Bernina Express

Rhaetian Railway (RhB)

Switzerland

Italy

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Navigate from Chur Station to Tirano Station across a span of 122km.

Meals: None

Ensuite: No

Meals: None

Ensuite: No

Engine / Locomotive

RhB Ge 4/4 III or ABe 8/8 Allegra (3-voltage AC/DC panoramic units for Albula/Bernina gradient profiles)

Locomotive Weight

Approx. 50–72 tonnes

Track Gauge

1,000 mm (Meter gauge)

Braking Technology

Vacuum brakes with regenerative rheostatic braking for steep alpine gradients

Route Engineering Challenges

Bernina Pass at 2,253m — highest railway pass in the Alps, requiring specialized rack-and-adhesion operation
Albula Line UNESCO spiral tunnels between Filisur and Bergün (tight curve geometry)
Climate zone transition from Swiss alpine to Italian Mediterranean within 122km
Multi-voltage operation: 1,000V DC (RhB network) with 11kV AC overhead on main sections
Landwasser Viaduct approach with tight 70m radius curve on elevated stone arch

Traction System

1,000V DC / 11kV AC (dual voltage for international compatibility)

Max Grade

70‰ (7 percent) on Bernina Pass rack sections

UNESCO Designations

Albula Line (2008) and Bernina Line (2008) — Rhaetian Railway in the Albula / Bernina Landscapes

Albula Tunnel

5,866m at 1,821m elevation