Glacier Express

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The Glacier Express in 1955 just outside Zermatt with the Matterhorn in the background (Archiv MGB, Brig/Klopfenstein) swissinfo.ch

The journey through the wild Kipfenschlucht gorge along the Mattervispa river is a memorable experience (Archiv MGB Brig/Klopfenstein) swissinfo.ch

A stop in Niederwald, canton Valais. The wooden houses and church spire reflect the local architectural style (Archiv MGB Brig/Gaberell) swissinfo.ch

Until 1956 there were three classes of carriage in Swiss trains. The Furka-Oberalp train only had first-class seating in the Glacier Express (Archiv MGB Brig/Gabarell) swissinfo.ch

The glacier which gave its name to the train: the Glacier Express passing the Rhone glacier as it climbs the Furka pass (Archiv MGB Brig/Klopfenstein) swissinfo.ch

The Furka pass stretch of track between Oberwald and Realp was only open for around four months of the year. Before it was reopened in June, the tracks had to be manually cleared of snow. Since the construction of the Furka base tunnel in 1980 the line has been open all year round (Archiv MGB Brig/Schneiter) swissinfo.ch

The Bruggwaldboden viaduct between Andermatt and Göschenen. In the foreground the Teufelsbrücke (Devil's Bridge) crosses the Schöllenen Gorge (Archiv MGB Brig/Klopfenstein) swissinfo.ch

In this photo from the early 1930s, a steam train carries skiers across the foot of the Oberalppass on the journey from Andermatt to Nätschen (Sammlung Hugo Hürlimann, Richterswil/Haemisegger) swissinfo.ch

To ensure the Oberalp stretch is passable in winter, a 731-metre-long avalanche barrier had to be constructed at the top of the pass (Archiv MGB Brig/Klopfenstein/Kettel) swissinfo.ch

Wrought iron rail and road bridges span the river at the confluence of the Upper and Lower Rhine at Reichenau-Tamins (Tibert Keller, Trin) swissinfo.ch

The 65-metre-high Landwasser viaduct is possibly the most famous bridge on the Glacier Express route (Archiv RhB Chur/Giegel) swissinfo.ch

The track twists and turns as it negotiates tunnels and bridges between Muot and Preda in the Albulatal valley (Archiv RhB Chur/Meerkämper) swissinfo.ch

St Moritz with its idyllic lake is the final station stop for the Glacier Express; a photograph from the pre-war period (Sammlung Peter Pfeiffer, Ennetturgi) swissinfo.ch

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A panoramic view of the Alps.

The train journey through the magnificent high mountain landscape between the Valais region and the Engadine valley enjoys enduring popularity. The Glacier Express is celebrating its 75th birthday in 2005. Historic photographs from the first half of the 20th century illustrate a book by Paul Caminada and Peter Pfeiffer documenting the period before panorama trains were introduced on the Zermatt to St Moritz line. “On the tracks of the Glacier Express” was published by the AS publishing house of Zurich.