• The boiler has been extensively insulated with rock wool, clad in sheet metal and painted black. The contrast between the matt, heat-resistant paint of the firebox and the glossy black paint of the long boiler is striking. As requested by the project group, the original boiler plates also feature dents and bulges. These are valuable reminders of the 137-year history of Locomotive No. 1.
  
• The boiler and one of the two water tanks are now securely mounted on the frame. The two movable bronze side boiler supports had to be remade. These compensate for the boiler’s linear expansion caused by significant temperature fluctuations.
  
• The valve gear, which has been extensively repaired by volunteers from Club 1889, is mounted on the boiler.
• Particularly eye-catching in the driver’s cab on the driver’s side is the metallic-coloured control box with its lockable screw spindle for controlling the steam engine. This is used to set the direction of travel and the filling of the cylinders, and thus, not least, to control the speed.
  
• The copper pipes for the water feed and lubrication are currently being fitted to the boiler.
  

To the Inauguration of RHÆTIA

As there are sufficient seats available on the two railcars 30+34 (1911/1908), interested members of the public will also have the opportunity to take part in this extended Bernina journey in the two historic railcars and thus enjoy the panoramic railway line to the full.

Spring, early spring, early summer, windows that open, and the selection of snacks and drinks from Historic RhB Gastro ensure an eventful day.

To the itinerary and booking

The trips are offered by the Rhaetian Railway itself and, to a lesser extent, by Historic RhB associations. They are so varied because enthusiastic members of the associations are always involved in planning the services – almost daily, in fact – and are constantly developing new ideas. For this reason, membership of Club 1889 or the Rhätische Bahn Steam Enthusiasts Association is a personal investment in the living, breathing railway culture of Graubünden!

Application for membership of Club 1889

This ‘regular scheduled train’, on which all standard tickets are valid, will generally be pulled by the Ge 4/4 I 605, built in 1953. However, on the last weekend of the month, the Crocodile Ge 6/6 I 415 from 1929 will be in service.

Find out more about railway nostalgia in Graubünden at bahnoldtimer.com

The performance times for a total of four performances, each with 500 spectators, have therefore been finalised and are hereby announced in the first edition of the Prättigauer Nachrichten newspaper.

Ticket sales are ready to go and will start as soon as two more sponsors have confirmed their participation.

We plan to publish further milestones relating to the operetta on the railway line in future in the "Prättigauer Nachrichten", a newsletter in the style of the Bündner Post from 1896 (only in German).

To the Operetta on the railway track

On 6 February 2026, he visited Samedan together with translator Regina Bölsterli. More precisely, they visited the depot for historic vehicles. Patrick and Regina talked to former conductor Peter Florin, local historian Claudio Chiogna and his wife Käthi, and club president Fredy Pfister. It was a lively gathering in the dimly lit carriage shed, with plenty of laughter.

It is not yet known when the programme will be broadcast. The two editors then moved on to St. Moritz, Alp Grüm and, the following day, Poschiavo and Tirano

Translated with DeepL.com (free version)

All the new operetta melodies have been composed by Memmingen musician Otfried Richter and the lyrics completed by Zurich's Linuk Robertson. The Tschoo-Tschoo Singers from S-chanf, conducted by Jürg Keller, are already busy rehearsing the first songs.

The two organizing groups, the Engadin Barrel Organ Festival Association and the Club 1889, have created a poster and successfully launched the official promotion of this rather extraordinary inauguration for steam locomotive No. 1 RHÆTIA.

Over the coming weeks, the organisers, together with their hosts from the municipality of Schiers, will be finalising the performance venue at Schiers Railway Station. The main focus being on the performance tent and the associated infrastructure.

The performance times and ticketing will be announced in due course.

Sponsors for the ‘Operetta on the Tracks’ are very welcome, and the character of the sponsorship may be discussed.

To the Operetta

To the report

This is a good start to the new year for RHÆTIA!

Non-members are also welcome to join the trip!

Information/tickets

SRS has been closely involved in the restoration project for almost ten years, from the initial assessment of the boiler and firebox, to the work carried out at the North Norfolk Railway in Weybourne, the return of the boiler and the final work at HW.
Club president Fredy Pfister produced a short YouTube film about his visit to HW and the dinner. Watch the video.

We would like to take this opportunity to thank SRS for the excellent and interesting collaboration and for the insights into the boiler workshop in Weybourne.

This marks the end of an important era for the Rhaetian Railway Steam Enthusiasts Association. The association members took over ticket office operations from the Rhaetian Railway in 2004 and, with the support of the municipality of Bonaduz, were able to develop the station into a centre of excellence for commuter season tickets and nostalgia train tickets. Last year, the association's board sought a more sustainable, broader-based solution to ensure the future of the business. It found what it was looking for in its own umbrella organisation, Historic RhB, which in turn brought together seven associations and two foundations committed to preserving and maintaining the Grisons railway heritage.

The Rhaetian Railway Steam Enthusiasts Association, the Albula Bergün Railway Museum and Historic RhB are delighted that Bonaduz can continue to be developed into a ticket centre for schoolchildren, commuters and railway enthusiasts from all over the world, albeit with a change of sign but with the same content. For customers, nothing will change except for slightly modified opening hours – especially for those customers who still appreciate analogue counter service.

Further information about the station can be found here.

Contact by E-Mail

According to the project team, the ceiling elements are also complete and just need to be painted and installed. Lamps and fans have also been refurbished and are ready for installation. Only the electrical system and bar fittings are still missing.

Due to its design, it is also ideal for use as a freestanding object.

A takeover would have to take place by the end of the year. Negotiations regarding a transfer are best conducted directly with the fahrBAR team. Click here to go to the contact form page.

• Category 1: Historic RhB rolling stock in color
• Category 2: Historic RhB rolling stock in black and white
• Category 3: RhB daily operations
• Category 4: Ge 4/4 II locomotive type

The winning images and the names of the photographers can be found in the photo gallery.

The mayor of Samedan, Gian Peter Niggli, other representatives of the municipal council, and municipal employees were given a tour of the club workshop, the carriage shed with its treasured carriages, and the historic locomotives stored in the depot, including our steam locomotive No. 11 “Heidi.”

Catering manager and secretary Andy Jenny then served an extremely delicious aperitif in the newly restored Bucunada, which provided ample time for conversation. The municipal representatives were visibly surprised by the immense amount of work that the club's volunteers, led by Armin Brünnger (March 11, 1952 to July 25, 2024) and our carpenter Theo Hirschi, who was also present, have accomplished over the last 29 years. And the club's board members were delighted by their enthusiasm.

On Sunday, 26 October, the steam season at the Rhaetian Railway came to an end. It is clear that passengers really enjoy steam train journeys in the Engadin and Albula Valley in winter and autumn, which is hardly surprising given the colours and atmosphere of nature at this time of year.

The catering team at Historic RhB Gastro put in hundreds of hours of voluntary work and once again provided top-notch service for passengers, as always with glassware and a delicious selection of mostly local drinks and snacks, including the now legendary barley soup at the goods shed in Scuol-Tarasp. First class with champagne and coffee/cake is becoming increasingly popular, which is no surprise given the attentive service at your seat. As every year, the net proceeds will be credited to a Club 1889 restoration project. Our electronic booking and accounting system, introduced years ago, is extremely helpful for the corresponding accounts.

This year, the catering team even accompanied a Pullman train with our locomotive 182 from St. Moritz to Poschiavo twice. Catering manager Andy Jenny and our maître de cabine Irène Plüss personally pampered the guests at their seats on the fully booked trains. We hope that this offer can be repeated soon.

At this point, we would like to mention not only the members of Club 1889 and the Rhaetian Railway Steam Enthusiasts Association, who devote their free time to ensuring that guests enjoy a day of the finest Graubünden railway culture. The enthusiasm and passion of the RhB staff on the locomotives and the train attendants are also infectious.

Our barrel organ player Barbamax from S-chanf, who accompanied the steam trains, is becoming increasingly popular. He makes children's eyes light up at the stations and even encourages the little ones to play a lively tune themselves. The result is a steam excursion, a nostalgic first-class journey through Graubünden's railway culture. Fan mail from guests confirms that we are on the right track. Railway nostalgia requires heart and passion; it is not enough to simply run trains from A to B. I have been convinced of this for decades. In my opinion, RhB nostalgia trains without sparkling eyes among the RhB staff, the catering team and the guests are only half the battle.

As I published the Engadiner Dampfpost (a travel magazine) for all trains and accompanied each RhB train as an assistant tour guide alongside the respective train manager, I had the opportunity to engage in fascinating conversations with many passengers. I am always amazed at how well domestic and foreign guests, and often also presidents and members of other railway associations, know about our projects. I was particularly pleased to see how closely the ‘RHÆTIA’ project is being followed in the USA, Great Britain, the Netherlands, etc.

Here, I hope that in the coming year, enthusiasm for Graubünden's locomotive no. 1 will finally spread to the RhB's management, where the project has so far been viewed with considerable caution. This stands in stark contrast to the enthusiasm and meticulousness with which the craftsmen at the RhB main workshop and the employees of the North Norfolk Railway in Weybourne (GB) have set to work and continue to do so. Perhaps next year we will have the opportunity to welcome someone from the venerable administrative building in Chur aboard one of the RhB steam trains and engage in some pleasant, profound and productive conversations while travelling. Nostalgic trains are the best and most inspiring place for this and are perfect for our nationwide network.

A big thank you to the catering team at Historic RhB, the RhB staff and the passengers; let's look forward to the upcoming Grisons steam season together!

Fredy Pfister, President of Club 1889

We are currently working with the RhB management to set a new date. However, it must definitely be in the coming year.

Translated with DeepL.com (free version)

The RHÆTIA project group deeply regrets this decision – especially in view of the numerous sponsors and patrons, the funding foundations, the Graubünden monument preservation authorities, the great efforts made by the North Norfolk Railway to repair the boiler on schedule, and the project's great appeal beyond the country's borders – but must accept it. The capacity for ‘historic craftsmanship’ is limited in the main workshop of the Rhaetian Railway.

Nevertheless, planning for the grand opening event continues in the hope that it can take place next autumn. It is a great motivation for the project group to be able to hand over Graubünden's locomotive No. 1, which is owned 51% by the population of Graubünden, 43% by the rest of Switzerland, 1% by the municipalities and 5% by private individuals and companies, in pristine condition.

There are already concrete plans to run the locomotive not only in Prättigau and Davos as a Gründerzug shuttle between the station and Wolfgang, but also abroad at trade fairs and domestically on other narrow-gauge railways as an ambassador for Graubünden's railway heritage. The RHÆTIA project group has already received enquiries to this effect.

Translated with DeepL.com (free version)

To the workshop reports

The prize draw for the competition held especially for the market took place on Sunday at 3 p.m. The winners are as follows:

• 1st prize: Participation in the AGM with special train and lunch for 2 people
  Valerio Müller, Samedan
• 2nd prize: 1st class steam train ride in the Engadin for 2 poepleMario Felipe de Jesus Silva Fernandes, Samedan
• 3rd prize: CHF 30 voucher for Historic RhB Gastro
  Susann Hool, Bever

We congratulate the winners and thank all guests for visiting.

On Saturday, 18 October, we plan to take a ride on the steam train (with locomotive 11) from Samedan to Scuol, where we will enjoy a delicious barley soup on the platform. followed by a tour of the depot in Samedan with association president Fredy Pfister. The group will spend the night in the Samedan Nature Friends' hut and on Sunday they will go on a railway photo safari in the Upper Engadine, where locomotive 11 will also be back in action.
On Saturday, Gaudenz Domenig, president of the new RhB Railway Culture Foundation, will accompany the group – he is looking forward to answering lots of questions!

The inspection was successful, and the boiler is to be transported back to Landquart in October. This is a major milestone for our project.

A short video illustrates the warm, old-fashioned atmosphere before, during and after the inspection by British boiler inspector Andy Wright.

To the video

The volunteers at the Samedan depot only have a few minor details left to complete. We would like to express our sincere thanks to our ‘Golden Oldies’ for ensuring that we will soon be able to travel ‘bit by bit to the south’ in style again.

First, a static brake test was carried out in the workshop. This was followed by a dynamic brake test involving a shunting manoeuvre on the line between Samedan and Bever at 35 kilometres per hour and emergency braking.

Both the emergency braking with the lever brake and that with the vacuum brake resulted in a braking distance of around 30 metres, which is a normal value. The official test report will be issued shortly.

This meant that tractor 62 was officially on the road as a historic vehicle for the first time.

Our club member and barrel organ player Max Kessler will be providing acoustic accompaniment on both days.

