When looking through the previous railway stories, I noticed that the largest narrow-gauge network in Switzerland, the Rhaetian Railway RhB, has never been given space. That absolutely must change!
In 1978, the three locomotives Ge 4/6 353 to 355 from the years of electrification were still in running order. While the two locomotives Ge 4/6 354 and 355 could occasionally make themselves useful on a Landquart – Thusis return train pair, the reserve locomotive Ge 4/6 353 was constantly hiding in the depot in Samedan.
We wanted to change this and begged locally for the Ge 4/6 353 to be assigned to the Engadine goods train instead of the scheduled Ge 6/6 I. We were heard! The only condition: it should be a Monday, because experience shows that there is less of a load then. A “minor repair” on the assigned Ge 6/6 I was reported to the control centre, which therefore had to remain in the depot. The Ge 4/6 353 took over its task.
The Ge 4/6 353 with the Bi 2244 + Gb 5015 + Gb 5085 + E 6625 + Rkp-w 8217, a nice short goods train in beautiful weather on the way near Madulain. August 21 1978, Photo: E. Meier, BülachThe Ge 4/6 353 with the same trailer load stops at the ramp track in Zuoz. The drive rods of the locomotive shine in the lower position in the light backlight. August 21 1978, Photo: E. Meier, BülachThe Ge 4/6 353 with the Bi 2244 and a short goods train, which is put together almost like a photo train: Ge 4/6 353 + B 2244 followed by two covered wagons (Gb 5015 + Gb 5085), then a semi-open one with an empty cable reel (E 6625) and finally a flat wagon (Rkp-w 8217) at Schanf, August 21 1978, Photo: E. Meier, BülachIn the meantime, the Ge 4/6 353 with the Bi 2244 has lost the last two freight wagons and only the two covered wagons (Gb 5015 + Gb 5085) are still on the hook, presumably transporting general cargo. Stop at Lavin on August 21 1978, Photo: E. Meier, BülachThe next longer stop is in Ardez. The old Engadine house is clearly recognisable. In the house, which had deep cracks in the façade, you could rent a Reka holiday flat at the time. Despite my wife’s initial reservations about safety, we were able to spend two exciting weeks there… August 21 1978, Photo: E. Meier, BülachThe Ge 4/6 353 with the Bi 2244 and goods wagons during the manoeuvre in La Punt. Freight wagons are also still on the main track… August 21 1978, Photo: E. Meier, BülachIn the meantime, the trailing load has grown so much that some vans had to be left standing because otherwise they would have been overloaded… The Ge 4/6 353 with the Bi 2244 and countless goods wagons in Bever. August 21 1978, Photo: E. Meier, BülachIn the most beautiful evening light and under the clouds that have since formed, the Ge 4/6 353 pulls its long train with the Bi 2244 and a wide variety of goods wagons from Bever towards the destination station of Samedan. Despite the fact that not all the wagons could be taken along, the operation proved successful and was subsequently repeated several times when there was a shortage of locomotives. August 21 1978, Photo: E. Meier, Bülach
For comments and additions to this railway history, please contact our Vice President Edi Meier. Thank you for your help.
