About two months ago I reported that, thanks to Hans Hug, we had organised two days of photo trains for the magazine Eisenbahn Kurier at short notice at Easter 1982. As promised, the second day of this readers’ trip now follows.
As the Appenzell railway was expecting a lot of traffic at Easter when the weather was fine, Hans Hug suggested that we switch to the SGA. For the participants, the programme started in St. Gallen. But the special train first had to be transferred from Gais to St. Gallen, which we organisers used for a private photo train. As the train was planned without stops, we had to complete the photo stops in less than a minute each, which we managed well thanks to our full commitment. It was enough for 10 stops. Unfortunately, it drizzled at times.
In St. Gallen, our ABDeh 4/4 4 railcar bypassed the entire train, resulting in a new formation for us in reverse order. It was also reinforced by a B. The timetable was now much more relaxed, which was urgently needed for the photo stops given the large number of participants.
We changed trains in Gais to travel to Altstätten and back. As a supplement, Hans Hug organised for the scheduled train to run with two trailer coaches so that we could swap the trailer load in Altstätten. In Gais, the two trailer wagons were attached to the photo train from the morning, so that a very long train with a number of two-axle vehicles travelled down to Appenzell.
In Appenzell, the Te 2/2 49 with the Bi 15 was then ready for the return journey to Herisau, which took place without a stop, as Hans Hug had to plan a big day’s work.
The SGA special transfer train with the ABDeh 4/4 4 + D2 162 + B 51 + B2 117 shortly after the start in Gais in the quaint section near Zweibrücken. Today the road is somewhat wider and the wooden masts with rusty arms have of course been replaced. April 11, 1986 Photo: Edi Meier, BülachThe ABDeh 4/4 4 + D2 162 + B 51 + B2 117 in Teufen with the tight curve right next to the main road Visible above the train: the church of Teufen. In the early morning the road was fortunately not very busy. April 11, 1986 Photo: Edi Meier, BülachOf course, the Riethüslikurve, now replaced by a tunnel, the narrowest cogwheel railway curve in the world with a radius of 30 metres and a gradient of 90 per thousand, was not to be missed. The B2 is now at the front and the train has been reinforced with a B at the rear. ABDeh 4/4 4 + B2 117 + B 51 + D2 162 + B 63. April 11, 1986 Photo: Edi Meier, BülachHeavy traffic in Teufen: The two scheduled trains crossed each other as planned and the extra train had to reverse onto the Stumpen track with two beautiful traditional houses in the background. It is interesting to note that the two new commuter trains ran without intermediate carriages in the early years. Also contemporary are the many people on the track between the trains. From left to right: BDeh 4/4 11 + ABt 111 , BDeh 4/4 14 + ABt 114 , ABDeh 4/4 4 + B2 117 + B4 51 + D2 162. April 11, 1986 Photo: Edi Meier, BülachEntering the rack section above Bühler with the striking change of gradient. ABDeh 4/4 4 + B2 117 + B 51 + D2 162 + B 63. April 11, 1986 Photo: Edi Meier, BülachArrival in Gais, where the next special train awaited us for the journey down to Altstätten-Stadt. The B2 118 stands to the left of the first special train with ABDeh 4/4 4 + B2 117 + B 51 + D2 162 + B 63 and the other special train with ABDeh 4/4 8 + B2 122 + B2 123. April 11, 1986 Photo: Edi Meier, BülachABDeh 4/4 8 + B2 122 + B2 123 in the adhesion section below the Alter Zoll stop. Note the old wooden masts with the telephone lines at two heights. Clearly visible: B2 121 – 123 had closed platforms. April 11, 1986 Photo: Edi Meier, BülachABDeh 4/4 8 + B2 122 + B2 123 now in the rack section at Kreuzstrasse. At this time, only these three railcars 6 – 8 were authorised for the steeper rack section down to Altstätten. April 11, 1986 Photo: Edi Meier, BülachAll the more surprising then in Altstätten Stadt: ABDeh 4/4 5 next to ABDeh 4/4 8 + B2 122 + B2 123. At that time, railcar 5 was stationed as a shunting railcar in Altstätten Stadt and naturally had to be transferred safely with a railcar 6 – 8. April 11, 1986 Photo: Edi Meier, BülachThe return journey with a modified train picture: ABDeh 4/4 8 + B2 126 + B2 124 with open platforms in the steep rack section just above Altstätten Stadt. The old town of Altstätten with its churches is clearly visible in the background. We’ll gladly return to the days when trains ran through the narrow alley… April 11, 1986 Photo: Edi Meier, BülachA rare sight: Train crossing at the old customs station. Motor coach ABDeh 4/4 7 as a scheduled train next to the special train with ABDeh 4/4 8 + B2 126 + B2 124. April 11, 1986 Photo: Edi Meier, BülachThe special train on the last ascent before the top of the pass on the Stoss with ABDeh 4/4 8 + B2 126 + B2 124. Behind the train, the view opens up into the wide Rhine valley and the Voralberg peaks. April 11, 1986 Photo: Edi Meier, BülachRare double traction, even if only between the depot and Gais station with the motor coaches of our ABDeh 4/4 8 and ABDeh 4/4 4 photo trains. April 11, 1986 Photo: Edi Meier, BülachIn Gais, however, not only were the two motor coaches of our special trains united for a short time, but the two special trains were also joined together, resulting in this impressive train: ABDeh 4/4 4 + B2 117 + B4 51 + D2 162 + B4 63 + B2 124 + B2 126 below the stop ‘Sammelplatz’ with beautiful traditional farmhouses in a typical scattered settlement. April 11, 1986 Photo: Edi Meier, BülachAt last an SGA train that half-fills the long bridge in Appenzell: ABDeh 4/4 4 + B2 117 + B4 51 + D2 162 + B4 63 + B2 124 + B2 126… April 11, 1986 Photo: Edi Meier, Bülach
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