Steam locomotives make railway enthusiasts beat faster. The Räthische Bahn is once again offering a number of special trips under steam through the Swiss high mountains this winter.

Just as it was around 130 years ago, right after it opened, the route network is several hundred kilometers long. Smoke and mirrors will lead the guests into the world of the steam age on three excursions in January and February 2022.

It's steaming and hissing at the train station in Samedan. On January 100, 30, the more than 2022-year-old steam locomotive will slowly start moving for the Engadine steam journey. It takes three hours to Scuol-Tarasp, with intermediate stops in S-chanf, Zernez and Ardez. After a break in Scuol-Tarasp, the return trip promises rail enthusiasts a double experience of the wintry natural scenery. The trips are return, one way or in the opposite direction. A bar and bistro car are available in the middle of the train.

For strength there is a Perron barley soup. A Belle époque coupé with six seats awaits you in 1st class. To greet the passengers, a welcome aperitif awaits, along with coffee and a fine Engadine cake. The Engadin steam train departs from Samedan at 9.59 a.m., the train reaches Scuol-Tarasp at 12.03 p.m. The departure back to Samedan starts at 13.45 p.m., the arrival in Samedan is at 16.54 p.m. Date: Sunday 30 January 2022.

With smoke and mirrors through the Rhine Valley

The Surselva panoramic trip in the historical carriages of the Rhaetian Railway starts in Landquart. The almost four-hour journey leads through the snow-covered Graubünden to Disentis, the first stop is in Chur. The steam locomotive crosses the Rhine Valley between the confluence of the Vorder- and Hinterrhein near Reichenau and Ilanz. The steepest part of the route then awaits, the locomotive is given new power with fresh water. On the return journey, the train interrupts the journey for intermediate stops in Sumvitg-Cumpadials and again in the Alpine town of Chur. Guests can enjoy the view of the mountains while sipping a cup of coffee or warm tea. Two rolling areas are available for this: the "Rätiastübli" bar and the "Filisurerstübli" dining room. The day trip can be done as a one-way trip or as a return trip. The departure takes place at 8.55 a.m. in Landquart and ends in Disentis at 12.39 p.m. The return trip starts there at 14.25:13 p.m. Date: Sunday, February 2022, XNUMX.

Discover the Engadin in a triangle

It's not for nothing that the journey through the Engadine with the "Heidi" steam locomotive is called the Engadine Steam Adventure Train. It promises guests an unforgettable experience and another excursion into the railway history of the Rhaetian Railway. On a triangular trip between Samedan, St. Moritz and Pontresina, the steam locomotive crosses the Engadine mountains, which also includes a detour to S-chanf. The historic locomotive travels the route three times a day. It has been powered by the latest technology with low-sulphur ecological heating oil since its restoration in 2015, which includes an electric preheating system. The guests make themselves comfortable in six seats in the Belle-époque-Coupé in 1st class for the panoramic trip. You can choose between Prosecco and orange juice with aperitifs or coffee and pastries. It starts in Samedan in the morning at 9.35 a.m., after stops in St. Moritz and Pontresina the excursion to S-chanf follows. The train is back in St. Moritz at 12.46 p.m., the afternoon journey starts there at 14.12 p.m., arriving in Samedan at 17.20 p.m. Dates: Sunday 16 January and Sunday 20 February 2022.