On the day of the world record attempt, there will be a festival site in Bergün. This can only be reached by train and is limited to 3,000 guests. If you travel early in the morning, you can follow the world record attempt on the track at different viewpoints. The world record attempt will be broadcast at the festival site and on TV via live stream. There is also a supporting programme with a railway village, musical entertainment, comedy and gastronomy. Children’s conductor Clà Ferrovia will also be there for younger guests. 

Detailed programme to follow

Services included: 

• Admission to the marquee
• Welcome package
• Admission to the Albula Railway Museum

Please note that travel to Bergün is not included in the ticket. A regular ticket is also required for the journey. Further information is available under the heading Arrival.

There is a special timetable for the world record attempt. 

Please note that when purchasing a festival ticket, you must choose the desired train connection. This is absolutely necessary so that all guests can arrive at the festival site in good time. Guests from the Engadine can purchase seats for the train replacement bus from. St. Moritz via the Julier Pass.

The Albula Tunnel will be closed all day. Passengers from the Engadin will be diverted via Vereina – Davos – Filisur. 

Please note that there are no parking spaces in Bergün. Arrival by car is not possible.

Return journey:
From 4.00 p.m. trains run regularly in the direction of Chur and Engadin. Please pay attention to the announcements in Bergün. Due to the expected high number of visitors, waiting times are to be expected. 

Extra trains

Please note that the extra trains may only be used with a valid reservation.

The remaining trains run according to the official timetable and departure times:

Please note that the trains end in Preda, Bergün or Tiefencastel.

Extra bus

Please note that the extra bus may only be used with a valid reservation.

• The world-record route from Preda to Alvaneu is 24,930 metres long.
• This involves covering a difference in altitude of 789.4 metres (Preda = 1,788.7 m a.s.l.; Alvaneu = 999.3 m a.s.l.).
• The world-record train will travel at 30 to 35 km/h. 
• The record-breaking journey will take around 46 minutes.
• The weight of the record-breaking train is around 2,990 tonnes.
• Communication within the train is ensured by means of a field telephone almost two kilometres long from the Civil Defence. 
• In addition, 7 train drivers and 21 technicians will be at work on the train to ensure its operability. 
• The Albula Tunnel will be closed to rail traffic for around 12 hours. Trains will run only to Bergün during these 12 hours. During the world record attempt, the track between Tiefencastel and Bergün will be closed to rail traffic for around four hours

Never before has such a long passenger train travelled anywhere in the world, let alone in the high mountains on a narrow-gauge railway with tight curve radii, lots of tunnels and viaducts. This gives rise to various challenges that must be overcome before and during the journey.

Synchronous control of train structure and handling braking forces
The 25 trains must all accelerate or decelerate at the same time, although only four trains can be controlled from the same driver’s cab. An electric circuit ensures that all trains brake at the same time if the trains need to slow down suddenly. Due to the large weight of the train (2,850 tonnes without passengers), very high forces will be exerted on the infrastructure and the carriages if parts of the train do not react in sync. A separate intercom system on the train, trained train drivers and clear commands ensure the corresponding result. In addition, special software is loaded for driving the record-breaking train and the mechanical braking power is reduced. 

Recuperation and effects on grid load 
On the descent, the train is fully braked by electric recuperation. This produces electricity that is fed to the overhead line and can be used by other trains on the RhB network (as well as other railways in Switzerland and abroad). In addition, the excess electricity can also be fed into the public grid via power converters (e.g. in Bever). The major challenge is that the overhead contact line voltage could increase too much (usually 11,000 volts), as 25 trains in the same section will be generating electricity synchronously. The overvoltage might not be able to be absorbed by individual systems connected to the traction current. Various tests were carried out to this end and measures are being taken to ensure the record-breaking journey can take place (e.g. limiting speed and acceleration, reducing recuperation with special train software, preventative transfer of systems to local grid power supply). 

Connection of trains
The individual four-part Capricorns are connected to a fully automatic coupling. Four trains are driven by each train driver. There is mechanical and pneumatic coupling between four Capricorn trains, but not electric coupling. For this purpose, additional safety control lines are laid between the trains.

Ensuring safety and availability of track and systems
The track is closed to other trains for the record run. The record train is sometimes longer than various block sections. The journey is controlled from the operations centre in Landquart. It must be ensured that the signals, as well as the level crossings and customer information, are triggered at the right moment. 

Live media production
The record run will be recorded (by Blick) via a live production and broadcast on various channels. For this purpose, a wide range of cameras from drones, in the driver’s cab and on the track will be used and will have to be processed in real time. This alone is a major (and exciting) challenge on a track with limited mobile coverage.

A total of 15 well-known partners are on board for the world record attempt. They underpin the pioneering and innovative spirit that has always distinguished Switzerland as a railway and travel destination. Without the financial and technological support of the partners, the world record attempt would not be feasible. Stadler, which is also the manufacturer of the Capricorn railcars, will act as presenting partner.

The other engineering services are provided by ABB and Sersa as companies of the Rhomberg Sersa Rail Group. ABB stands for energy efficiency and Sersa for the construction and maintenance of the railway infrastructure. The main partners are complemented by Märklin, a specialist for model railways.