Rhätische Bahn along the Vorderrhein

Rhätische Bahn along the Vorderrhein

Seen from the rear, this very long Rhätische Bahn Regio-Express bound for Disentis-Mustér
rounds one of the many long sweeping curves that take it along the Vorderrhein branch of
the young Rhine, its mountain origins clearly evident in the glacial moraine aquamarine
color of its rushing waters.

A few minutes ago, the train left Reichenau/Tamins, the point where the Vorderrhein meets
the Hinterrhein to become a single river on its way up to Chur. And in another few minutes, it
will be surrounded by the towering limestone cliffs of Switzerland’s “Grand Canyon,” the
Vorderrheinschlucht (Vorderrhein Gorge).

The narrow gauge Rhätische Bahn is the extensive rail network of Switzerland’s Canton Graubünden.
On this splendid early autumn day in 2010, I am enjoying a round-trip from Chur to Disentis-Mustér,
reliving for the first time this stretch of spectacular scenery first seen in 1989 on the Glacier Express,
traveling from Zermatt to St. Moritz.

Yes, it took 21 years to get back and enjoy not only this route but also the RhB’s Albula,
Bernina, and Chur-Arosa lines and to photograph them extensively in the inviting autumn sunshine,
both with digital and film cameras. It was every bit worth the wait! But, as written elsewhere,
21 years is far too long to be away from my beloved Canton Graubünden and my favorite mountain
railway system, the Rhätische Bahn. More frequent visits are definitely in my travel/photography plans.

This image is available in archival gallery prints and as a custom printed Photo Note Card.

Please visit my Rhätische Bahn, Swiss Alps, and Kodachrome! folders for more images from this Autumn 2010 visit…

Photo and Narrative ©2010/2011 Steve Ember

Further up the line...