Gracefully and aesthetically the tracks wind their way through the mountains and valleys of the UNESCO World Heritage landscape. With the designation of the “Rhaetian Railway in the Albula/Bernina Landscapes” as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2008, the historic railway facilities were officially recognised for their worldwide appeal. The Albula Line and the Bernina Line not only provide access to the Upper Engadin for international tourism but are themselves a monument to engineering masterpieces and a tourist experience.
The Albula Line
For over 120 years, the Albula Line has been more than just a railway connection between Thusis and St. Moritz. Along the UNESCO World Heritage route, the Albula Line brings cultures, people and nature together. Specialists in railway technology were called in for the construction and standards were applied that corresponded to the most advanced practices of mountain railway construction.
The Albula Line was originally built as a classic mountain railway for steam engines. Its route layout and structures made of local stone are among the finest examples of historic railway construction. Even today, they stand for technical innovation, impressive sights and a special travel experience.
With the construction of the new Albula Tunnel, RhB is ensuring that this progress continues – and that there is a strong connection between tradition and modernity in the future.
The Bernina Line
For over a century, the Bernina Line has been captivating passengers from all over the world. It travels through the beautiful Swiss countryside and, as an innovative adaptation of the electric cross-country railway, links the towns of St. Moritz and Tirano in a unique way.
Its global uniqueness makes it a special part of UNESCO World Heritage: the Bernina Line is the highest transalpine railway route and one of the steepest adhesion railways in the world. On board the Bernina Express, passengers can experience its unique character with all their senses: enjoy an impressive panorama, hear the rattling of the wheels, feel the Alpine air and experience one of mankind’s most innovative railway lines.
The man-made structures
Dizzying bridges, historic station buildings, sophisticated signal boxes and precisely constructed tunnels with their portals: the man-made structures along the UNESCO World Heritage route make the railway connection a perfect experience. The route, particularly on the Bernina Line, was chosen to blend harmoniously into the landscape of the Swiss Alps.
The Bernina and Albula Line combine technical precision with natural beauty. High-quality structures and buildings have been a testament to craftsmanship for over a century and present the uniqueness of the UNESCO World Heritage site to visitors from all over the world.
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