We are holding a competition: the prizes offer a taste of Graubünden's railway culture. Participation is only possible on site (ballot box for entry forms with draw on Sunday at 3 p.m.).

On Sunday, we will be selling lots of postcards from across the RhB network, and two board members will be on hand to provide information about Club 1889.

We look forward to seeing you there. Incidentally, the autumn market is a 40-year-old institution in Samedan with lots of stalls from local businesses.

In our honor, the two of them attached our project group banner to the boiler. Many thanks and congratulations!

About the hydraulic test

It is impressive how much thought has gone into almost every component in order to refurbish it professionally or replace it in line with current standards or safety requirements. It is clear that not everything was done correctly from the outset and had to be improved later.

Here are a few highlights:

• The chassis is fully axled, which means that the axle bearings and springs are also complete, and there is not much left to do on the two cylinders.
• The two new drive axles and the new running axle with axle cranks are impressive. This wheel set was already discussed in an earlier report. The craftsman found out that the axles and axle cranks had to be replaced with those from other locomotives or from a spare parts warehouse during the RhB's period of operation. He even adapted the traditional 1889 numbering stamped into the new components.
• The narrow axle cranks from 1889 that were still present had to be replaced based on a model from 1904 and in accordance with the standards of that time.
  All axles were fitted with new bandages, which fortunately were still available at the HW warehouse.
• The driver's cab is finished but is still stored next to the frame.
• The inner and outer plates of the coal boxes had to be completely replaced, as coal sulphur and rainwater had severely corroded them. The two coal boxes are mounted on the chassis.
• Three-point boiler support on the chassis: The large cast-iron boiler support at the front was rusted through and welded in places and had to be heavily reworked. The two rear bronze supports were slightly optimised to better compensate for boiler deformation caused by the hot water.
• The water tanks were sandblasted inside and out, primed and painted black. For safety reasons, the second water tank was also equipped with a one-man shaft for this work, which will certainly be useful later on during maintenance.
• The ash pan under the firebox has been completely rebuilt. The same longitudinal grates as those used for locomotives 107 and 108 can now be used, and the air flow into the firebox during travel has been optimised.
• The steam generator for the locomotive power, which was installed at the Blonay–Chamby museum railway, is once again operational. This comes from the Deutsche Reichsbahn from the 42/43 locomotive series from 1942–1949.

HW expects that when the boiler returns from the North Norfolk Railway in Weybourne (GB) to HW in mid-September, the locomotive will be ready for operation in spring 2026. Unless unexpected problems arise.

To all depot reports for ‘RHÆTIA’

The British believe that, after 70 years, it is one of the very few boilers in Europe that has been so elaborately repaired and riveted. The new hand-forged copper firebox, the extensive repair work on the standing and long boiler, the many anchors that held the firebox at a distance from the boiler – despite meticulous planning, all of this ended up being more complex than planned. It is important to note that they worked according to the original plans of the Swiss Locomotive and Machine Works in Winterthur from 1888. And, as we all know, plans don't always work out as intended.

The worst thing you can do to a boiler

The boiler is now ready, and extensive testing began at the start of August. Following a simple leak test, the boiler is currently being heated up every day. This will be followed by a ‘cold’ hydraulic test.

Mike Ellis, owner of Swiss Railway Services (which coordinates and supervises the work in the United Kingdom), writes:

The ‘cold’ hydraulic test is actually the worst thing you can do to a boiler. However, it is essential and must be documented by the British boiler inspector. Once the hot/cold cycles are complete and all water leaks have been plugged, the experts can bring the boiler up to 100 °C without pressure.

The steam dome is then closed and a calibrated pressure gauge is attached. The boiler is filled completely with water and a water pump is connected. The pump increases the pressure in the boiler to 1.5 times the operating pressure. Any leaks must be sealed and the process repeated. Once the boiler is leak-proof, the pressure must be maintained for 30 minutes. If this is successful, the hydraulic test is complete. This test is a real challenge for a boiler that is designed to operate under these conditions at an operating pressure of around 12 bar.

As an early picture of the Effretikon post office shows, these wheelbarrows date back to the early days of the postal service. It was the period from 1848 onwards when the Swiss Post had two tasks: on the one hand, to deliver postal items weighing up to 5 kg and, on the other hand, to transport people.

But this type of wheelbarrow was also used at Dübendorf Airport until the end of the Second World War, as a picture taken between 1938 and 1945 shows.

With the historic military field kitchen from 1913 on our M 7070, Club 1889 can now commemorate the triad that supported the state at that time.

It passed its first test, which involved filling the boiler with water. Now it is being gently heated for the first time so that the heart of the boiler, the new copper firebox, including the anchors and the first plates of the boiler, can align themselves. We are excited to see the results. After that, if all goes well, the actual boiler pressure test will be carried out soon.

Translated with DeepL.com (free version)

Text: Christoph Benz, editor of ‘Die Bündner Kulturbahn’

It was a dramatic scene for the 16 passengers and the conductor after they were able to climb out of the derailed train and save themselves on the road running parallel to the railway line: The locomotive - a Ge 4/4 II with the number 619 and the Samedan coat of arms - was completely submerged in the raging waters of the Landquart, the baggage wagon behind the locomotive was virtually suspended in the air and threatened to tip into the river just like the first two passenger carriages. Only the rearmost carriage still had all its wheels on the rails.

What happened: After exceptionally heavy snowfall and huge avalanches caused chaos on Graubünden's roads and railways in April 1975, the snowmelt lasted well into the summer; streams and rivers carried above-average amounts of water. When a heavy storm front moved over the Praettigau on the day of the accident, the Landquart swelled dangerously. As a large section of the line between Fideris and Küblis runs right next to the river, the line attendant checking the tracks on foot and the passing train drivers paid particular attention to any damage on that day, but apart from the alarmingly high brown-grey flood, they were unable to detect anything unusual.

No chance for the train driver

The last train of the day – express train 95 from Landquart to Davos – was travelling on this route around twelve minutes late, according to a report from the Graubünden public prosecutor's office. "The train reached railway kilometre 19.7 at the permitted speed of 45 km/h when the track suddenly gave way under the heavy locomotive and it tipped over onto its left side into the rising Landquart and immediately disappeared into the floods. [...] As the locomotive driver was unable to see the danger in the dark, rainy night, he was unable to initiate a braking manoeuvre and get to safety. He died in the locomotive." A young, dedicated railwayman and father of two is suddenly torn from life shortly after his 34th birthday.

The accident happened so quickly and unexpectedly that he had no chance of saving himself. Although a train driver on a mountain railway like the RhB has to be prepared for a wide variety of situations, such as stones lying on the track or a snow slide blocking the rails, nobody really expects the ground to suddenly break away from under the wheels. ‘In view of the torrential masses of water, it can also be assumed that even if the train driver had somehow managed to leave the engine, he would probably have been swept away by the Landquart and most likely perished,’ said the public prosecutor. It was not until three days after the accident that police divers were able to recover the body from the engine room of the ‘Samedan’. Luckily for the other people involved, the conductor and five passengers only suffered minor injuries, ‘while the remaining eleven passengers escaped with a scare’. They had enough time to leave the train composition, which had become badly tilted, before the carriages also sank deeper and deeper into the floods due to the ongoing erosion of the floodwater.

An invisible danger

The investigation initiated by the public prosecutor's office in Graubünden revealed that a flood had already washed out the railway line and road at the site of the accident in 1910, whereupon a new, reinforced weir with massive boulders was built. So far so good, but: ‘A corrected river has a tendency to dig into the depths of its bed’. And that was the real cause of the accident. "This made it possible for the block front to be washed away. [...]

As a result, the water also attacked the embankment behind the railway embankment from below and washed away the material. When the cavity under the railway embankment was large enough, it collapsed." A process that was not visible from the outside, especially as the water is far too cloudy during the snowmelt to recognise any damage in the riverbed anyway. According to the public prosecutor's office, it could therefore well be ‘that the track still appeared intact from the outside immediately before the accident and gave no cause for suspicion’ until the cavity collapsed under the weight of the 50-tonne locomotive. ‘The accident can therefore be attributed to force majeure, for which no one can be held responsible.’

RhB in the crossfire of the media

So while the public prosecutor's office closed the investigation, RhB had to put up with a number of accusations in the local newspapers - some justified, some absurd. "Is it necessary to blindly drive into a natural disaster at the prescribed speed? We need to learn to drive sensibly again, not just according to the timetable," one letter to the editor said, for example. Another letter criticised the fact that the locomotives' lighting was far too weak and that this accident would certainly not have happened if the locomotives had been fitted with movable headlights, which would enable the drivers to keep an eye out for obstacles on the track while travelling at night. Another letter to the editor was convinced that this accident could have been avoided if the accident site had been monitored around the clock by a track marshal ‘in order to be able to detect any undercutting’. The Rhaetian Railway was also confronted with the question of why the line in Praettigau had not simply been closed when there was so much flooding.

In a statement, the then RhB Director Otto Wieland wrote that in view of the unpredictability of such events, it was impossible to completely monitor all lines that were in any way at risk. "The question of suspending operations is just as tricky as long as there is no visible threat to the railway facilities. If we were to shut down operations for every event that could jeopardise the railway facilities, large sections of the network would have to be shut down for days at a time in the event of thunderstorms, heavy snowfall or during the thawing period in spring in rockfall areas. This kind of behaviour would earn the railway a reputation for excessive unreliability and cause it extraordinary damage without doing it any significant good." In addition, the Wuhrmauer at the site of the accident, which had been reinforced in 1910, had withstood several floods, which is why this route ‘was considered safe according to human judgement’.

‘A daredevil ride through the Praettigau’

A commentary entitled ‘A daredevil ride thourgh the Praettigau’, published in the Bündner Zeitung (BZ) at the time, made particularly big waves, arguing that the RhB should first properly protect its lines from natural hazards before continuing to dream of the Vereina Tunnel - a project that had first been put on the agenda shortly before the accident. ‘What's the point of a connection from Praettigau to the Lower Engadine while the feeder line at Fideris plunges into the Landquart?’ The editor who wrote the commentary railed that these were the wrong expansion priorities, even ‘monuments to translated dream projects’ at the expense of safety.

As can be seen from the files on the Fideris case filed in the RhB archives, the railway managers showed understanding for the many questions, the accusations and the emotions running high in the media, but this frontal attack in the BZ was too much. ‘Reading the BZ made my skin crawl,’ said one member of the management in a note to Director Wieland, who - after ‘deliberately waiting a while’ to ‘gain distance and calm’ - demanded a counterstatement.

"The headline “A daredevil ride thourgh the Praettigau” gives the impression that the railway is so exposed to natural hazards that passengers risk death on every journey. As if every train would fall into the Landquart at Fideris - an enormous exaggeration. Since the first railway line was opened in Praettigau in 1889, nine passengers have fallen victim to the forces of nature on the entire RhB network only once, namely in 1917, when the Drusatschal avalanche buried a train at Lake Davos," wrote Wieland. And he explained that the RhB has always invested millions of francs in securing the railway lines, whereby the question of proportionality always arises. "Experience has shown once again that there is no such thing as absolute safety on a mountain railway. The railway facilities could certainly be made even safer with a great deal of money, but the result should be in reasonable proportion to the effort involved in view of the very rare events on the Rhaetian Railway, such as that of 18 July 1975."

Wieland described the editor's accusation that the funds for the planned Vereina Tunnel should be used to better protect the railway against the forces of nature as ‘downright grotesque’. ‘Neither will possible and necessary protective structures not be built because the necessary funds will be used to build the tunnel into the Lower Engadine, nor can funds that might be freed up for the tunnel be used for protective structures along the existing railway if the tunnel is not built.’

Even though the tragic accident of 18 July 1975 was also used to stir up public opinion against the Vereina project, first the Grand Council of the Canton of Graubünden in 1984 and then in 1985 - ten years after the accident near Fideris - the people of Graubünden also voted clearly in favour of the Vereina tunnel. As is so often the case, the dust quickly settled after the media mud-slinging.

Incidentally, after the ‘Samedan’ was rescued from the water at great expense, it was shipped to the Swiss Locomotive and Machine Works - the company that manufactured the locomotive - in Winterthur, where it was rebuilt using the parts that were still usable. And just one week after the fatal washout, the washed-out track was repaired to such an extent that the RhB was able to resume scheduled services between Fideris and Küblis.

With the kind permission of Kuoni Transport AG, we will set up our two bistro carriages “La Bucunada” and “Filisurer-Stübli” together with our tractor 62 on the industrial track near the market. The “La Bucunada” is for refreshments, while the “Filisurer-Stübli” offers information about our club.

