This autumn the Rhaetian Railway (RhB) will attempt to beat the world record for the longest passenger train.
If successful, this will be entered into the Guinness Book of Records, replacing The Ghan, an Australian weekly sleeper service that runs between Adelaide and Darwin in Australia.
At peak times The Ghan can reach 1096 metres in length.
On 29 October RhB’s 100-carriage, 1910m-long passenger train, made up of 25 Capricorn multiple units, is scheduled to travel along the UNESCO World Heritage Albula/Bernina route from Preda to Bergün and over the Landwasser Viaduct.
The world record attempt is being supported by 15 partners including rail organisations ABB, Sersa, the Rhomberg Sersa Rail Group and Stadler, which produces the Capricorn units.
“The Rhaetian Railway and Stadler have been working closely together since 1963. We are proud to be able to support the RhB with our robust, high-quality trains and our know-how in this world record attempt.”
This world record attempt is being held as part of 175th anniversary celebrations of the Swiss railways and on the big day a festival area – accessible only via train – will be set up for 3,000 guests in Bergün.
Tickets to the festival, which will include a railway village, music, comedy and food, will go on sale 2 August.
“Switzerland is a railway country like no other. This year we’re celebrating 175 years of Swiss railways.
“With this world record attempt, the RhB and its partners want to make their contribution and realise a pioneering feat that has never been seen before.
“In addition, we would like to use this event to generate lasting attention for ourselves, but also for Graubünden and Switzerland, and thus promote tourism.”
To promote the event, a newly designed locomotive 644 was unveiled this week, which will enter service immediately.
