A Swiss railway company claimed the record for the world's longest passenger train over the weekend with a trip on one of the most spectacular tracks through the Alps. The Rhaetian Railway company ran the 1.2-mile-long train composed of 100 coaches along the Albula/Bernina route from Preda to Berguen. The route was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2008 and leads through 22 tunnels, some of which spiral through mountains, and across 48 bridges, including the curved Landwasser Viaduct, per the AP.
CNN Travel notes the challenges of the trip, which included "notoriously tight curves" and "steep gradients," as well as rails that are only about 3 feet apart; most Swiss and European railways use rails that are nearly 4 feet, 9 inches from each other. The entire journey took more than an hour. Rail enthusiasts lined the valley to watch the train's 25 sections wind their way about 15.5 miles through the Alps. Rhaetian Railway chief Renato Fasciati said the record attempt was intended to highlight some of Switzerland's engineering achievements and to celebrate 175 years of Swiss railways.
The International Railway Journal reports that the trip took eight months of preparation. "We are overjoyed to have achieved this world record," Fasciati said after Guinness World Records verified the feat. "Not only did we have a wonderful railway festival ... but we were able to present ourselves around the world as a fascinating and innovative mountain railway thanks to our dedicated partners, sponsors, and an incredibly dedicated team." (More passenger trains stories.)
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