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In celebration of the 175th anniversary of the Rhaetian Railway Company (RhB), the company has officially introduced the Capricorn train. Upon its debut, this railway project shattered the records of numerous other trains to become the 'Longest Train in the World'. Along its record-breaking journey, the Capricorn train conquered famous and challenging routes. Join Mytour to explore this superior record-breaking train!
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 travels along the Albula line, starting from Preda station to Thusis, covering a distance of approximately 25 km and completing the journey within an hour.
The Albula route is renowned for its winding curves, rugged terrain, and interconnected mountain slopes. Despite its 62 km length, it was completed in just 5 years.
The Capricorn train is a railway project filled with dedication from Switzerland (Image Source: Collected)
During this brief period, this route successfully built 55 bridges and 39 tunnels. This is truly an astonishing figure when completing such a lengthy railway. Therefore, the Albula railway in Switzerland was recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2008.
Previously, this route 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, this route was improved into a significant thoroughfare.
Origin of Building the Capricorn Train
In celebration of its 175th anniversary, the Rhaetian Railway company (RhB) has unveiled the Capricorn train. This monumental project marks a breakthrough in Switzerland's railway industry. True to its promise, the Capricorn train has surpassed many other 'famous' names to establish the record for the 'Longest Passenger Train Journey in the World'.
The infinite length of the Capricorn train journey from Preda to Thusis (Photo Source: Compiled)
RhB's CEO, Dr. Renato Fasciata, revealed that the efforts to set a world record are significant events to commemorate the company's 175th anniversary. This record symbolizes 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 rail travel in the near future.
Factors Behind Capricorn Train's World Record Achievement?
It's no coincidence that the Guinness World Records bestowed the title of 'Longest Train in the World' upon Switzerland. The Capricorn train, with its 100 carriages, spans a length of 1,910 meters and weighs nearly 2,990 tons.
The most remarkable aspect of setting the record is that the Capricorn train operates on narrow-gauge railway lines. These lines have a width of just 1 meter, a stark contrast to the standard gauge tracks used in countries like Belgium and several other European nations, which typically measure 1,435 meters. These specifications have helped Switzerland surpass Belgium and the Netherlands to claim the record for the 'Narrowest Railway Gauge in the World'.
The Capricorn train stands out as a striking feature amidst the European natural landscape (Photo Source: Compiled)
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 mountain. The train runs from Preda to Thusis covering a distance of about 25 km. Each journey lasts just an hour.
Every day, numerous local residents line up along the valley to catch a glimpse of this record-breaking train as it passes through the majestic Alps.
Many local residents line up daily to witness the train passing through the valley (Photo Source: Compiled)
However, the installation and control of the world's longest train faced numerous challenges. To ensure all signals are operational, a makeshift telephone nearly 2km long has been 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 Capricorn Train's Maiden Test Run
Although the inauguration event went relatively smoothly, the maiden test run encountered an incident. During this trial run, the journey faced its first failure as it was discovered that the braking system failed to activate. Furthermore, the 7 drivers were unable to maintain communication with each other via radio or mobile phones. Subsequently, RhB company made modifications and added communication systems. This not only ensured that the train journey faced no obstacles but also ensured absolute safety.
Since its first debut, the Capricorn train has excellently achieved the record of being the 'Longest Train in the World'. Establishing this new record has marked a new milestone in the development of Switzerland's railway industry. With insights from Mytour, we hope you gain valuable new knowledge. Contact Mytour via hotline Mytour to book affordable European tours with many attractive offers.