Autumn market Samedan 2024 - The Cho d'Punt trade exhibition

We look forward to welcoming Samedrins and guests!

Volunteers who would like to provide information to interested parties and/or strengthen the service team can contact us by e-mail.

As a first appetiser:
Picture 1: The copper firebox in the repaired upright boiler, seen from the long boiler (boiler is upside down)
Picture 2: The equipment for the boiler pressure test is being assembled.
Image 3: Plate with drill holes for the forthcoming pipework (boiler tilted at 45°)

To the workshop reports
Film from Weybourne 2024

This completed the last major building block in the restoration of this beautiful catering carriage for the Bernina Railway. If everything goes smoothly, it should be possible to carry out a test run this year and the carriage should be ready for use again next year.

Translated with DeepL.com (free version)

Club 1889 and its youth group Bündner Kulturbahn-Jugend have been members of the JASB since spring 2025.

To the JASB website

To the National Day of the JASB

The project was to be presented at the 1889 Club's 2025 general meeting on the basis of a quotation for the restoration and a vote was to be taken on whether it should be financed by the club. However, to the great surprise and delight of the club's board of directors, HW announced shortly before the annual report and agenda for the general meeting went to press that RhB would like to completely refurbish this carriage itself. Work on the bogies has already begun and it should be available for the Davos-Filisur nostalgia train in May 2026.

Due to the extensive refit, the interior will no longer be completely true to the original, but the HW employees are working with the vehicle historians from Club 1889 to find creative solutions to recreate the 1960s feeling.

This pleasing decision means that the club's board can now dream of another project that has fallen somewhat by the wayside in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic.

It was exciting to note that the BMA shareholders had held their meeting beforehand, which meant that the marquee on the museum forecourt was very well filled.

The BMA's catering staff swiftly served a delicious three-course lunch menu, despite the somewhat cramped conditions in the event room on the museum's top floor.

Greetings from Gaudenz Domenig

The President of the RhB Railway Culture Foundation, founded in January 2025, Gaudenz Domenig, addressed a few words to the club members at the start of the Annual General Meeting. Among other things, he explained his motivation for taking on this role and outlined how he - also as a club member - envisages future collaboration.

Tribute to Armin Brüngger

Based on his curriculum vitae, club president Fredy Pfister paid tribute to the work of club founder Armin Brüngger, who passed away last year. He bequeathed around 18 historic locomotives and carriages to the Rhaetian Railway and thus to the canton of Graubünden, for the preservation, restoration and maintenance of which he was solely or significantly responsible - together with his loyal team of volunteers (formerly also from Chur and Poschiavo). His partner Margrit Gwerder will receive a free lifetime membership of the club from Armin in recognition of her many years of support.

Fredy Pfister has written an article in the association section of the Historic-RhB magazine ‘Die Bündner Kulturbahn’ 2025 in honour of Armin Brüngger.

Reorganisation of Club 1889

Vice President Marcel Fischer showed the General Meeting how the Board of Directors intends to tackle major restoration projects in the future. With the loss of Armin Brüngger, it will no longer be possible to mobilise as much manpower at the Samedan depot as before. However, the Lake Lucerne Steamboat Friends Association, which has always awarded contracts to third parties and is primarily involved in fundraising, serves as a good role model for the future. This means that membership of Club 1889 and the associated income from annual subscriptions will become even more important.

Status of the ‘RHÆTIA’ restoration project

currently progressing pretty much according to plan. In the RhB main workshop in Landquart (HW), the individual parts of the frame, the (new) axles, the cylinders, the linkage and the driver's cab have been refurbished and are being reassembled. There are currently some delays in completing the boiler and firebox in England, but RhB expects the boiler to be transported to Landquart in mid-September 2025. HW therefore still considers the commissioning of the locomotive in spring 2026 to be realistic. The club president plans to provide a comprehensive report on the restoration work in the near future.

Inauguration of the ‘RHÆTIA’ next year

Fredy Pfister freute sich, die Planungen um die feierliche Einweihung der Dampflok «RHÆTIA» im Mai 2026 vorstellen zu dürfen. Zusammen mit dem Verein Drehorgelfestival Engadin, dem Komponisten Otfried Richter und dem Samedner Schauspieler Lorenzo Polin soll unter Mitwirkung eines Chor eine Art Musical im Infrastruktursützpunkt der Rhätischen Bahn in Landquart aufgeführt werden. Als Kulisse dient natürlich die «RHÆTIA» selber sowie unser C.32 von 1889 und der historische Gepäckwagen F.4.

‘The Graubünden cultural railway’ and the Landwasserwelt

Im Anschluss an die Generalversammlung konnten die Mitglieder eigenständig nach Filisur reisen und an der Präsentation des Magazins «Die Bündner Kulturbahn» teilnehmen und die Festivitäten am Bahnhof von Filisur geniessen. Die Rückreise war ab Bergün und Filisur mit den gleichen Zügen wie bei der Hinreise nach Samedan und Chur möglich.

Thanks to the GV sponsors and helpers

The following institutions, banks and individuals ensured the successful organisation of the 2025 Annual General Meeting:

• Banca Raiffeisen Engiadina Val Müstair (dessert)
• Railway Museum Albula Bergün (aperitif, event location)
• Blasmusik der Rhätischen Bahn
• Historic RhB Gastro (with Stefan Wyss and Roman Probst and their helpers)
• Die Bündner Kulturbahn-Jugend

To the photo gallery

The nostalgic classic ‘Fliegende Rhätier’ set off from Samedan at 09:25 and travelled through the colourful Val Bever in early summer. In technical jargon, this railcar is known as ABe 4/4 501.First in service in 1939, it was the counterpart to the Red Arrow of the Swiss Federal Railways.It got its name from its lightweight design, which made it faster than all the others.So it was full speed ahead through the new Albula Tunnel.At Preda we reached the Albula Valley, which was at its best thanks to the beautiful weather.The promised photo stops did not fail to materialise.The first stop was in Muot, where the train was photographed for the first time by the railway-savvy guests.

The journey then took us to the railway village of Bergün, during which we were of course served coffee and croissants.There was another opportunity to get on the train.The next opportunity was in Filisur, where the train left the Albula line and continued in the direction of the Zügen Gorge.Passing the hipp'schen turning disc and the Wiesner Viaduct, we reached Davos Wiesen station.The crossing with the historic train, which runs daily between Davos and Filisur, made for a great photo opportunity - a crossing that could have happened in the 1980s.The railway enthusiasts were thrilled!The break offered an ideal opportunity to be spoilt with a second ‘Zmorge’ by the staff of the Zügenbeizli.After the second crossing with the train, we continued our journey towards Bergün with a slight delay.In Bergün, the generous lunch break gave us the opportunity to enjoy a delicious meal on the terrace of the Albula railway museum. The menu was varied with fresh salads, RhB-red burgers and a delicious menu of the day.

After the lunch break, more passengers spontaneously boarded the train and travelled via Filisur to Surava, of course still enjoying the excellent catering provided by our helpers on the train.
Once we arrived in Surava, we were able to enjoy the summer atmosphere to the full.Some travellers took the opportunity to take photos of the light steel railcar, while others toasted the start of summer.On the subsequent return journey, a break had to be taken in Filisur for operational reasons.Enough time to get a delicious ice cream at the Filisur station buffet.Here, too, it's hard to decide.Whether forest berry flavour or honey ice cream, everyone will find a suitable refreshment here.On a hot summer's day like today, the delicious ice creams are definitely worth it.The train then travelled back to Samedan via Bergün, where the journey unfortunately came to an end.

If you're a railway enthusiast, it's worth taking a ride, as there are several opportunities to photograph the ‘Flying Rhaetian’. But everyone else is also welcome to enjoy this ride. If operations and safety permit, those interested can also request a photo stop. And if you weren't there this time, we would of course be delighted to welcome you on one of the trips.

Photos and text: Silas Boltshauser and Manuel Blumenthal

Spots from the contents:
In the 2025 issue - again featuring many previously unpublished historical images - there is a lot to read about the RhB's 700 locomotive series, including a brief outlook on the future of this striking machine. The article was prompted by the 60th anniversary of the commissioning of the first locomotive in this series. A pictorial journey from the 1960s offers new insights into the green and cream Chur-Arosa Railway and a charming portrait of former train driver Peter Florin also invites a smile. The Historic RhB clubs have never had so much to report on as in the past year. In his foreword, Gaudenz F. Domenig (known as President of HCD Davos), the first President of the RhB Railway Culture Foundation, explains how he came to be involved in railway culture and what his vision for it is.

The invitation with the printed annual report will be sent by post shortly. The annual report is available for download on the intranet.

Register here!

The train set off for Prättigau shortly before 10 o'clock. The guests in first class were served a cupli. Coffee and other drinks were available for all passengers in the bar car and in the Filisurer Stübli. Another special treat was the small nut cake, which could be bought as a small gift for the mothers. The culinary delights were not the only treat on offer: the journey continued in fine weather to the first stopover in Fideris, where the train could be photographed from the outside. Both young and old made good use of this opportunity. The train then set off again and, warmed by the sun, we travelled towards Klosters Platz, where we had a second break of just under half an hour.

After Klosters, the gradient of the track became steeper, which was noticeable: the 119-year-old lady had a little trouble at times, but was ultimately able to master the gradient well. The train reached its interim destination, Davos railway station, through the green forest at around midday. 

After arriving in Davos, both our passengers and the helpers had time to eat and drink.

This was followed by the almost obligatory point on a steam train journey, the mock entrance to Davos railway station. This allowed those present with an affinity for the railway to pursue their interests and take a film or picture as a souvenir.
The train set off again at 15:04, but now in the opposite direction. The journey home to Landquart was imminent. The downhill journey was now brisk, unlike in the morning, the locomotive only had to brake the train. After a short stopover in Cavadürli and Küblis, the train almost arrived in Landquart. And nobody had to die of thirst or starve until the end, as the service worked tirelessly until the very end. On arrival in Landquart, everyone was delighted with the sunny day, which whetted the appetite for more extra rides in the warmth of the summer that was soon to arrive.
Many thanks to all the helpers on the train and all the passengers for visiting us.

Photos and text: Pascal Good and Manuel Blumenthal

The aim of the foundation is to protect the railway heritage of the RhB and the UNESCO World Heritage Site RhB in the long term and make it a tangible experience. All aspects of the railway's cultural heritage are to be safeguarded, maintained and valorised for the benefit and experience of locals and visitors. The railway cultural heritage includes, in particular, architectural monuments in the areas of structural and civil engineering, historic rolling stock, archives, collections and intangible assets. The Foundation may include selected items of railway heritage in its endowment or support and promote the protection and valorisation of cultural assets of railway heritage belonging to third parties. The Foundation has an exclusively and directly charitable purpose and does not seek to make a profit. The foundation is politically and denominationally neutral.

The Board of Trustees is made up as follows:

• Gaudenz Domenig from Herrliberg (President)
• Roman Cathomas from Bad Ragaz (Managing Director)
• Markus Giger from Thurnen
• Renya Heinrich from Klosters
• Ivo Hutter from Trimmis

Foundation President Gaudenz Domenig is currently meeting with all stakeholders of Bünder Bahnkultur to determine where the new RhB Railway Culture Foundation can best contribute to the network of associations and foundations. On 1 May 2025, he therefore also met representatives of the Club 1889 board at the Samedan depot, where he studied the club workshop and the many historic RhB and Club 1889 vehicles in the depot itself and in the garage in detail. This was followed by several hours of intensive discussion about what our club has achieved so far and also about the planned projects, which should fit perfectly into the rolling heritage.

The board members were impressed by how knowledgeable and committed Gaudenz Domenig, known to the public primarily as President of the Davos Hockey Club and as Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Burkhalter Group, presented himself. Over the past few weeks, he has met with many representatives of the Rhaetian Railway, the heritage authorities, the State Archives, the Albula Railway Museum and many club presidents. He can therefore already be described as a well-informed ‘insider’. According to his own statement, it is important to him to be able to do something good for Graubünden in his retirement age out of gratitude. This statement was also credible because he was impressed and thanked our club carpenter Theo Hirschi for his enormous commitment since 1996. Something we have never experienced before.

Following this discussion, the representatives of Club 1889 are therefore looking forward to a fruitful collaboration with the new RhB Foundation. Gaudenz Domenig has set a promising course. It was a good idea on the part of RhB Director Renato Fasciati to ask an experienced leader from the business world and from outside the railway administration to chair the foundation. This broadens the horizon, opens up new perspectives and enables good connections to potential donors.

Gaudenz Domenig will briefly introduce himself to our club members before the start of our Annual General Meeting on 14 June.

