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Stadtbahn Chur No. 2 - Arosa-bound in Autumn Sunlight

Stadtbahn Chur No. 2 - Arosa-bound in Autumn Sunlight

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Steve Ember


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Stadtbahn Chur No. 2 - Arosa-bound in Autumn Sunlight

No, not a tram on steroids, but an actual locomotive-pulled train rumbling along a
main thoroughfare in the old city of Chur, capital of Switzerland’s Canton Graubünden.

This is a quite frequent sight in Chur as the Chur-Arosa trains of the Rhätische Bahn, after departing from in front of
the Hauptbahnhof, actually serve as a Stadtbahn, carrying local passengers among several stops within Chur before heading up from the valley of the Plessur River to climb to the resort village of Arosa.

This train, on this October afternoon in 2010 is being pulled by one of RhB’s trusty Ge 4/4 Series II electric locomotives, positioned on the Arosa-end of the train. For the return trip down to Chur, the driver will operate the train from the control cab fitted to the end of the last carriage.(*) Nowadays, the hauling is done by modern Allegra trainsets.

This photo, taken on a bright, sunny autumn day in 2010, and making its first F-C appearance here, was part of a happy return to the Chur-Arosa line, which I rode a few days later. My initial experience with this special line was in 1994, when the train did not use locomotives, but DC-powered Triebwagen equipment and (un-powered) coaches. (**) A subsequent change in the powering of the Arosa line to AC allowed mainline locomotives such as this one to appear, making the Stadtbahn all the more railfan-impressive as it navigated the streets of Chur on its meter gauge tracks.

The bright sunshine of this early autumn afternoon allowed the Ektachrome-100SW slide film in my
Canon EOS-1 to vividly capture the action, through an EF 28-80mm L-Series lens with polarizing filter.

©2023 Steve Ember
(*) Nearby

Stadtbahn Chur
Stadtbahn Chur
Steve Ember

(**)
Arosa-Bahn - Heading for the Clouds
Arosa-Bahn - Heading for the Clouds
Steve Ember


Commenti 2

  • Thomas Reitzel 15/12/2023 15:25

    A great shot in the bright mountain sunshine of Chur, that the EOS 1 could easily handly, which was not quite so common in this lighting, and the film did a good job as well.
    Steve, a great shot of bygone times, as we sadly have to moarn.
    But no, the Arosa line has grown modern an adult in away, though we railfans will surey miss the option of windows to be opened...
    Let´s hope the Ge 4/4 II engines will still enjoy more further years in trusted service, as RhB still gets new EMUs to diplace the older engines and, even more regrettable, the wonderful coaches of that time...
    Kind regards,
    Tom
    • Steve Ember 15/12/2023 20:55

      Thanks so much, Tom; a comment from you on a Rhätische Bahn photo of mine is always highly valued, especially as you were so instrumental in my earliest appreciation and knowledge of this very special railroad!
      I've not yet experienced the Allegra trainsets but, like you, a much loved aspect of riding RhB trains was always the chance to shoot out of open windows, and I do hope that experience will remain an option on at least some of their trains.
      Wishing you a lovely Weihnachtszeit, perhaps enhanced by some scenic snowfall!
      All best,
      Steve