further down the Engadine behind Ge4/4ii 619. We had photos lined up at Madulain, and then by way of 630 at S-Chamf. The early start is necessary here to beat the sun before it comes off the front of the, generally north facing, Pontresina - Scuol-Tarasp push-pull services. Happy with the shots, including of 705 now with a 'proper' freight we headed back to Bever behind 612, there were a couple of shots to be taken here the highlight of which was Ge4/4i 603 with a returning construction train from the new Albula tunnel works. Fortunately we were in position early as the train ran around an hour ahead of when we were expecting! A good decision was made to wait for a shot of an Albula line train with one of the GE4/4iii locos 646 in the slightly amusing 'BÜGA' livery, followed by an unexpected freight in the hands of 704. Also seen here were some impressively long Albula formations, one led by one of the 'best ever' Allegra EMU's hauling a 7 car Alvra set and 5 further conventional coaches- say what you want about the Allegra's but they've definitely got some pulling power!

From the banks of the Inn, freshly painted Ge4/4ii 615 'Klosters' is
seen with a push/pull train bound for Schol-Tarasp. 10/08/20.

The oldests loco we would see on the trip, Ge4/4i 603 'Silvretta' with the short freight
from Samedan to Zernez approaches its destination. 10/08/2020.

Happy to have 603 in the bag the GE4/4i chase was not over. 605, the other loco based at Samedan was allocated to the Zernez freight turn which, after a ride behind 612, was photographed on the curve approaching its destination (the only place one can really see a northbound train with light on the front at this time of day). With three of the extant 4 Ge4/4i's photographed in sunshine we weren't too disappointed when the weather clouded over. Zernez had a final surprise in the form of Infrastructure diesel loco Gmf4/4 23403 with a ballast train. We had seen the shiny yellow loco light engine earlier and it was good to catch up with this fairly rare, if unattractive, beast. 

Ge4/4ii 617 works a Landquart - St. Moritz train through the curve and away from Zernez. 10/08/2020.

Tmf 2/4 undertakes station work at Zernez. The load is an old rail bridge
 on a flatbed wagon. After some shunting this would be removed by 
 the station crane. Scenes which simply don't happen at home! 10/08/20.

Our journey continued on by way of 630 towards Ardez for our final photostop of the day. By this point the clouds were starting to look quite threatening and despite arriving in sunshine it was soon clear that we would not get the photo we wanted. After watching 630 return in increasingly gloomy conditions a decision was made to call time on the shot and take the next Disentis train back to our base in Chur. It had been a fruitful day and we could always try this shot again. No sooner had we departed from Ardez behind 618 and our decision was verified- a huge rainstorm would have drenched us and we definitely would not have got the shot!

Tuesday 11th August-

A railcar formed of a Be 4/4 motor coach pushing trailers punctuates the mountain scenerey between Davos Glaris and Davos Frauenkirch with a service from Filisur to Davos Platz. Along with much of the current RhB fleet these railcars are due to be replaced by the incoming 'Capricorn' EMU's. 11/08/20.

Ge6/6i 415 works the Filisur - Davos heritage train alongside the Landwasser river
with the first morning trip to Davos Platz. The train contains heritage coaches as 
well as open viewing wagons. 11/08/20.

Again no Ge4/4i on the Ilanz freight (it was a Ge4/4ii, with a Ge4/4iii on the mixed - unusual but certainly not what we wanted!) and with a good weather forecast for the morning we headed up to Filisur on an Allegra- the aim was to achieve the final item on our trips tick list- the Ge6/6i 'Crocodile' which works two tourist trips a day between Davos Platz and Filisur. We had attempted to photograph this two years previously at Davos Glaris but got caught out by a last minute cloud- it was one of the attractive Be4/4 railcars that took us to Davos Glaris on this occasion for us to find ourselves in that same position by the river. The clouds didn't treat all of us kindly but by the time the return working had passed we all had a shot to be pleased with. Taking us (and today our luggage) on to the Engadine was Ge4/4iii 645, with 647 continuing to Samedan- where else in the world can you take a train with both a full dining service and freight wagons attached to the back!?

Ge4/4ii 619 works a Davoz Platz - Fillisur service. These trains interwork with services between Landquart and Davos and can turn up any kind of traction. 11/08/20.

Ge6/6ii 707 stands at Samedan having arrived with a freight. 11/08/20.