Important key points:

• The Annual General Meeting will take place in the event location of the Albula Railway Museum in Bergün.
• RhB music will accompany us in Bergün before and after lunch!
• The Board of Directors will present the new direction of the association and the latest major restoration project
• It is possible to travel by special train with the 501 railcar from Chur at around 10 a.m. or with our founder's train from Samedan.
• After the General Assembly, there will be an opportunity to take part in the festivities to mark the opening of Landwasserwelt in Filisur.

We look forward to welcoming many participants. And don't forget: As always, a partner (not a club member) may come along.

The Board of Club 1889

Work is also progressing rapidly on the axle benches made from historical axles for the Albula Railway Museum in Bergün. A great deal of hard work is being done.

Last year, a delegation from the BKJ took part in the national day on the Rigi in August. This year, the day will take place again and we from the BKJ will certainly be there again. This year's day will take place on 23 August.
Would you also like to join the JASB? Then become an active member now and benefit from exclusive advantages.

More information and registration: jeunes-acteurs-rail-suisse.ch

After the Rhaetian Railway had the 1948 D 4205 greened up last autumn, Historic RhB Gastro took the opportunity to equip this luggage coach, which can travel at more than 60 km/h, with this bar. Hans Peter Pitschi completely refurbished the wooden part and now it can be used again on special trains. Thank you very much!

The Engadin, a valley that has been popular with tourists for centuries. After the opening of the Albula line, people preferred to travel on holiday by train. Even if most of the passengers on this extra journey were not going on holiday, the atmosphere could at least be described as such. Those who weren't taking photos chatted to other passengers or enjoyed the journey with a slice of Engadine nut cake. And before you had really got used to the journey, the steam train arrived at Scuol-Tarasp station. Linard Marugg was already waiting there with a delicious barley soup for the hungry travellers. There was even a bottleneck because the soup was so popular. But after just a few minutes, the soup was replenished. The sounds of Max Kessler's barrel organ provided a fitting musical backdrop. After the meal, guests had the opportunity to take a close look at the ‘Engiadina’ steam locomotive. It was the ideal opportunity to have the engine driver explain the mechanics of the steam locomotive in person. After all, it's not every day that you get the chance to marvel at a steam locomotive like this.

Strengthened, the journey continued back to Samedan. There was a longer stop in Zernez so that the steam locomotive could be refuelled with water. After this stop, the journey finally continued to S-chanf, where another photo stop awaited us. The steam train then travelled to Samedan, where the journey ended. We are already looking forward to accompanying another Engadin steam train ride in autumn.

Shortly after the trip, pictures emerged showing the legendary barrel organ player Barbamax from S-chanf as well as a DFB track attendant, a young family from Andermatt and a tourist with a straw hat that is presumably free of all colour in front of a steam train. Now seriously: The pictures were taken with a historical plate camera from 1900 analogue on photographic paper on 23 March 2025, in Photoshop positive and mirror-inverted somehow have their own charm. Unfortunately, the sharpness cannot be adjusted any better.

Translated with DeepL.com (free version)

About the Heidi film

The RhB, in turn, also commissioned a film about our steam locomotive Heidi in its much-noticed blog, which was also a success. Vice President and locomotive chairman Marcel Fischer has his say.

To the RhB blog

The second mission was organised by Catering Manager Andy on 8 February 2025 on the Bernina: on a special train organised by the RhB itself from St. Moritz to Poschiavo with our locomotive 182 and two Pullman carriages, an aperitif could be ordered via the RhB homepage, as well as coffee and cake for the return journey. Other hot and cold drinks were also served during the journey. A first-class journey at a high level, in which Andy himself and our professional catering assistant Irène Plüss excelled, fulfilling the guests' every wish in a very tight space.

To the catering page

The trip last Saturday had its start in bright sunshine at Landquart. From there the train went across Prättigau in the morning sun towards Klosters. Right at the beginning of the trip our guests were served with coffee and pastry – a good start in the morning. Close to Klosters the first highlight of many of this day happened: a photo stop for all guests who were keen on taking pictures of the train. Subsequently the journey went on to Davos Platz with next photo stop at Davos Wolfgang, from where we crossed through the wild and romantic Zügenschlucht to Filisur, reaching the spectacular Albula line. However, before we started the spectacular part of Albula we enjoyed a 3-course menue at Rail Museum Albula in Bergün. For those who finished their lunch quickly there was even a chance for a short visit to the Museum. After lunch we left Bergün. Our target: Pontresina in Engadin.

Now we entered the most exciting part of the Albula line – for climbing up to the necessary altitude the line has to change the valley side four times! Following this one can have a view into all directions of the Albula valley, without having to change the seating position.

Pontresina was hardly reached, another highlight was presented: A guided tour at Depot Pontresina of former Bernina Rail. Be it the Bernina crocodile, the covered freight car from the change of the century, the elegant ABe4/4 II 46 of the 1960ies to the Rotary steam snow blower – the visitors were presented plenty of technically interesting and culturally valuable vehicles.

The continuation of the trip again took us across the Albula valley. On account of the starting twilight no more photo stops were planned – but the evening atmosphere at Albula valley was nevertheless delightful.

Again it was possible to enjoy drinks in the Barwagon, rounding up the day. The arrival at Chur marked the end of the journey, all participants, whether guests or helpers, were happy about the eventful trip in the Grisons mountains. At this point our thanks go to the helpers – without them the wonderful day would not have been possible!

We are now indulging in reminiscences of a perfect start into a new year full of diversified special trips along the tracks of Grisons. And one thing is for sure: during this year something appropriate will be in the offing, regardless whether great or small.

Manuel Blumenthal and Luis Tschirren (Grisons Cultural Youth)

Reservations here

The previous catering of both associations will become „Historic RhB Gastro“. The net profit will be utilized for a refurbishment project at the end of each year.

Next year, hopefully, many public extra trips will attract a wide audience. For this reason the decision comes at the right moment. It is not an easy task to offer attractive gastro service to all guests in historic trains all over the wide spread Grison rail network.
The leadership of Historic RhB Gastro will be taken care of by members of both associations:

• Management:
  Andy Jenny (procurement, cash system, coordination national/international and dish washing)
• Operation Gastro Team:
  Roman Probst (for members of both associations incl. BKJ)
  
• Coordination Gastro inquiries/extra tours/RhB:
  Stefan Wyss
• Bookkeeping:
  Fredy Pfister

For the preparation, the gastro jobs on the trains and the dish washing after the trips there will now be available a team of about 30 younger and elderly helpers from the region and the German speaking part of Switzerland.

The storage space for the catering material will be at the workshop of Club 1889 at Samedan. The association Steam Friends had to give up its present catering location on account of the demolition of the former SBB station at Landquart at the end of November 2024. For all payment methods the IT-infrastructure of Club 1889 can be used.

Reservations for the 1st class in steam trains or other offers, as for example tours with our loco 182 across Bernina shall be arranged via Station Bonaduz.

The two associations are looking forward to the cooperation and hope for many satisfied guests. Be all welcomed by Historic RhB Gastro in the new year! Our first service under the flag of Historic RhB Gastro will be the Engadin steam trip on January 26, 2025.

To the Site of Historic RhB Gastro

During his time as RhB Marketing Manager – he organized amongst others the relaunch of the Glacier Express with new panorama coaches in the 1990ies – he succeeded in pooling the engagement of many private people for the conservation of historic RhB rolling stock. First proposals from RhB for merging the various associations were strongly rejected by the members. They feared to loose their independence and flexibility.

Finally, during the inauguration ceremony at Pontresina in 2002 of the historic Bernina-Bistro-coach „La Bucunada“ of 1909, refurbished by Club 1889, the spark ignited. When the guests, Marcello Haudenschild, Manager of Steam Friends of RhB (May 8, 1943 – November 3, 2003) Alby Glatt, President of Association Saloon coaches RhB (March 21, 1933 – July 23, 2014) and Willy of RhB as well as Club founder Armin Brüngger (March 1, 1952 – July 25, 2014) on the platform of Bucunada celebrated the inauguration with a glass of whitewine, they realized that everything was ready to support RhB in the preservation of historic rolling stock. At the same time they discussed how they can help each other by providing craftsmen, money collectors and best contacts into the travel business and the cadres of RhB.

On June 28, 2003 the Four, under the leadership of Willy, founded the umbrella organization Historic RhB, in which the associations remained independent but nevertheless focus their outside appearance and act for RhB and the Canton, last but not least for donators, as reliable partner. This was possible only by Willy Hochstrasser who enjoyed the confidence of the volunteers and made his own voluntary work credible and very authentic towards them. This showed amongst others his long lasting Club membership and great support for Armin Brüngger of RhB during the refurbishment of our steam engine Heidi.

After the founding of Historic RhB he took care of the destinies of the Association of Saloon coaches and was even appointed for honorary member by the club members.

With this in mind we have many reasons to be grateful to you, dear Willy and are very thankful for this. We now had to say good bye to the last of our Historic RhB founders.

We are looking in remembrance of you – together with that of Armin Brüngger, Marcello Haudenschild and Alby Glatt – with joy and proud to the future and the development of the newly created Grisons Rail Culture of the last years as well as the growing close cooperation between the various associations.

The Board submits in the name of the volunteers and all other 700 members our deepest sympathies to the mourning family.
Fredy Pfister, President
​​​​​​​

Mourning address:
Family Hochstrasser-Dönz
Gürtelstrasse 88
CH-7000 Chur

„We are back. A most heartily welcome for the re-opening of Hotel Restaurant Terminus at Samedan. We are looking forward to welcome you in our house on December 8, 2024. Look forward to culinary delight and cordial service“.

This is good news for all Samedan travellers and locals. Thanks to the agreement between the owner, Banca Raiffeisen Engiadina Val Müstair and Domenico Zaia the location will continue operation after the renovation.

Photos Christoph Roner

The Association of Steam Friends of RhB as well as Club 1889, of course, offer their services on board with travel brochures, travel guides, drinks and snacks.

To the RhB booking site

Participants (from left to right in first picture):

• Werner Christoffel, Celerina
  
• Ueli Hänni, St. Moritz
  
• Rico Florin, Pontresina
  
• Gian Luzi, Celerina
  
• Theo Hirschi, Samedan
  
• Martin Fliri, St. Moritz 
  

To the video

• Historic RhB rolling stock in colour
  
• Historic RhB rolling stock in black and white
  
• RhB daily operation in colour
  
• Snapshot Switzerland

• Heli Bernina AG
• Optik Foto Rutz AG
  
• Ifolor
  
• Bergün Filisur
  
• Rhätische Bahn

All of you are welcome! Flyer and location in the attachments.

Whenever the refurbishing of our steam engine G 3/4 11 „Heidi“ became mechanically tricky and challenging, Emil immediately appeared at Depot Samedan and helped to find suitable solutions. He implemented them either on the spot or in his own workshop at Schmitten. As such Emil did a lot for the renovation of our Heidi. Hundreds of hours of his life time Emil – as a skilled machinist – dedicated our Club and the rolling RhB heritage.

Praising and dignifying his work was unpleasant for him, for this he was just too modest. It needed some good words to praise his outstanding achievements in the public at the General Meeting of the Club at Filisur in 2018. Emil, of course, received well-deserved applause – together with his former colleague Ulrico Schmid of Filisur, who helped him on many occasions.

Although Emil finished his official Club service, he – much to our delight – did not stop his activity: three years later he assisted in the next steam engine project, the refurbishment of G 3/4 1 „RHAETIA“ by renovating the complex instrument panel at home. It was his last job.

After short, but severe illness he passed away at home in peace on October 9, 2024. Emil, however, will be present whenever small steam engines will be on tour in Grisons. With his engagement he has done a lot for our Club 1889 and as such for Rhätische Bahn. This will never be forgotten.

The Board on this occasion conveys, in the name of our volunteers and all other more than 700 members, our deep condolences to the mourning family.

Fredy Pfister, President

As from now the Pass for the coming year is available. Newcomers, of course, will also receive the information per end 2024.

Information to Pass owners of 2024 will cease per January 31, 2025

Click here for orders

Thereby two designs stood at issue:

On one side the original livery of Swiss Wagon and Lift Company (SWS) of 1948 (F4ü 4205) or that of July 27, 1971 according to the photo documentation of Gian Brüngger of 1973. Since the wagon in future will be operating in green and in mixed green/red trains it was obvious to prefer the inscription of 1973.

The rollout remained undisclosed up to the todays trip „Beer culture meets Rail culture“ of Association of Steam Friends of Rhätische Bahn. In accordance with the special occasion the train was pulled by the green BoBo II 611 „Landquart“. The former baggage car served as rolling bar for beer tasting and degustation. Some smell of the 70ies breezed across the RhB tracks.

