The Gotthard railway

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The EWIV long-distance commuter train travels through the countryside on the Gotthard line. (Swiss Federal Railways) SBB

A Swiss Federal Railways train leaves the Gotthard Tunnel on the Gotthard line at Göschenen, in the central canton of Uri, on May 4, 2007. (Keystone) Keystone

A freight train on the Gotthard line between Bodio and Giornico, in the Italian-speaking part of Switzerland. It passes under the A2 Biaschina motorway viaduct. Image from 2003. (Keystone) Keystone

The Matterhorn Gotthardbahn, a narrow gauge railway, driving over the Teufelsbruecke, "Devil's bridge", in Schöllenenschlucht gorge in canton Uri. (Keystone) Keystone

An image of the Gotthard North from around 1970. (SBB Historic - Swiss Federal Railways Heritage Foundation) SBB Historic

A steam-powered snow blowing machine, operated by the Swiss Federal Railways, doing its work on the Gotthard line on March 21, 1967. (Keystone) Keystone

A fast train speeds over the Kerstelenbachbrücke bridge in 1953. (SBB Historic - Swiss Federal Railways Heritage Foundation) SBB Historic

Gotthard tunnel staff, 1951. (SBB Historic - Swiss Federal Railways Heritage Foundation) SBB Historic

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As these images show, the Gotthard Railway line has been a “workhorse” rail link, transporting passengers and freight since it opened in 1882.

The 206 kilometre-line, which starts in northern Switzerland and finishes in the Italian-speaking canton of Ticino, is famed for its twists and turns and is a great feat of engineering. It takes in varied landscapes, viaducts, tunnels and even runs over the “Devil’s Bridge”.

(Text: Isobel Leybold-Johnson, images: Keystone, Swiss Federal Railways and SBB Historic – Swiss Federal Railways Heritage Foundation)