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To commemorate the 175th anniversary of the Rhaetian Railway Company (RhB), the company officially unveiled the Capricorn train. Upon its debut, this railway project broke records of many other trains to become the 'Longest Train in the World'. On its record-breaking journey, the Capricorn train conquered famous and challenging routes. Let's explore this exceptional record-breaking train with Mytour!
Where is the Capricorn Train located?
The Capricorn train is an impressive railway project owned by the Rhaetian Railway Company (RhB) of Switzerland. This train runs along the Albula line, starting from Preda station to Thusis, covering a distance of about 25 km and completing the journey in about an hour.
The Albula line is renowned for its winding curves, rugged terrain, and consecutive mountain slopes. Despite its 62 km length, it took only 5 years to complete the entire route.
The Capricorn train is a Swiss railway project full of dedication (Image Source: Collected)
During this short period, the railway successfully constructed 55 bridges and 39 tunnels. It's truly an unbelievable number to complete such a lengthy railway. That's why the Albula railway line in Switzerland was recognized as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 2008.
Previously, this line was inaugurated in July 1904. At that time, it was a rough trail only accessible by horse-drawn carriages and sleds. Hence, the risk of accidents on this route was often very high. Later, it was improved into a significant thoroughfare.
Origin of Building the Capricorn Train
To commemorate its 175th anniversary, the Rhaetian Railway (RhB) introduced the Capricorn train. This grand project marked a breakthrough in Switzerland's railway industry. True to its name, the Capricorn train surpassed many other 'famous' names to establish the record for the 'Longest Passenger Train Journey in the World'.
The endless length of the Capricorn train on its route from Preda to Thusis (Image Source: Collected)
RhB's CEO, Dr. Renato Fasciata, revealed that the efforts to set a world record are significant events to commemorate the railway company's 175th anniversary. This record represents the collective effort of the RhB team and the support from Stadler, the train manufacturing company. RhB hopes to attract more tourists to visit and experience railway travel in the near future.
Factors Contributing to Capricorn Train Setting the World Record?
It's no coincidence that the Guinness World Records bestowed Switzerland with the title of 'Longest Train in the World.' The Capricorn train consists of 100 carriages, stretching 1,910 meters in length and weighing nearly 2,990 tons.
The most remarkable aspect of setting the record was that the Capricorn train operated on narrow-gauge railways. These railways have a track gauge of just 1 meter, contrasting with the standard gauge of 1.435 meters used in most European countries, including Belgium and the Netherlands. These specifications helped Switzerland surpass Belgium and the Netherlands to claim the record for the 'Narrowest Gauge Railway in the World.'
The Capricorn train stands out as a striking feature amidst the European landscape (Image Source: Collected)
Which Routes Does the Capricorn Train Pass Through?
In addition to these 'record-breaking' statistics, the Capricorn train traverses 22 tunnels, 48 bridges (including the Landwasser Viaduct). Moreover, it navigates through some treacherous spiral tunnels across the mountains. The train runs from Preda to Thusis, covering approximately 25 km in length. Each journey lasts just one hour.
Every day, numerous locals line up along the valley for the opportunity to witness this record-breaking train pass through the majestic Alps.
Many locals queue up daily to catch a glimpse of the train passing through the valley (Image Source: Collected)
However, installing and controlling the world's longest train has faced numerous challenges. To ensure that all signals are operational, a nearly 2km long field phone has been pre-installed on the train. Additionally, the train always has 7 drivers and 21 technicians working continuously to ensure the safety of passengers and smooth operations.
Incident During the First Test Run of the Capricorn Train
Although the inauguration event went smoothly, the first test run encountered an incident. During this trial run, the journey faced its first failure as it was found that the braking system was not functional. Moreover, the 7 drivers were unable to communicate with each other via radio or mobile phone. Subsequently, RhB company made modifications and added communication systems. This not only ensured that the train journey encountered no obstacles but also ensured absolute safety.
Since its first launch, the Capricorn train has remarkably achieved the record of being the “World's Longest Train.” Establishing this new record has marked a new development milestone in the Swiss railway industry. Hopefully, with the insights from Mytour, you will gain more valuable knowledge. Contact Mytour via hotline Mytour to book affordable Europe tours with many attractive offers.
