For the first time on KZfaq, experience the Lötschberg alpine pass in 4K, with many interesting facts about things you see along the way, including abandoned tunnels, junctions, former stations and more.
Station names are complete with their altitude and gradients are shown in the top right corner, to give you an idea of what the locomotives are dealing with.
Today we're travelling with 2 Siemens locomotives belonging to the Eurosprinter family, specifically ES 64 F4, equipped to operate in many countries under AC & DC supply power. Leading is a Swiss owned Re 474 and behind it, a leased MRCE Br 189. This is also the first video with a bank locomotive (which pushes from behind), which is required for trains over 1'400t at these gradients to avoid breaking the couplings. See if you can spot it in the rear view camera - although it will be tricky because it's quite a long train.
For those who aren't familiar with Swiss geography, the north is generally hilly with flat parts here and there, whereas the south lies in the middle of the alps, which span from Austria to the east right across to France in the southwest. The first alpine crossing was achieved through the Gotthardbahn in 1882, which runs from central Switzerland to the southern most tip in Ticino.
In 1906, the BLS (Bern - Lötschberg - Simplon) was founded, who pioneered the alpine crossing over the Lötschberg pass, where we will be travelling today. In 2007, a base tunnel was opened, avoiding the steep ramps of the mountain pass and cutting time off the overall journey, however only one third is double tracked, reducing its capacity.
This has led to most northbound freight trains taking the mountain route, while southbound trains tend to be routed through the tunnel, hence most cab ride videos on youtube showing the mountain route being northbound.
Unfortunately the sound was ruined by the air conditioner about halfway into the journey. Sorry for the inconvenience.
Linked videos:
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2:10:12 High speed line to Rothrist • ★ 4K 🇨🇭Geneva - Bern -...
2:34:54 Luzern - Langenthal • ★ 🇨🇭Cab ride Luzern - ...
2:59:05 Olten - Läufelfingen - Sissach • ★ 🇨🇭Cab ride Olten - L...
3:13:24 Liestal - Waldenburg 750mm gauge • ★ 🇨🇭Cab ride Liestal -...
Two further videos are coming,
1. Only the front view
2. Only the rear view
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