Most heartily thanks go to Central Workshop for this initiative which is almost free of charge for all of us.

Paints used:

• roof
  RAL 9006 (white aluminum)
• box
  RAL 6009 (SBB green)
• frame
  RAL 7024 (graphite grey)
• sliding door rail below
  RAL 9006 (white aluminum)
• inscription
  RAL 1015

Category 1
Historic RhB rolling stock in colour

Category 2
Historic RhB rolling stock in black and white

Category 3
Day to day operation RhB in colour

Category 4
Snapshots Switzerland (must include a public transport content)

Many extraordinary prizes such as helicopter rides, vouchers for overnight stays or trips by Rhätische Bahn, hampers and many more can be won. Participation is free of charge. All Fair Photographers who have acquired the FairPhotoPass 2024 can participate. 

Information
(Registration with PDF download right/below)

We wish Marcel much pleasure for his engagement for historic RhB – be it the job as well as the hobby. 

As Otto Morell of Samedan, the second last owner of the hotel, told Club 1889 that his family took over the hotel in 1953. The house was built in 1912 as a residential building with restaurant. Later the flats were converted into hotel bedrooms, whereby the former flat floor plans are still somehow visible. From 1981 to 2001 Otto Morell together with his wife took care of the house. As from 2001 the couple always looked for engaged partners for the hotel operation. 

The Terminus for over hundred years was a meeting point for Samedan village associations, mainly however, for rail people, having plenty of them at Samedan: Depot- and station personal, rail service employees, shunting- and cleaning personal, loco- and train drivers, who met, after their service hours at the round table for exchanging news and job experiences. With their families, occasionally, they celebrated birthdays, confirmations and other family events in the small ball rooms. Travel agencies liked the house as meeting point for trips of public transport.

Those from the village and the Employees

While residents of the „Village“ in the past used to change to other localities in the center, the Terminus remained social meeting point for the rail employees of the lower part of the village, as it was called by the rail employees according to Otto Morell. For rail travellers from the „low land“, who preferred good kitchen and overnight stay in a central location in Upper Engadin the Hotel Terminus was always a reliable address. Members of Club 1889 from the beginning also liked to stop at Terminus after public steam trips and workshop activities for exchanging experiences of what had just happened, with a tasty beer together. For all of them it is hard to believe that the station square will now soon be deserted gastronomically.

The Raiffeisenbank – actually a regional enterprise

In 2022 Otto Morell for age reasons tried to find a buyer for the hotel and even found a local new owner together with Raiffeisen Engiadina Val Müstair. According to Engadiner Post of November 16, 2023 the hotel was supposed to be transferred into a modern bank outlet. In addition there were rumours about operation of a restaurant by Raiffeisen.

An inquiry by Club 1889, being a shareholder of the bank regarding the future of the important Samedan restaurant, however, remained without answer. The lease agreements seem to have been prolonged for two times as from 2022 for one year each. The actual leaseholder, however, needs planning security for himself and for his employees and as such he decided for a change of his priorities. This means the end of Terminus.
A Raiffeisen-Restaurant, on the other hand, would surely be a great popular figure for Engadin guests and the local population. A blessing for the gastronomically dying village, for the nursing- and old age home near the station and perhaps also for the large administration building planned at the big wasteland at the former goods handling area, as mentioned by Otto Morell. The reason cannot be a lack of a successful catering outlet.

Final visit by Tram-Museum Zurich

On September 21 Club President Fredy Pfister had the honour to offer an Apéro to a delegation of Tram-Museum Zurich at Terminus including booster club and foundation council, explaining the house history and the reason for the close down. A historical event. This event with a fine Engadin meal plate, by the way, was the end of a day tour of the Zurich delegation through Grisons with a visit to the Rail Museum Albula at Bergün as well as the rolling stock shed at Samedan with all the historic wagon pearls stored therein.

Immortalized in a slide show

The „Ustrinkata“ remains until September 24. After this the Terminus will be closed forever and Samedan is losing a further, central part of the former active village life. Where the active and retired rail and business people as well as users of public transport will stop for a bite to eat at best traffic location remains an open question. 

In 2003 Club 1889, by the way, had organized for a slide show in respect of the varied jobs around the station and the Depot of Samedan in which also Terminus found a rightful place:
To the video „A day at Samedan station“

Those plates were stored by our late project leader Armin Brüngger, after he had arranged for replicas for the refurbished coaches and after he had handed over yet another sample to the volunteers at the dates of the inauguration. Upon Armin’s wish the original plates should be handed over in good hands – thus to the Rail Museum Albula.

In the picture from left to right: Walter Sommer (Vice President Foundation Rail Museum Albula), Fredy Pfister (President Club 1889), Roman Sommer (Manager Rail Museum Albula) and Noah Balzer (staff member Rail Museum Albula and President Albula-Rail-Club)

In commemoration of our founder president and blessed project leader Armin Brüngger – who died on July 25, 2024 – the engine was decorated with a black ribbon and a floral wreath. 

During the lunch break at Zernez, Club President Fredy Pfister, after the joint meal at Restaurant a la Staziun, presented in a short speech the candidate for the succession of Armin Brüngger: Marcel Fischer. He is engine driver at Rhätische Bahn and Club Board member since 2018, in particular Chairman of the steam engine driver’s group and the Club owned engine 11 Heidi. His second hobby is the Yodel Choir Engadin whereby in case of special events he likes to wear the Engadin Sunday costume. The best of this succession, however, is that Armin Brüngger was able to appreciate it while he was still alive.

Armin Brüngger is definitely irreplaceable in his great project work. Nevertheless, the Board is happy to have found, with Marcel Fischer, a good and competent successor. 

To the Obituary for Armin Brüngger by Club President Fredy Pfister

They were allowed to travel in an extra train, had lunch together in a party tent at Rigi Staffel and even a visit at the Rigi Rail workshop.
Members of our Grisons Cultural Rail Youth, of course, were present as well. A repetition is planned. 

The event happened with kind support of RIGI HISTORIC.  

• A box without frame and axles will be required
• Width 2,5 – 3,4 meters
• Length less than 10,5 meters, preferably 8 – 9 meters
• The Tiny House in the end must not exceed a weight of 40 tons, the lighter the rolling stock the better
• For the Tiny House a new frame and axles will be produced
• The Tiny House shall be suitable for vacation- or weekend comiciles
• Inside the vehicle will be isolated for winter/summer operation in carpenter standard
• The Tiny House shall emanate as much culture and nostalgia as possible 
• Good condition if possible but not a must

Nowadays a lot of wagon boxes are still existing as garden house, tool shed or similar which might not be required anymore and are on the way to be scrapped. Whether from wood, metal or aluminum is not important.
Whoever knows such an object is welcome to get in touch.
Dock29 GmbH being a boatyard with carpenter shop have the necessary know-how regarding handling of wood, steel, aluminum and fibre glass.

Contact: Dock29 GmbH
             Fälmi 6
             CH-8254 Basadingen

Nicola Weiss Tel. +41 79 595 1811

The impressive viaducts of the Albula line can be enjoyed, meals and drinks will be served at three stations and the Bozen Brassband will care for spirited musical accompaniment.

To the bookings

On March 19, 1996 Armin, aged 48, founded Club 1889 together with Samedan rail employees and craftsmen. Since then he, with unbelievable determination and meticulousness, always with all his heart, expertise, good eye and unending patience, refurbished together with his active Club colleagues, eighteen historic engines and wagons of Rhätische Bahn originating from 1889 to 1962. Whenever he did not accompany a project from A to Z – what rarely happened in the past – he motivated the volunteers in the background and supported them in the right moment.

Armin leaves behind an unbelievable lifework of a rolling stock collection for Rhätische Bahn and as such for Canton Grisons as well as for rail fans from all over the world. He has invested for this selflessly tenthousands of working hours. Most of the rolling stock refurbished by volunteers under his leadership are owned by RhB and are ultimately in possession of Grisons population. They are not museums pieces. These Grisons rolling cultural goods are available for public extra tours and for everybody perceptible and accessible.

He has, with his creativity of the last 28 years, convinced many volunteers to engage themselves in the preservation of RhB historic vehicles. Not only in the workshop. If throughout his life he might not always have aware of it: besides the foundation of Club 1889, also the founding of Historic RhB in 2003, the publishing of magazine „Grisons Cultural Rail“ and todays Grisons rail culture in general were possible only with Armin’s tireless work and his continuous visible success which inspired and incited many actors of the Historic RhB scene sustainably.

The entire Club Board is full of thanks that it was able, upon Armin’s initiative, to accompany him for two of his last days at home. A lot was discussed amongst the Board members concerning a future without him. The key was handed over while it was still warm, as wanted by Armin. With this the Board made easier Armin’s luggage for his last trip. For Armin it was extremely important to put things straight with his second family – Club 1889 – in time. Typical Armin – as to say.

His last words to the Board were: „I will always accompany you and the Club members from above when Heidi will be on tour“.

In honour of Armin two Club members day before yesterday pulled Heidi in front of his house with our tractor 62 so that he could see his beloved loco in the last hours of his life.

We express his family our deepest condolences. In particular to his Margrit who has supported him for twenty years for all Club projects, keeping his back free and protecting him during his last days and hours alertedly and attentively. Thanks, Margrit, be proud of what you have achieved together!

Armin, we all knew: long rotating discussions and meetings, protocols and not viable visions were not your things – instead practical work with clear targets, implemented with your loyal depot colleagues. For this you were an example for many of us.

We will do everything possible to commonly preserve and operate our rhätisch rail heritage in your spirit; how, it remains to be seen. We all know that nobody can follow in your tracks fully, this we have discussed with you and you have always been aware of it.

Nevertheless, we accept the challenge by heart believing that we will continue to receive the support of our big Club family. Thanks for everything you have done for us RhB fans!

In the name of the volunteers of the active and former work groups Samedan, Poschiavo, Chur and Landquart, the Catering, the Board, the more than 700 members from near and far, the loyal donors, sponsors and foundations

with a last long Heidi-whistle

in deep gratitude for common Depot- and great Rail moments

Fredy Pfister, President​​​​​​​

After a long break, the BKJ has finally organised an event again. We were at the BC on 29 and 30 June. We travelled from Vevey on Saturday in a modern GTW from the MVR and changed to the BC's historic Bernese tram in Blonay. Once we arrived at the depot in Chaulin-Musée, we were immediately given a guided tour by François Charrière. All the vehicles were explained to us in detail. Afterwards, we split up and looked over the shoulders of the young members of the BC. We worked as train attendants, as spectators on the steam locomotive and as carpenters in the workshop. In the evening we enjoyed a trip together to Blonay and back with photo stops. The evening meal was very tasty and entertaining.

On Sunday morning, we were once again able to look over the shoulders of the BC members and take a ride in various vehicles. After the Puschlaver spaghetti for lunch, we headed for the highlight: the trip to Vevey. As a surprise, it was a train who had only RhB carriages. The TW 35 made its first journey after its major overhaul. The journey was a successful end to the weekend!

Many thanks to everyone at the BC who made our stay possible and patiently showed us everything. Special thanks to Cédric Beguin, who took care of everything and spoilt us with delicious food.

With the Arosa part ahead

Thanks to a small RhB internal intervention it was possible to arrange for the ABe8/12 3514 „Ancestor train“ a few days before the General Meeting that the blue/creme part pointed in direction Arosa, taken by everybody as a matter of honour and a matter of fact. In order to achieve this the train was turned – attached to regular trains – on Thursday before the General Meeting via Tirano with two back shunts at St. Moritz as well as an outward trip via Vereina and a return trip via Albula.

Harmonious atmosphere

The team of sport- and congress center Arosa lead by Rebecca von Gunten has arranged together with Restaurant Edelweiss of Langwies and a local flower shop for a harmonious atmosphere of the General Meeting. The three course menue with a large dining assortment found great approval, many tastes had an opportunity to be satisfied. The dessert buffet, in any case, was empty in the end. During the meal a slide show with around 300 pictures provided an inside view of the activities of Club 1889 in the past club year.

Welcome by the directors of tourism

The Arosa director of tourism, Roland Schuler, welcomed the Club in Schanfigg heartily and pointed out, among others, that Arosa not only loves the railway but also the oldtimer scene as shown by the Event Arosa Classic Car from August 29 to September 1, 2024. 

Enrico Iseppi – new head of loco 182 and as such new board member

Club President Fredy Pfister, with mixed feelings, had to discharge Club-institution Ernst Demonti from the board for age reasons. Ernst Demonti was responsible as project leader from 1999 to 2010 for the repatriation of our loco 182 of 1928 from France and its subsequent refurbishment. But with a laughing eye the president was able to present to the General Meeting the Pontresina loco driver Enrico Iseppi as successor – based on a proposal of Ernst Demonti – who was then elected with applause for the board and for head of loco 182. Ernst Demonti will continue to be available for Enrico Iseppi as „Senior project leader“.

