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View at the Landwasser Viaduct during a footplate ride from the driver’s cab.
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Excursions with RhB

Footplate rides

Travelling up front

Take your place at the front of the train as our passenger and freight trains wind their way through the beauty of the Swiss Alps. Enjoy your excursion through the Swiss canton of Graubünden in the driver’s cab of an RhB locomotive through the Albula Valley or on the highest railway line in the Alps, the Bernina Line.

On your excursion, you will not only see breathtaking scenery, but also impressive attractions. On the Albula Line, the Solis and Landwasser Viaducts as well as the helical tunnels between Bergün and Preda. On the Bernina Line, the Ospizio Bernina, Alp Grüm and the Brusio Circular Viaduct. At the end of the day, RhB will present you with a commemorative certificate and photo.

Highlights of the footplate rides

Breathtaking scenery

Your footplate ride takes you through the breathtaking scenery of the Albula or Bernina Lines. The spectacular lines, which have been a UNESCO World Heritage site since 2008, were built over 100 years ago by railway pioneers and are still considered unique today.

Professional guide

A footplate ride gives you the opportunity to look over the shoulder of our experienced train crew. You will hear stories and anecdotes about RhB, the landscape around the Albula or Bernina Lines, and the magnificent man-made structures. In this way, you will not only gain unique impressions, but also exclusive knowledge.

Magnificent man-made structures

On your exclusive footplate ride, you will not only experience impressive scenery. The magnificent man-made structures along the historical railway lines are also impressive. The journey over viaducts and bridges, and past historic buildings and houses has fascinated travellers for generations.

Footplate rides on passenger trains

Rhaetian Railway trains have been winding their way through Graubünden for over 100 years. You have the exclusive opportunity to experience an excursion through the Swiss Alps in the driver’s cab of one of our trains and gain unique insights.

info

Note

Due to adjusted safety regulations in Italy, Footplate rides on the Bernina Line can only be offered to and dep. Campocologno until further notice.

The cost of your experience

Albula Line or Bernina Line

Prices

Adults

CHF 850.00

Adults with GA travelcard

CHF 800.00

Adolescents aged 12 and over

CHF 700.00

Included in the price:

  • Footplate ride for one person between Chur – St. Moritz on the Albula Line or St. Moritz – Tirano on the Bernina Line or vice versa

  • Accompanied by an experienced member of Rhaetian Railway staff

  • A Rhaetian Railway 1-day travelpass in 1st class for the outward or return journey of the person taking the footplate ride

  • A Rhaetian Railway 1-day travelpass in 1st class for the outward and return journey of an accompanying person not taking the footplate ride

  • Signal explanations

  • Commemorative certificate with personal photo

Footplate rides on freight trains

Footplate rides on a freight train take place on the Albula Line (train number 5135) and can be booked from Monday to Friday. BoBo II or BoBo III rolling stock is used, or alternatively an Allegra railcar (ABe 8/12).

The cost of your experience

Albula Line

Prices

Adults

CHF 900.00

Adults with GA travelcard

CHF 850.00

Adolescents aged 12 and over

CHF 750.00

Included in the price:

  • Footplate ride for 1 person between Landquart freight yard and Samedan

  • Accompanied by an experienced member of Rhaetian Railway staff

  • A Rhaetian Railway 1-day travelpass in 1st class for the outward or return journey of the person taking the footplate ride

  • A Rhaetian Railway 1-day travelpass in 1st class for the outward and return journey of an accompanying person not taking the footplate ride. The accompanying person travels to the Engadin on a passenger train, as it is not possible to travel on the freight train.

  • Signal explanations

  • Commemorative certificate with personal photo

Sales and advice

Tickets are sold through Ilanz railway station. Please contact Ilanz railway station at least seven days before your chosen date.

The general terms and conditions of carriage of Rhaetian Railway Inc. apply.

An RhB Railservice employee wearing a headset speaks kindly to a customer.

Advice and sales

Station Ilanz

Ilanz

ilanz@rhb.ch

+41 81 288 43 16

Monday – Friday: 6.40 am – 6.40 pm Saturday – Sunday: 8 am – 12 noon, 1 pm – 4.40 pm