Alpine Steam Legacy
Switzerland's Furka Pass Steam Railway Marks a Century of Scenic Alpine Journeys
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Key Points
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Early-1980s Furka Base Tunnel redirected commercial traffic away from the historic surface route, prompting its closure until volunteers began reviving the line (the revival effort culminated in an association of 'pioneers' in 1983).
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A rock-carved tunnel near the Muttbach-Belvedere station offers a dramatic panorama as the steam train threads through the Alps.
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At Furka station, engines are refilled from a historic water tower, a moment highlighted on the journey for visitors.
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Restoration efforts included salvaging steam locomotives from far away as Vietnam, a testament to the volunteers' dedication.
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Tourists ride on vintage carriages aboard steam locomotives during the summer heritage service, with trains often referred to by visitors as 'dampflokomotive'.
Switzerland's Furka Mountain Steam Railway is marking 100 years of operation this weekend, with celebrations along its dramatic 18-kilometer route through the Alps. The line first opened on July 3, 1926, linking the cantons of Uri and Valais across the Furka Pass — one of Switzerland's highest crossings at about 2,431 meters above sea level, according to Travel and Tour World.
The railway, known in German as the Dampfbahn Furka-Bergstrecke, now runs as a summer heritage attraction. Visitors ride vintage carriages pulled by steam locomotives — called 'dampflokomotive' by enthusiasts — through tunnels carved in rock and past sweeping Alpine panoramas, according to AP News.
How a Tunnel Nearly Killed the Historic Route
The line's survival was not guaranteed. In the early 1980s, a new Furka Base Tunnel was built to carry commercial rail traffic year-round under the mountain. That redirected all regular trains away from the original surface route, and the historic line shut down, according to AP News.
A group of volunteers refused to let it die. In 1983, they formed an association of self-styled 'pioneers' dedicated to bringing the railway back to life. Their revival effort took decades of painstaking work before the full 18-kilometer route reopened in 2010 as a heritage railway, according to Travel and Tour World.
Volunteers Rescued Locomotives from as Far as Vietnam
The restoration effort went far beyond Switzerland. Volunteers tracked down original steam locomotives that had been sold off and shipped overseas — including some found as far away as Vietnam. They brought the engines home, restored them, and put them back on the Furka tracks, according to AP News.
That dedication paid off. Today, the railway operates restored steam trains every summer, drawing rail enthusiasts and tourists alike. At Furka station, drivers stop to refill the engine from a historic water tower — a moment that has become one of the journey's highlights for passengers.
James Bond Hairpins and Rock-Carved Alpine Vistas
The Furka Pass is famous well beyond the rail world. Its tight hairpin bends featured in the 1964 James Bond film 'Goldfinger,' putting the pass on a global stage, according to Yahoo News. The route's elevation and scenery have made it one of Switzerland's most iconic mountain crossings.
Along the railway, a rock-carved tunnel near the Muttbach-Belvedere station offers one of the most dramatic views on the line. The steam train threads through the Alps, with deep valleys dropping away on either side. Passengers look out over glaciers and jagged peaks that few roads can reach.
A Living Museum Driving Rural Tourism and Regional Pride
The centennial celebration is more than a birthday party. Local officials and railway supporters say the line anchors rural tourism in a region that lost its main rail link decades ago. The heritage service runs only in summer, but it draws visitors from across Europe each season, according to Travel and Tour World.
The railway's 100-year milestone shows what volunteer dedication can preserve. From salvaged locomotives to hand-maintained track, the Furka steam line is now both a working museum and a symbol of Alpine heritage — kept alive entirely by the people who believed it was worth saving.
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