Sound finances and professional invoice control

The General Meeting transferred the control of the sound Club finances – for the time being – to the President and to Vice President Armin Brüngger with applause, following the unexpected resignation of treasurer Markus Kick. As such it can be ensured that the Club finances will be looked after in accordance with the interests of Club 1889 and that bills will be issued on time respectively paid for. 
Thanks to the professional online bookkeeping system, introduced by Fredy Pfister in 2019, this arrangement can start smoothly. Within the General Meeting there was no spontanious reaction for filling the vacant treasurer position. Inspite of this the board is in good mood to present a solution of the treasurer question soon.

Also with applause the long time auditors Hans Peter Pitschi and Lurs Derungs were discharged, who at the beginning of the year had proposed to transfer the bookkeeping control of Club 1889 into professional hands, on account of the large balance sheet total. The board followed this suggestion and was requested by the Club members to arrange for a professional bookkeeping control. A respective offer is in the hands of the board. The president very much welcomes this solution since the seriousness of Club 1889 – in particular towards Foundations and the state sector – will be enhanced additionally. 
Ernst Demonti received, as a farewell gift, a voucher for an extra train with „his“ loco 182, Hans Peter Pitschi and Luis Derungs will be invited for a steam trip in the 1st Class with Apéro, coffee and cake.

A colourful mixture at the end

At the end following varia were presented to the General Meeting

• The Bündner Kulturbahn Magazin (Grisons Cultural Rail Magazine) 2024, a volunteer job of Club members, is in production. All members of Historic RhB will receive a copy
• The BKJ (Grisons Cultural Rail Youth) will spend a weekend at Museum Rail Bloney-Chamby on June 29/30
• On Tuesday, July 23 the Alby-Glatt-Memorial Express will be on tour on occasion of the 10th day of death of „Mister Pullman“. This is sold out already.
  
• On August 25 the only steam train of this year will be organized. The Train Museum Bergün is organizing this event in the name of most of the Historic RhB associations. The steam train with Heidi will travel from Samedan to Davos Wiesen, then via Filisur to Alveneu and back to Bergün and Samedan. The train will be accompanied by the Bozen Brass Band. In between an Apéro will be served, a fine lunch at Bergün and on the way back into Engadin a dessert in the train. Tickets are available here
• On October 19 the Association of Steam Friends of RhB will again organize a beer-trip from Landquart to Bergün and after lunch via Thusis to Chur. In use shall be the green BoBo 2.
• The General Meeting 2025 will be held on June 14 at Bergün. The date had to be advanced by one week because of the General Meeting of Association of Saloncoaches on June 21, 2025, actually the date of Club 1889. Instead, however, many synergies will open on June 14: we can combine the General Meeting in an ideal manner with the activities of Rail Museum Bergün which will perform their share holders meeting in the morning, and on the part of RhB it is planned to inaugurate the Landwasser World. As such the historic extra trains can be utilized commonly.
  

To the Photogallery

To the Ancestors Train of LGB  

ut of the total of 335 postcards, produced under the label „Edition Club 1889“, far more than 100 can be acquired, showing all RhB loco types, taken by many reputable Swiss photographers over the last 30 years.

Please do not hesitate to visit us for some browsing, chatting, pondering and philosophizing as well as to indulge in reminiscences. The Club stand staffing are looking forward to welcome you.

•    In and around the Rail Museum Albula Bergün the yearly UNESCO World Heritage days / Rail festival will be celebrated with intensive participation of Historic RhB. The festival program you can find here.

•    At the same time the Mountain trip festival Cultura Alpina will be carried out in the village, where in different Bergün locations theater performances, readings, discussions and much more will take place. The festival program you can find here.

Club 1889 will on its stand in the Historic RhB village offer exclusively the complete postcard selection of the last 29 years as well as no longer required factory plates of their historic rolling stock. A visit is certainly worthwhile!

In addition helpers are still wanted for the assembly and disassembly as well as for the performance of the UNESCO World Heritage festival. Meals will be provided free of charge. Registration with the PDF-attachment.

The trip to and from Arosa can, of course, be carried out by our historic extra-train (founders-train and Bernina coaches, as well as „Filisur Stübli“ and Bar F.4.), this time being pulled by the RhB-ancestors railcar, so that enough space will be available in blue-creme to Arosa.

Insider tip: only because of the lunch buffet it will be worthwhile to join!

Club members can register as from now, the Annual Report can be downloaded from Intranet. In addition to this the invitation will follow per mail or per Post together with a printed A4-booklet. 

To the program and to the online-registration 

Alby Glatt (1933-2014) known among experts worldwide as „Mr. Pullman“, was famous for his passion for old, glorious European luxury trains.

Being a railway enthusiast he was the founder of the renaissance of luxury trains in Europe. Since beginning of the 70ies he collected coaches of the Compagnie Internationale des Wagons Lits (CIWL) and original coaches of Rheingold express of Deutsche Reichsbahn of the 1920 and 1930 years, arranging for restoration in their original condition in detail with keeness and passion. This car park he operated under the name of „Nostalgic Istanbul-Orient-Express“ for long-distance journeys and circular tours.

The longest trip made by his coaches was in September 1988 when on occasion of a jubelee of a Japanese TV-station they travelled from Paris across Europe via Berlin, Warsaw, Moscow, the Transsiberian Railway via Peking to Hong Kong. For the trip across Russia wide gauge bogies had to be provided for the gauge change of the „Nostalgic Istanbul Orient Express“ at Brest at the Polish-Russian border. The return to the European normal gauge was arranged at Zabaikalsk at the Russian-Chinese border for the continuation of the journey up to Hong Kong. The train was then transferred by ship to Japan where it was fitted with narrow cape gauge bogies and operated for almost three months across the island.

Strong relation to Rhätische Bahn

ogether with the former marketing head of Rhätische Bahn, Willy Hochstrasser, he raised in December 1996 the Association „Pro Saloon Cars RhB“ and initiated the preservation and the operation of the historic valuable creme-blue coaches which would otherwise have been scrapped without his intervention. Those coaches were put into operation in Art Deco design by CIWL at Berner Oberland Bahn in 1931 and shortly thereafter sold to Rhätische Bahn. About 25 years ago the four coaches were professionally refurbished together with Grisons Office for Preservation. They operate since then under the brand name „Alpine Classic Pullman Express“.

In 2009 Alby Glatt became honorary member of the Association. Amongst others he also had a seat in the board of the „Rheingold Saloon Train AG“, Cologne.
Alby Glatt, following the salvation of the CIWL carriages of RhB, made it possible to offer a stylish way of travelling at Rhätische Bahn. He liked to talk about „cruises across the Alps“. The piano bar of the „Nostalgic Istanbul Orient-Express“ soon became the model function for the „narrow gauge version“ of Grisons Canton, the „PIANO BAR“. Alby Glatt has made history of cosy travelling by rail and to make many travellers happy. 

A commemorative train with everything included

This heritage continues to live, thanks to his long-time female companion Heidi Ruf and the Pullmanclub. Good ideas never die.
Heidi Ruf comments as follows: 

„Long live the travelling on tracks of this world“! The Alpine Classic Pullman-Express is luxurious temptation and alpine experience together. 
Following this the travel program for Alby Glatt’s commemorative journey, according to Heidi Ruf, will be:

At about 10:30 a.m. departure from Chur. Our train includes three saloon cars in Art Déco-style, three dining cars from the same era and the wellknown RhB saloon car A1161. Of course, the PIANO BAR will not be missing where Pepe will offer an emotion of sounds, a baggage car will provide space for large baggage. We enjoy a fascinating trip with constantly changing views. We will pass across Pättigau and Wolfgangpass to Davos. From there via Filisur and the spectacular Albula route, UNESCO world heritage, into Engadin. Along the way we enjoy the freshly prepared lunch in the dining cars. 
In Samedan we can take a rare opportunity: members of the Samedan Club 1889 will guide us through the depot of RhB and the wooden carriage shed of architect Romano Brasser of Pontresina. They will show us the jobs done of the last 30 years. As such we will receive an inside view of historic locos and cars of RhB from 1889 to 1962 and hear much interesting facts about technical aspects of the rolling stock.

The return trip will be via Zernez, Vereinatunnel and Prättigau to Chur. Arrival there about 7:00 p.m.

Members of the Glatt family, of course, will accompany us“.
The detailed program in German/English and the booking references you may find in the attachment.

• Contact:
  Pullman Tours GmbH
  Hansmatt 30
  CH-6370 Stans
  Tel: +41 391 0360
  ​​​​​​​info@pullmanclub.ch

To the homepage of Pullmanclub

Club project manager Armin Brüngger had the idea to refurbish the historic axles and to provide them with wooden padded seats in line with the historic RhB station benches.

The benches shall be located at the future outdoor LGB-model railroad layout. 
In the attachments you may find the respective monthly depot reports on these jobs.

The nostalgic counter with small Caféteria and souvenir articles is open from 08:15 to 12:15.

In the course of the General Meeting the ladies were honored and warmly thanked for their great commitment.

We from Club 1889 like to suggest to all owners of seasonal, reduced or other tickets resp. those who require travel information for Rhätische Bahn, to recommend station Bonaduz and congratulate Carmen Gredig most heartily for her 20 year jubilee!

To Station Bonaduz 

Beginning of this week, however, the Ge4/4 II 616 of 1973 appeared cannabalized at a recycling yard from where it will go back into the raw-material cycle in bits and pieces together with the Club logos.

Altogether 23 pieces of these typical Rhätische Bahn mainline engines were produced in two series, numbers 611 to 620 (1973) and 621 to 633 (1984/1985) with distinctive Grisons village names:

• While the locos of the first series, numbers 611 „Landquart“, 612 „Thusis“, 614 „Schiers“, 615 „Klosters“ and those of the second series, numbers 620 to 633 received a technical refit with dual brake (air pressure and vacuum) and modern train protection,
• numbers 628 „S-chanf“, 616 „Filisur“ and 619 „Samedan“ were scrapped in 2024.
• Fortunately loco 611 received a green advertising livery with original chrome lettering in 2024 and will now be on tour for a Grisons rail foundation of Historic RhB.
• Exciting will be the future of loco 613 „Domat/Ems“, 617 „Ilanz“, 618 „Bergün/Bravougn“: one of those engines, 613, 617 or 618 could perhaps go into service again soon in blue/creme livery of the Classic Pullman Express with Festina-lente-logo (an idea of Association pro Saloon cars RhB ), loco 618 can perhaps be integrated in Rail Museum Albula at Bergün. The final decision of Central Workshop remains to be seen. Significant will be the actual, technical condition.
  

Club member Michaela Hardmeier regrets a bit wistful the scrapping of the coal-loco: it operated successfully for five years with the steam engine layout designed by her and the model drawing of Wolfgang Finke, as well as the donation barometer, promoting for the donation campaign for the restoration of the first RhB-steam engine. On November 9, 2019 the project members celebrated a nice rollout together with RhB director Renato Fasciati.

Michaela was hoping for a meeting of the advertising loco with the original, however, this will now no longer be possible. At least: in about a year the RHAETIA should be under steam again.
Besides those great prospects – in Michaela’s family and in many other living rooms and gardens worldwide the coal loco models of BEMO and LGB will continue to perform their laps.

All institutions can provide flyers to the visitors of the museum, placed at the lower part of the desk.

„United in the association“ is the motto which is certainly unique in the Swiss rail scene. We thank Historic RhB and the Rail Museum Albula for this platform.

To Historic RhB

To the offers of Grisons Cultural Rail

In the TV episode „Dreamlike Rail Routes of Switzerland“ as from August 1, 2022 by 3SAT, one can find a short report on the train (minutes 7:40 to 12:00). In this film also our Club members Ernst Demonti, Christoph Benz and Enrico Iseppi can be seen as well as Werner Wohlwend, whose father helped in the restoration of Bernina Rail loco 182.

To the film „Dreamlike Rail Routes of Switzerland“
(distribution 2, episodes 1/4  

Break of Meeting caused by green BoBo 2

Shortly before the start of the meeting of the delegates it was interrupted because of the passing by of the RhB owned Ge4/4 II 611 „Landquart“ in the new, original green livery of 1973 with the first freight train from Landquart to Pontresina. The engine, meant for Landwasser World initiated by RhB, was fitted with dual brake system at RhB Cental Workshop Landquart (for wagons with old vacuum- and actual air pressure brakes) as well as with modern train control system (ZSI 127). The break of the meeting was worthwhile, the more as many of elderly delegates, when seeing the loco, were reminded of their youth resp. their active time at Rhätische Bahn when almost all of the engines on the main network were green, same as of SBB.

