In the mid-1980s, the decision was made to expand the BLS mountain route to double track. Railway photographers who wanted to capture the old single-track situation had to hurry.
The BLS southern ramp is built into a steep mountainside and climbs continuously from Brig to Goppenstein across the steep slope. It offers passengers a spectacular view of the ever-deepening valley floor of the Valais.
For photographers, there are several obstacles… The sun is on the valley side almost all day long. For beautifully lit photos, you have to stand on the valley side. But almost everywhere there are steep drops. Only in a few places are there small spots on the valley side where you can stand safely. With the double-track expansion and its additional retaining walls and some safety walls to separate the hiking trail, there are now significantly fewer photo spots, unless you use a drone…
In addition, these photo spots are usually far away from the train stops, which means longer walks in alpine terrain. Thanks to the hiking trail on the BLS south ramp, you can (and could) move more or less along the railway line, which we like to take advantage of. To reach the photo spots, you have to leave the trail at the right place and climb steeply down or up across the terrain.
One of the most famous photo spots is the Viktoriakopf, where the railway passes through a short tunnel in a prominent rock outcrop. This location offered several great photo positions in both directions and was therefore very popular, not only with me. You could stand below next to the railway line and capture the train as it crossed the tunnel, or you could climb up onto the rocky outcrop and enjoy a spectacular view of the railway line hugging the steep mountainside on one side and the Jolibach bridge on the other.
At that time, the BLS mountain line was firmly in the hands of the Re 4/4 161 to 195 universal locomotives. They hauled passenger trains stopping at all stations, heavy express trains, car trains and freight trains. Let’s start our little photo review with trains travelling downhill…
A typical short passenger train with the BLS Re 4/4 189, a two-axle luggage van and two passenger coaches, one AB and one B. The Re 4/4 189 and its train are coming from Goppenstein and will soon rush through the tunnel under the Viktoriakopf. May 11, 1982 Photo: Edi Meier, BülachOne of the highlights was always the IC 431 Bern–Venice express train with international carriages, which filled the long visible stretch along the slope. On 7 July 1984, the Re 4/4 168 and 161 jointly hauled the heavy train. The Re 4/4 161 was the first in the series to be equipped with cut-off control, but was later standardised with step switches and diode rectifiers. July 7, 1984 Photo: Edi Meier, BülachA few metres further down the valley, a passenger train with the Re 4/4 170 leaves the short tunnel through the Viktoriakopf. The rocky outcrop is clearly visible. This tunnel was already excavated for double tracks. Other tunnels on the BLS south ramp also started with a double-track portal, but after a few metres inside, only one track was cut out of the rock. For the expansion, this rock had to be removed while the neighbouring track was in operation. July 7, 1984 Photo: Edi Meier, BülachA few metres further towards Brig, the Viktoriakopf is only visible as a small rock behind the rear carriage. Hauled by Re 4/4 172, the short passenger train consists of a two-axle D2 luggage van, an AB (a converted ABi platform car, whose platforms have been closed and fitted with doors for comfort and safety reasons) and a B standard carriage. October 22, 1983 Photo: Edi Meier, BülachAlmost at the same spot, a not very busy car train with the Bt 912 control car at the front is travelling downhill. The driver’s cab is not air-conditioned, and the driver casually hangs his arm out of the open window to cool off. July 7, 1984 Photo: Edi Meier, BülachThe Re 4/4 177 is also assigned to a car train on 7 July 1984 and pulls it uphill. At the signal (approximately at the fourth car), you can see the small area where the photographer stood for the last shot.
This train is loaded with only a few cars. It was probably different in winter and in bad weather, but then hardly any photographers ventured to this spot… July 7, 1984 Photo: Edi Meier, BülachThe same spot with a short passenger train photographed from Viktoriakopf, now the photographer has ventured a little further out on the valley side. The Re 4/4 189 is followed by a standard B and an AB carriage plus a two-axle D2 luggage van. July 7, 1984 Photo: Edi Meier, BülachLong, heavy express trains like this one are naturally more impressive. The last carriage, a rather faded SBB lightweight steel carriage A from the 17-33 000 – 032 series, is still on the Jolibach bridge. This allows the Re 4/4 175 to demonstrate how much power it has!
On 2 February 1978, the Re 4/4 183 ran into an avalanche cone at the Jolibach bridge, derailed and plunged into the depths. The following almost brand-new SBB AB II standard carriage remained spectacularly suspended sideways. July 7, 1984 Photo: Edi Meier, BülachFinally, a photo of an express train travelling uphill, just passing through the short tunnel through the Viktoriakopf. The train is led by the Re 4/4 192, one of the last batch (190 – 195) equipped with a single-arm pantograph. October 22, 1983 Photo: Edi Meier, Bülach
Comments and additions to this railway history can be sent to EG at sgeg dot ch, or use the form to our Vice President Edi Meier. Thank you for your help.