After checking into the Hotel Terminus it was time for some more Engadine photography, first at S-Chanf (by way of 630) where the Zernez freight was seen returning, light engine for a second day in a row, before again heading on to Ardez behind 619 while other members of the group headed back to St. Moritz and Samadan to become the last of us to scratch in all the RhB track! The cloud unfortunately closed in again and after a run to Schol-Tarasp just for fun another cloudy photo here was achieved. Fortunately the village is picturesque, has a 'Volg' convenience store and a supply of postcards. 

The first built Ge4/4ii 611 is seen outside S-Chanf with a train from Landquart to St. Moritz. 11/08/20.

GE3/3 215 shunts postal wagons at Samedan. 11/08/20.

GE4/4ii 619 arrived to retrace our steps back to S-Chamf just incase the light was better here (it wasn't) and also get us into position for some dinner. A slight diversion occurred when we spotted a pop-up tent/bar on the mountainside, so a beer was enjoyed here before heading back into town to a restaurant we had scoped out earlier. Despite being denied fondu (you have to order a day before) a lovely potato rosti was produced that was more than sufficient to get us home. Part of the reason for eating here was to drop onto one of the other fairly anti-socially timed 'mixed' trains, this time from Klosters to Samedan and hauled by 703. There was just time to grab a few night shots of the shunting at Samedan before crossing the road to our hotel bar. 

Ge6/6ii 705 is illuminated by the station lights at Samedan as it waits to depart with an evening freight. 11/08/2020.

Wednesday 12th August-

The RhB train, pushed by Ge4/4ii 616 pales into insignificance within the vast landscape of the Engadine valley. Ardez, 12/08/2020.

Our first train of the day arrives into Samedan behind Ge4/4ii 627. 12/08/20.

Our final morning dawned with great weather yet again, and once again our target after breakfast was the Engadine line. The intention had been to head straight to Ardez, this time to try the morning shot, but while en route behind Ge4/4ii 627 we overtook our infrastructure diesel loco friend, Gmf4/4 23403 which we had earlier seen departing from Samedan from the hotel window. Since the loco had a load of ballast wagons and was clearly heading the same way we were a quick decision was taken to disembark at S-Chamf in the hope of getting a shot of it. Sure enough the plan worked and both 23403 and Ge4/4ii 630 working a St. Moritz - Landquarts train were photographed in very pleasing light. Back to plan A it was now the turn of 615 to take us forward. 

An unplanned but very pleasing shot of Gmf4/4 23403 working a short ballast train seen approaching S-Chanf. 12/08/2020.

While the sun shone at Ardez this time we were still slightly disappointed with the shots - the red Ge4/4ii's we always longed for didn't show and instead we photographed Ge4/4iii 642 on it's train from Disentis to Schol-Tarasp, followed by Ge4/4ii 619 in it's 'not red' livery! We could have stayed another hour but after our earlier diversion the light would likely have come round too far- plus I wanted to try a shot at Lavin- that didn't go so well and with the clouds now building it was soon time to head back towards Samedan with 627. The final aim of the trip, after picking up our bags was to get a ride behind Ge6/6i 415, the 'Crocodile' currently working the Filusur - Davos Platz tourists trips. 

Not the hoped for red Ge4/4ii, but still a pleasing shot as Ge4/4iii 642 approaches Ardez with a train from Disentis to Schol-Tarasp. 12/08/2020.

GE3/3 215 once again shunts postal wagons at Samedan.
These would shortly be shunted onto the rear of our train to Chur. 12/08/20.

After having some postal wagons attached to the rear it was 'BÜGA' loco 646 that took us to Filisur for an Alegra (with normal coach added of course) to Davos Wiesen where we would attempt the shot of the Crocodile crossing the impressive viaduct. This impressive viewpoint could be in the middle of the wilderness but is actually only a 5 minute walk from the station, heading back along the line on a walkway suspended from the side of the viaduct. A bottle of 'Monsteiner Krokodil' from the station bar was company as we waited and hoped the sun would play ball. I'm pleased to say it did and the happy photographers traipsed back across the viaduct content with an excellent week of photography and ready to get the one last line in the book with 415 hauling us in the historic train from Davos Weisen to Davos Platz. It really was the last line in the book for the RhB as the train onward to Landquart was an Alegra unit, with a tight connection at Landquart onto the 18:09 Chur - Basel which was a Twindex unit. It was almost an annoyance when an IC2000 set appeared to take us the short hop to Zurich Flughaven - it meant I had to run all the way front to identify Re460 115, and it is a long way! 

Two generations of Ge6/6 as 703 and 415 line up at Davos Platz. 12/08/20.