The green BoBo 2 will be a photogenic advertisement for Landwasser world and for Historic RhB.

Balanced Annual Result 2023

Our five delegates with eight voting rights – contrary to the negative set budget 2023 – were able to report of a balanced annual result. In particular for the event „20 years Historic RhB“ the umbrella organization did not have to spend so much money as originally envisaged.

Project contribution to the associations of Historic RhB by Grisons Canton

All delegates and presidents of the association were pleased to hear the explanations of Historic RhB President Reto Crameri on the annual report 2023 and the positive effect Grisons law concerning public transport (GöV) will have on the project tasks of the associations.

On the basis of the revised act Grisons Association Rail Culture was founded, the board of which includes RhB regent and director of the Swiss Museum of Transport Martin Bütikofer, the liberal Grisons member of the council Giovanni Jochum and Reto Crameri of Historic RhB.

Based on a performance agreement signed on December 19, 2023 with Grisons Canton, the board can evaluate projects of Rail Culture of Rhätische Bahn and of Historic RhB associated institutions and subsequently apply for funds at the Office for Traffic.

End of 2023 already the Canton gave assurances for projects, also for eleven projects of Club 1889, applied for retrospectively end of 2023 by Historic RhB and agreed upon by the Grisons Association of Rail Culture as well as by the Canton. This can certainly be regarded as recognition of voluntary work of our Club members.

Slim program with few extra trips

Werner Caluori of Rhätische Bahn presented under Varia the meagre RhB nostalgic trip program of this year following the lack of loco drivers and the painful total loss of public steam journeys. He pointed out, however, that individual trips of Historic RhB Associations as well as trips of travel agencies confirmed at an early stage can be performed same as a trip of the Association of Steam Friends of Rhätische Bahn.

Club President Fredy Pfister is glad that the extra trip for 120 to 150 participants of the General Meeting of June 22, 2024 to Arosa can be carried out.

New organization structure for Rail Culture within RhB

On behalf of Rhätische Bahn, Roman Cathomas introduced a new internal organization structure to be meant to coordinate preservation, maintainance, but also planning, operation and marketing of historic RhB trains. He himself will be responsible, Werner Caluori will be deputy.

For Club 1889, since its foundation in 1996 and latest since 2010/2015 when the Club had at disposal two historic locos, this was a great concern, falling again and again on deaf ears, although it has plenty of interfaces with different RhB departments. Due to the all in all complicated structures within and around Historic RhB and RhB, we will see whether this construct will function and foremost will bear fruits. As the past 30 years showed, qualified and highly engaged Club members only have marginal influence on many important issues of technical and supply planning nature. It seems that the switches resp. the route is now given in the right direction. The new organization would be a good possibility to deepen the public – private partnership which we as Club 1889 cultivate with RhB since 1996.

Opening of Albula Tunnel 2 and Historic RhB village

For the opening of Albula Tunnel 2 RhB Infrastructure is planning a festival for the weekend June 8/9, 2024 at Spinas and Preda. Details are not yet available. Roman Sommer, manager of Historic RhB, presented, however, his plans for a fine Historic RhB event at BMA, which will also be organized worldwide within the UNESCO World Heritage Days. During the weekend the associations may present themselves to the public in a party tent – in the socalled Historic RhB village.

The Apero also was worth the trip

By tradition, after the meeting, an Apero will be arranged, which serves for intensive exchange of ideas amongst the association presidents and members, who partly came from far away.

It is not known otherwise of BMA: it was excellent because of high quality local products. It was carried out in the exhibition room of Scrap Art , in prestigious surroundings.

Merely because of the delicacies the trip to Bergün was worthwhile for the delegates.

On April 6, 2024 within a small ceremony with many young and older guests as well as many Club members from half of Switzerland the station building together with operational, historic signal box were inaugurated. Club members enjoyed a free of charge entry offered by Steam Rail Katzensee.

We thank the Landenberger family together with their team for the unforgettable, very warm inauguration ceremony. For the official guests a delicious barbecue roast and a special cake were served after the end of the business day.

Picture gallery with legends

Homepage Spinas Station 1:5

We will travel from Landquart (10:05) resp. Chur (10:36) by the new RhB ancestors train and by our genuine green and yellow ancestors coaches of 1889 to 1910, along Plessur into Schanfigg to Arosa and back.

Two of the three modules of the widely acclaimed ancestors train livery of the multiple-unit train ABe8/12 3514 refer to former Grisons private rail companies: Chur-Arosa Rail and Bernina Rail. Both were incorporated in RhB in 1941. However, Club 1889 will also include in the train the refurbished original III. Class coach C.32. of 1889 of the former, likewise private, Landquart-Davos Rail. As such the three private predecessor companies of the present RhB network – all actually „RhB ancestors“ – are represented in the train composition. A successful and splendid idea. Most probably this never happened before on the network of Grisons state railway.

Lunch will be arranged before the meeting in the wonderful Erzhorn hall. Same as in our former Depot General Meetings a buffet will be provided.

Registrations for Club Members together with further information will follow in springtime, as always, external guests are welcome (one guest per member). And moreso, same as every year, the extra trip, the lunch, both or separate or nothing can be booked. The participation in the meeting is free of charge.

Fredy Pfister, President Club 1889

Club members Armin Brüngger, Theo Hirschi and Markus Kick have put all their expertise, their craftmanship and good eye into the construction of this station.

The station building is a present of Club 1889 for the 60 years anniversary of the family business Landenberger and their team.
The official inauguration of the station is now planned for the weekend April 6/7, 2024.

Steam Rail Katzensee will on this occasion organise a small celebration with special driving operation and party tent for meat and drink.
Club members will receive a free invitation.

To the site Spinas 1:5

For this occasion he has organized a very special Museum train for the weekend June 15/16, 2024 at Romandie, for exploring the Riviera, the Veveyse, the Greyerzerland, the Pays d’Enhaut, the Saannenland and even the Simmenvalley up to Lenk.

The best for the fans: in use in particular will be loco BB81, the railcar 35 as well as the former Engadin Express coaches As2 and AB121.

You can find the offer exclusively on our eventpage bahnoldtimer.ch.

Part of the net profit will go to Club 1889.

More infos and tickets can be found here

They have to clear the basement of their late father at Winterthur and have to find a new owner of a special model railroad layout. Father Ruf has for many years dealt intensively with the operation of the former Bellinzona-Mesocco-Rail under the aegis of Rhätische Bahn and built the line with stations Castione-Arbedo, Lostallo, Soazza as well as Mesocco in gauge 1:87.

The analog functioning layout was arranged in modular manner (e.g. it can be dismantled and built up again) and shows love for details, not only with regard to authentic stations but also with timber handling, sawmill, tank storage and even a water dam. Misox pure.

Offered are also numerous BEMO models of age but with many added accessories. A list of items can be found in the attachment. Preferably the Ruf brothers would sell all models in one lot at an agreed price.

Whoever is interested in the layout, in parts of it or in BEMO models only, may contact Ueli Ruf direct (Tel. +41 55 216 1220). The layout and the models are suitable for hobbyists or as a starter kit.

More than 800 working hours and unforeseen teamwork

The museum employee and constructor of this enlivened and authentic model – Herbert Wirz – has produced a model in over 800 planning and working hours during a period of three years which combines perfectly our BoBo I model as well as the MITROPA-dining car hull of RhB at Rail Museum Albula at Bergün. 

Herbert Wirz thanked all helpers present for their valuable assistance in form of material, work, paint and inscription. For him the beginning of the project in 2021 was a journey into an uncertain future which, however, thanks to the help of different protagonists of different companies found a successful end. The invited guests were delighted of the result, in particular also of the interior equipment with the nice figures, which give a soul to the wagon. In the kitchen spaghetti are prepared and eaten in the dining compartment. The original kitchen installation can be admired a few meters apart of the model in 1:1.

The original coach was one of two supplied by the former Swiss Wagon and Lift factory Schlieren to the former Bernina Rail in 1928 and in 1944 a kitchen was added, most probably also at Schlieren.
The dining car operation at Bernina Rail was carried out by the then Central European Sleeping and Dining Car Company (MITROPA). After the takeover of Bernina Rail by Rhätische Bahn the coaches operated in express trains between Chur and St. Moritz in the Glacier Express up to the end of the 80ies.

End of a long journey

Club President Fredy Pfister and the former owner of the green BoBo I, Friedrich von Andrian, are very pleased that the wonderful loco, presented to  Club 1889 by Friedrich von Andrian in 2019 in connection with the former Club project of a BoBo I in green outfit, has found an adequate trailer. Fortress Guard Ruedi Schmid of Davos has produced the motorized loco most probably end of the 1990ies as a single piece and later sold it to Friedrich von Andrian.

Ruedi Schmid obviously never thought about his loco to move from Davos to Luzern, later to Zurich and finally to Schlieren to be a wonderful exhibit in a museum, where it now can be admired by many people together with the dining car as a whitness of the Glacier Express of the 1980ies.

The guys there overhauled the engine, installed airpressure brakes and automatic coupling and kept it going for extra tours at Bernese Oberland Rail until the 1990ies. In 1999 Club 1889 bought the engine and transferred it back to Grisons.

From 2000 to 2015 the engine was refurbished completely thanks to the careful planning work of Project Leader Armin Brüngger. In fact, it was even equipped with a new boiler from the Netherlands for operation with light oil.

Armin Brüngger has now arranged for a richly illustrated documentation of all jobs, available as PDF download (under attachments). In this even the test runs and the official approval are included. Upon special request the PDF is also available in good photo resolution.

To the site of engine 11

•    To the Depot reports
•    Report on maintainance of steam engine 11

Just now the latest pictures reached us from the workshop.

Further articles related to RHAETIAice, whereby the activities lasted for more than a week.

Trains could operate only from Chur to Küblis, Ilanz and Filisur, from Samedan via Pontresina to St. Moritz, from Poschiavo to Tirano and from Bellinzona to Mesecco. Rail employees and passengers fought together with railway managers along the remaining network against the snow, sixty passengers had to stay in a railcar overnight on the way to Arosa which, after a line closure was moved and parked in a tunnel. The removal work, however, had to be stopped soon following the danger of further avalanches.

Next Monday the management of Rhätische Bahn under the control of the Small Council discussed the matter with the Canton Building Authority and the District Postal Directorate within a crisis meeting to determine which and when Grisons rail lines had to be re-opened, in order to coordinate and join forces. The complete rail staff, the military forces, locals and holidaymakers got engaged in order to return to normal service, whereby the activities lasted for more than a week.

Club member Christoph Roner provided us with a detailed article on the incidents published by Grisons Monthly No. 9 of 1951, which we gladly share with you (download under attachments). The author, Hans Conrad himself, in his introduction even gives a summary of the snow removal and the construction measures at RhB from 1889 to 1951. We wish a lot of astonishment while reading. A thank you goes post humously to the author who decided in 1951 to retain „the extraordinary events“ for the future.
We are now the future which can learn from the past and which does not allow to ignore former courage and determination. 

In addition we have excavated a further short story of a big avalanche tragedy near the station Monstein which not only destroyed the complete building but also killed the station manager and the linesman. Published in the Grisons Rail Culture magazine of 2008.

However, loco No. 1 did not make it to a museum but started a grand Tour de Suisse: Its locations were the Tramdepot of the Transport Services Zurich at Wiedikon as well as the SBB Depots Vallorbe and Chexbres-Villages. In 1970 the Museum Rail Blonay-Chamby (BC) took care of it, where it was refurbished and in operation until 1989.

Determination of the further timetable

Moreover, joyful greetings reached us from the workshop of North Norfolk Railway in the Western part of UK (from left to right): Robin Monday (former workshop manager of NNR and at present at 60% activity at NNR), NNR-Chief-Engineer Peter Phillips, Owner of the Swiss Railway Services Mike Ellis, RhB employees Alex Graf and Reto Marc as well as Keith Ashford (Chief Mechanic).

Alex and Reto together with Mike visited the NRR workshop at Weybourne to get information on the repair process of the boiler and the rebuilding of the copper fire box and most important: jointly develop the further process of the tasks in 2025.

After all, a working locomotive has to be assembled of the big locoparts and the boiler from Weybourne at the RhB Central Workshop at Landquart!

