This was bit of an early one as we had to leave the hotel at 0745hr to walk down to the station where we would catch the Bernina Express to Tirano in Italy. The train starts its journey at St Moritz, not only did we have our First Class Swiss Rail pass we also had reserved seats so there was no worry about where we would sit. On the way we passed the Albula Railway Museum. They have an electric loco in the shed outside, affectionately known as “The Crocodile” due to its shape with a long snout in front of the main cab.
We stopped to wait for a train coming in the opposite direction at Alp Grüm. As we were here for about ten minutes we were able to get off and take photos. When its time to leave they ring a large bell on the platform. The train coming the other way doesn’t stop. This is the summit and its all down hill to Italy with the track curving off sharply to the right as soon as you leave the station.
Once the other train had passed we continued on to Tirano arriving at the terminal station. We had about an hour and a half before our return journey so we walked into town to visit The Church of San Martino returning via the river.
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Back by the station we had time for both a beer and an ice cream before boarding our train for the return journey. Not far out of Tirano we crossed the Swiss/Italian border, still visible down on the road.
One of the things this line is famous for is the way it ducks under itself as it loses height in a tight space , all these photos were taken from the train as it made its way down and under the viaduct.
Everyone who travels first class is presented with a small metal train carriage containing chocolates and a carton of herbal tea. We declined the tea on the return journey after tasting it on the way out but now have 4 tins of chocolates.
The line runs along the side of Lago di Poschiavo which like most lakes in Switzerland has its own ferry.
Of course the views were just as spectacular on the 4 hour+ journey back to Chur.
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