As it turns out we had arrived at the airport in plenty of time, so there would be no problem getting some food once we were airside- or so we thought. Zurich airport was a ghost town with only one more flight scheduled to leave behind ours - need I add that all the shops and stalls were firmly closed, and no chance of using the water fountain either. Far too dangerous! I would have to rely on EasyJet for food, but their best offering turned out to be a small tube of Pringles- Gatwick is it then. Oh wait- all closed there too... Kebab shop once I'm home it is then! 

Effectively the last shot of the trip, and time to celebrate the success that it had been- 'Crocodile' Ge6/6ii 415 crosses the Wiesen vaiduct at Davos Wiesen while a 'Monstiener Krokodil' beer from the station bar is enjoyed. 12/08/2020. 

Conclusions-

An articulated 'Alvra' coaching set is pushed by an 'Allegra' EMU over the new Rhein
bridge at Reichenau-Tammins. 08/08/2020.

Getting away has certainly been more of a challenge this year than any of us could have anticipated! While I've had a few great trips to the RhB and there are more exotic places on the hit list this seemed a fairly 'safe' and reliable place to head once restrictions had been eased, especially since there were a willing couple of friends itching to go. Switzerland was great, despite the face masks which are compulsory on all public transport. Once again the sun shone and I've come away with a great selection of images. Pretty much all classes of RhB traction were sampled, though I still need a ride on the Bernina railcars, a line which we did not touch on this trip. Unfortunately my last Ge4/4ii for a photo, 614 stayed on maintenance at Landquarts for the whole trip, and my final Ge6/6ii, 701 had recently been reported as withdrawn- the first of the class to succumb. 

Ge4/4ii's 615 and 618 line up at Samedan on the evening of 11th August 2020. Several locos in the area appeared to be freshly painted and looked very smart. 

A repeat of a photo from my first trip to the RhB back in 2017, 
only this time the Rhein valley is a feast of green as Ge4/4ii 629 
heads towards Reichenau-Tammins. Back in 2017 the scene 
was one of snow and bare trees!

The nature of these photography trips doesn't lend itself to 'bashing' locos, and as a result there are still seven Ge4/4ii's on my required list, including the illusive 614. The resurgence in regular work for the Ge4/4i's was a real bonus this year and we were well pleased to catch three of the remaining 4 on camera, 602 being on maintenance at Landquart following a derailment earlier in the month. Membership of the RhB club is certainly helpful tracking these down on anything but their seemingly regular Rheinschlucht turn.

The face of the future, Abe4/16 'Capricorn' EMU 3113 is on test at Davos Wiesen
 - fortunately one of very few sightings of the class on this trip. 11/08/2020.

The long standing threat of more EMU's in the form of the Capricorn units is ever looming but did not disrupt this trip in the slightest - in fact aside from one or two awful 'out the window' shots we didn't get a chance to photograph them and only one was seen in passenger service, between Davos and Klosters and one other on test. A couple more units occupy sidings. Clearly there is no mad rush to 'Capricorn' the line though it is clear that their impact will be felt once they finally do enter traffic. The recent announcement of an add-on order certainly isn't good news either! That said there will have to remain some decent trains on this network- a 3 car EMU is never going to replace all of the loco hauled stock currently in use, and often busy. I'll certainly be back on this line again (though I know I really do need to explore some others!)- even once the EMU invasion is complete it is clear that there will still be a full program of tourist trains and the scenery isn't going anywhere! For those wanting to enjoy the network at it's best do act now. 

GE4/4ii 625 'Kublis' heads downgrade at Saas. It was quite a dash to make it back to the station to board the very same train, but with such great lighting I couldn't resist attempting the picture. 09/08/2020.

Ge4/4ii 627 heads away from S-Chamf with a Pontresina to 
Schol-Tarasp push-pull service. 10/08/2020

Also noticeable since my last visit to the standard gauge lines is the reduction in 'traditional' Swiss locos. Our time at Frick did produce a number of Re4/4 and Re6/6 locos (all heading the wrong way of course), but the number of Vectrons now present was very noticeable. The Re4/4's also continue to loose passenger work, the Chur axis particularly now being a relative stronghold for the Twindex units with only a few Re4/4's each day and even less evidence of any Re460's. I guess I shall just have to get back before it's all gone... 

Re4/4 11135 approaches Frick with a Zurich - Basel working. These hourly trains are one of the last strongholds for the class on passenger duties. 07/08/2020.

Rhaetian Crocodile Ge6/6 415 heads through typical picturesque Swiss countryside as it heads the tourist special from Davos Platz - Filisur. 11/08/2020.