Furka Steam Railway

The Furka Steam Railway (German: Dampfbahn Furka-Bergstrecke (DFB)) is a largely volunteer operated heritage railway which operates a partially rack and pinion-operated line across the Furka Pass, between Realp in Uri and Oberwald in Valais. Culminating at 2,160 metres (7,087 ft), above sea level, it is an old mountainous section of the Furka Oberalp Bahn (FO) that was abandoned after the construction of the Furka Tunnel.[1]:86 It has been gradually brought back into service by the Verein Furka-Bergstrecke with the use of only steam locomotives, with the entire line completed in 2010.[1]:86-7 The Furka Railway is the second highest rail crossing in Europe, after the Bernina Railway. The Uri side of the line also constitutes the highest railway in Central Switzerland.

At the Steinstafel bridge
Rotary snowplow at the Steffenbach bridge
Furka Steam Railway
The Furka Steam Railway
Overview
Native nameDampfbahn Furka-Bergstrecke DFB
StatusOperating during summer and autumn season
OwnerVerein Furka-Bergstrecke
LocaleUri / Valais, Switzerland
TerminiRealp
Oberwald
Stations6
WebsiteFurka Steam Railway
Service
TypeHeavy rail
Services1
Operator(s)Verein Furka-Bergstrecke
Depot(s)Realp
History
Opened1925
Closed1981
Reopened1992
Technical
Line length17.838 km (11.084 mi)
CharacterHeritage railway
Rack systemAbt
Track gauge1,000 mm (3 ft 3 3⁄8 in) metre gauge
Highest elevation2,160 m (7,090 ft)
Maximum incline3.5% (adhesion)
11.8% (rack rail)
Route map
 
elev (M)
km
or length (m)
in metres
0.000
 Realp DFB
1,546 M
to Matterhorn Gotthard Bahn
0.150
 Realp Depot
 Schweigstrasse
Wilerbrücke
70 m
Alt Senntumstafel-Tunnel III
80 m
Alt Senntumstafel-Tunnel II
79 m
Alt Senntumstafel-Tunnel I
36 m
Steffenbachtobelbrücke
37.5 m
3.660
 Tiefenbach
1,849 M
Steinstafelviadukt
54 m
Sidelenbachbrücke
26 m
6.996
 Furka DFB
2,163 M
Furka Summit Tunnel
1,874 M
Uri
Valais
cantonal border
9.206
 Muttbach-Belvédère
2,120 M
Muttbach railway crossing
Gletsch 2 railway crossing
12.891
 Gletsch
1,762 M
Gletsch 1 railway crossing
Gletsch-Kehrtunnel
578 m
Rottenviadukt
25 m
Lammenviadukt
86 m
Räterisbachbrücke
22 m
to Furka Base Tunnel
17.838
 Oberwald
1,366 M
km
elev (M)
or length (m)
in metres
 

The section of line was always a severe operational difficulty for the FO as its high altitude rendered it impassable due to snow and ice for much of the winter season, hence it being abandoned and a tunnel constructed.[1]:86 This has remained a headache for the DFB, as every year it must be closed down and then reopened, an expensive process which involves the removal and replacement of a specially folding transportable bridge that would otherwise be damaged by the snow every year.[1]:88

The rebuilding of the line has also not been without new difficulties. Requiring to cross a busy main road on a rack operated section, the rack over the road is retractable, actuated to raise at the same time as the level crossing barriers by radios fitted to the line's locomotives.[1]:87 Another section, running through a forested nature reserve, has had to be fitted with a sprinkler system that operates before and after trains pass, again actuated by the radios aboard. Relays allow the system to cascade up or down the section in line with the train, to save water which is supplied by natural water supplies near the summit of the line.[1]:87

Current and future plans
Gletsch railway station

The organisation is currently restoring 2 HG 4/4 "D" Steam Locomotives. These 0-8-0 locos were built in Switzerland for use in Vietnam, and were repatriated along with locomotives from the Furka Oberalp Bahn that had been exported to Vietnam after their use in Switzerland.[1]:88 The organisation is currently endeavouring to raise approximately Swiss Fr. 1,700,000, or 1,200,000 Euro or 1,200,000 US Dollars for the work required. The test runs of one of the locomotives are planned for 2013, to assess their suitability for the Furka line. The cost of a new firebox, one of the components the HG 4/4s require, is about Swiss Fr. 110,000, or 80,000 Euro.

Another current project is the restoration of a steam-powered rotary snowplough to deal with the heavy snowfall that needs to be cleared from the route before services can commence each year.[1]:89 This may provide a lucrative opportunity as photographers and film-makers from across Europe and the world will be keen to capture such clearances on camera.

The fundraising foundation Stiftung Furka - Bergstrecke (Furka Mountain Line Foundation), which is separate to the operating company, is providing for the reconstruction of the 2 HG 4/4 locomotives and to develop the line's depot at Realp. The foundation provides investment for equipment and construction on the line generally.

See also

References
  1. Lambert, A. (July 2012). "By steam to the Rhone's source". Steam Railway Magazine. Lynchwood, Peterborough, UK: Bauer Consumer Media Limited (404).

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