7 Interesting Facts About Switzerland's Train System
Much like the country itself, trains in Switzerland operate with incredible precision and efficiency and offer travellers thrilling views of just about every lush valley and dramatic mountain peak the tiny country is known for. Here are some interesting facts you may not know about Switzerland's fascinating rain system!
1. Tracks Traverse the Country
Despite being small in size, Switzerland's rail system is extensive, covering approximately 3,241 miles of railway. This gives the country the densest rail network in Europe, with approximately 196 miles of track per 1,000 square miles - over 2.5 times the European average. About 1,860 of those miles are owned by the Swiss Federal Railways, 1,240 by private railways, and another 93 miles consist of mountain railway lines (cogwheel or funicular).
2. Residents Love the Train
The Swiss Railway Network carries over 300 million passengers a year, giving the Swiss the distinction of having the highest rail usage in the world. In a year, each person in Switzerland takes an average of 53 rail trips covering around 1,400 miles.
3. Switzerland is Home to the Steepest Cogwheel Train
The country's Mount Pilatus is home to the world's steepest cogwheel railway, which is essentially a traditional train fitted with a rack and pinion system, or cogwheel, enabling it to climb much steeper grades. Whereas the grade on traditional trains is a maximum of 7%, Mount Pilatus Railway has a maximum gradient of 48%.
4. The World's Longest Rail Tunnel is Here Too
When it was completed in 2016, Switzerland’s 35.4 miles long Gotthard Base Tunnel became the world’s longest rail tunnel. The world's second-longest land tunnel (and a feat of modern engineering) is in Switzerland too - the 21.5-mile-long Lötschberg tunnel under the Bernese Alps.
5. It's Electrified
In 1916, the Swiss Federal Railways decided that electrification of its rail network would use the high-tension single-phase alternating current system that is still used on all routes today. Most of the electricity for the rail network comes from clean hydro-power, making Switzerland's rail network one of the most energy-efficient in the world.
6. Spiral Loops and Tunnels Dominate the Terrain
Switzerland has more spiral loops and tunnels than any rail system in the world, allowing a train to climb very steep terrain. Many of these spirals are built entirely underground as tunnels.
7. Hybrids Dominate the Tracks
Several of the mountain railways in Switzerland use technology to capture and use the energy produced in downhill braking. The scenic Jungfrau Railway is the perfect example - every four trains going down produces enough power to send one up.