More articles of RHAETIA

Adriano was a pithy Bernina railroader who liked to tell stories of his work life but also of hunting, country and people. From 2001 to 2018 he was active member of our group Poschiavo and looked after the refurbishment of loco 182 and its subsequent maintainance. In our great documentation film about Bernina loco 182 of last year Adriano, on August 7, 2020 at Pontresina, still had a chance to participate and to tell about the small miracle of Bernina (from minute 49:30).

We offer our sincere sympathy and condolence to the family.

The Board of Club 1889​​​​​​​

Now we have to search for a replacement. The group of active members becomes smaller, a fact which, unfortunately, effects many associations – and our Club in peripheral position even harder.

We wish the surviving dependants strength and confidence and send them our silent mourning salutes.
Rolf, thanks for your great engagement for the rolling RhB heritage. Your work will continue to be on the way on Grisons tracks.

Fredy Pfister, President Club 1889

New performance mandate for the rail culture heritage of RhB

A milestone for the umbrella organization Historic RhB is the coming into force of the new performance mandate of the Canton of November this year in respect of the cultural heritage of RhB. Based on a broadly supported rail culture strategy additional measures can be realized, securing the history of RhB, conveying and transforming into added value. Besides the maintainance and creation of offerings for the historic fleet of RhB, the RhB archives and objects in the collection shall be secured and made accessible to the public.

It is essential for all members of the umbrella organization Historic RhB to make sure together with RhB, the Federation and the Canton that the UNESCO world heritage RhB will be preserved authentically and at the same time be kept alive for guests and locals.

A competence centre of Grisons rail culture will be created at Bergün

Historic RhB is an umbrella organization of seven associations and two foundations which stand up for the preservation and conveyance of Grisons rail culture. With the location of the offices of Historic RhB at the Rail Museum Bergün the future cooperation with Rhätische Bahn and members of Historic RhB concerning projects and inquiries on Grisons rail culture will be coordinated and processed

Numerous projects of Historic RhB and its members

At the moment an information pool is being created at Rail Museum Albula at Bergün, where members of the associations and of Historic RhB introduce themselves. Running projects of the members like refurbishment of historic RhB rolling stock, special excursion trips or exhibitions will be conveyed as from end of January 2024.

 Likewise the steam engine G3/4 No. 1 „RHAETIA“ is at present being refurbished. The revision of axles and superstructure, the reconstruction of the fire box as well as a comprehensive revision of the boiler are under way for the oldest loco of Rhätische Bahn.

Moreso the ownership of Ge2/4 No. 205 could be clarified. The electric loco will be refurbished during the next few years and presented in front of the Rail Museum Albula next to the legendary crocodile Ge6/6 I No. 407.

Besides the preservation of historic rolling stock of Rhätische Bahn the anniversary offered the opportunity to present together with the UNESCO world heritage days mid of June historic trips, specialist lectures, guided tours or cuisine.

Historic RhB regrets the cancellation of extra trips

As informed by Rhätische Bahn no special trips can be offered until end of March 2024 on account of lack of loco drivers. Historic RhB regrets this decision the more as in particular the historic extra trips are most popular. Domestic rail fans and from abroad enjoy the trips with the crocodile or with a steam engine – they are a welcome advertising media for RhB and for Grisons.

At the same time, however, it is understandable for the umbrella organization that RhB have to concentrate on regular trains so that they can operate according to timetable. Moreso RhB can organise a lot of charter trips with historic coaches or dining cars attached to regular trains. As such rail fans will be able to enjoy other fascinating tours on the network of Rhätische Bahn also in 2024.

Historic RhB still looks confidently into the future and looks forward when nostalgic and special trips will again be possible on the network of Rhätische Bahn.

Source: media release Historic RhB on December 16, 2023

In the attached picture nurse Johanna Gabathuler (Dominique Devenport) travels to Davos in our C66. She plans to regain her illegitimate daughter and got caught between the crossfires of camouflaged agents within spa guests and members of the warring parties in a Davos sanatorium.

To the trailer (Switzerland)

To the trailer (Germany)

This has artist and RhB fan Raphael Schreiner encouraged to create an art project named „Scrap Art“ . It is meant to make aware how transient strength, beauty and technics are and how finite the strongest and worldwide admired and photographed RhB locos have been.

Very fine collages of remains of paint in specially welded steel frames, provided with a precious die stamp or bent metal pieces on wooden plates contrast strongly with – for rail fans – hurting rupture of raw material recycling, where our rail beauties are teared apart and shreddered forever with heavy devices.

In close consultation with the manager of rolling stock of RhB and, of course, also with the recycling centre Vögele at Chur, Raphael travelled couple of thousand kilometres from northern Germany to Grisons, to be on the spot in the right moment for collecting the maltreated raw material for his art projects.

However, old not always becomes new automatically! This fact also goes for the art projects: the proceeds from the sale of the objects – whether on the spot or in our online-auction – serve Club 1889 in realizing its restoration work at valuable historic vehicles, which, fortunately, will not be returned back into the materials cycle.

With the collages and sheet metal parts an original piece of RhB can be bought for the private home at Rail Museum Albula in Bergün. From far it will be possible to participate in the online auction from December 15, 2023 to May 26, 2024.

Bahnmuseum Albula Bergün
Veja Stazion 11
7482 Bergün/Bravuogn

Opening hours:
Tuesday–Friday, 10:0017:00
Saturday, 10:00–18:00
Sunday, 10:00–17:00

Admission:
Adults: CHF 15.–
Children 6–16 Jahre: CHF 11.–
Children up to 6 years: free of charge

To the site Scrap Art  

The restoration of the first and oldest engine of RhB – admittedly – does not only have friends and is in Grisons Cultural Rail circles not always uncontroversial. But a founders train, a composition from the origins of the rail company, cannot be presented by many such companies. We are proud and convinced: RhB-steam engine No. 1 will be the basis, the lighthouse for the extensive RhB rolling stock collection! Similar to the Spanishbrötlibahn-composition of SBB, but original.

With this motivation we have achieved to cover substantial additional cost by means of contributions from private side and from subordinate public institutions.

To the reports

The project is technically challenging in respect of the jobs to be carried out at the Central Workshop Landquart and at North Norfolk Railway, as well as in its coordination. But as it looks like everything seems to be under control and many items have already been performed.

In the coming weeks we will gladly inform in more depth about the past and future project progression. ​​​​​​​

No, better use them for building seating benches for the Rail Museum Albula (BMA) at Bergün. This is what Armin is doing just now in between of other projects. The first prototype is ready. The curved and inviting seating surfaces are strongly inspired by the red, historic benches at the RhB stations. The wheel sets which will partly be equipped with their original axle boxes, can tell a lot of the former industrial axle manufacturing processes.

The benches are meant to be placed at the future great outdoor modelrailroad layout at the BMA. Preserving and reinterpreting is the motto. Micro cracks in the axles can be neglected, narrow gauge is more cosy.

Club 1889 was allowed to present our workshop and the parking hall at Samedan with our rolling stock treasures of 1889 up to 1913, giving us pride and big pleasure.

The interest in our work and in the parking hall at Samedan was overwhelming but questions/discussions on account of the limited time had to be kept short. It was impressive for the depot visitors to learn that during the last 27 years, with a donation investment of nearly 5 million CHF and 100'000 voluntary working hours, around a quarter of the total historic rolling stock of Rhätische Bahn was refurbished. Needless to say that we are proud of this!

The aim was to find out the best photos from 42 submissions of Grisons FairPhotographers.

The popular „Railroad Romanticist“ Hagen von Ortloff explained in detail why the jury has chosen the relevant pictures.

In the next few days we will publish the other photos which reached ranks 2 to 6.

A great thank you goes to Rail Museum Albula for the great event and excellent organization, a repetition in 2024 is obviously thought of.

By the way: the motto of the FairPhoto contest 2023 was „solidarity and cooperation“, a good thing!

The film demonstrates impressively the active action in the driver’s cab, explains the oil firing and portrays peaceful and satisfied passengers.

Recommendable!

To the video

Particularly affected by this are the popular moonshine trips to Alp Grüm, the Engadin triangle trips with our steam engine „Heidi“ but also the Engadin steam trip from Samedan to Scuol-Tarasp as well as the steam trip to Surselva.

Photo André Hinterberger, Winter 2023

There are categories in colour and in black and white. Fortunately three members of our Youthgroup, the Grisons Cultural Rail Youth, have also participated.

On Sunday, November 19, the best pictures will be selected by an expert jury with Tibert Keller and Hagen von Ortloff.

This year 257 photographers, thereof 5 ladies, have bought a FairPhoto pass. The FairPhoto pass was introduced 2017 for our winter steam trip with triple steam engine traction. The pass owners appreciate the information which they receive throughout the year by email and support with pleasure and solidarity the restoration work of Club 1889. Every year we transmit internally a cheque of about CHF 5.000 in the name of the FairPhotographers for one of our refurbishment projects. This happened for the first time in 2017.

By the way: on November 18, 2023 historic steam and electric extra trains will be operating in connection with the FairPhoto contest 2023.

Bahnmuseum Albula Bergün
Veja Stazion 11
7482 Bergün/Bravuogn

Opening hours:
Tuesday–Friday, 10:0017:00
Saturday, 10:00–18:00
Sunday, 10:00–17:00

Admission:
Adults: CHF 15.–
Children 6–16 Jahre: CHF 11.–
Children up to 6 years: free of charge

To the link

Now it will be completed, protected by a tent, with all parts prefabricated at Samedan, like downpipes, windows and doors. In the end the station will accomodate a small signal box for the entry signals of the little station. In the surroundings of the station area one feels as if being in Val Bever, if there would not be so many tracks and some more larch trees. When looking out of the windows from inside there is the impression as if being on-site!

Next springtime, by the way, Club 1889 is planning a small housewarming party together with Steam Rail Katzensee. Club members will be informed in due course.

Photos by Fredy Pfister and Susi Landenberger

Our loyal Club members Anna and Reto Uffer have managed the hotel with great engagement over three decades and will now enjoy their well-deserved retirement.

For Ekkehard Beller, CEO of MANU Touristik, a long-held wish will finally become true, „we are happy to offer to our guests in future the perfect location for their excursions with Rhätische Bahn“.

MANU Touristik was founded in 2014 and offers sustainable weekly package tours including free public transport throughout all vacation regions of Switzerland.

As from now the search is starting for new hosts for the hotel with its unique location within the UNESCO world heritage Albula Bernina.

For Anna and Reto Uffer it is important „that with Ekkehard Beller and his MANU Touristik we have found a local successor who is deeply concerned about the well-being of our regular guests from near and far. For this we wish the best of luck!

To the site of MANU lodge

As it is currently available, the project financing for the associations under the umbrella organization of Historic RhB is expected to be simplified significantly. In this respect a performance agreement will be signed this month by government officials which makes it possible to apply for funds for specific projects at the Canton through the newly founded umbrella organization Rail Culture Grisons, where RhB, the association of World Heritage RhB as well as Historic RhB have a seat.

The relief on the part of the Club Board is big and the waiting for information has now come to an end. Although the existing complex structure of rail associations will not be easier by means of a hyper-umbrella organization, the hope remains that it will become easier for some Grisons rail associations and the rail museum Albula Bergün to finance Rail Culture projects. Plenty of detailed questions regarding the cooperation will surely still be open end of the year and for this all protagonists will be called for and will have to show flexibility.

Club President Fredy Pfister had the opportunity, during a steam trip into Albula valley, to inform former member of the Grand Council, Rico Stiffler of Davos, of the outcome of his Motion to Government seven years ago. He was delighted and more than pleased.

Armin, Theo and Markus loaded the superb piece onto a lorry of Pinggera Transport AG, Bever. It will – on account of the uncertain weather conditions – most probably be conveyed to Zurich through the Vereina Tunnel.

It is quite seldom that such a big station is being constructed far away from the track and only after completion placed next to it. In case of the original it was, by the way, similar: in the course of the preparation of the second Albula tunnel tube the station building had to be moved, even though for a few meters only. ​​​​​​​

To the reports

And not only this, there will be:

• Extra trains (to ride on) with steam engine Heidi and loco 222, even a train with double heading
• A photo contest with Hagen von Ortloff and Club member Tibert Keller as jurors and prize presenters
• Fabulous prizes
• The possibility to get to know drones
• A book market

Those who are interested can visit the specially created internet site:

To the FairPhoto Contest 2023

Thereby our steam engine Heidi of 1902 and the rarely used loco 222 will be in service.

On account of very moderate prices the possibility exists for the whole family to enjoy some great moments during a short rail trip!

Further details can be found here:

FairPhoto contest 2023

PS: The nice photo of the Engadin steam train 2018 comes from FairPhotographer Janick Uebersax

Short and tight, together with many pictures, our project leader records the construction progress of the refurbishment of steam engine RHAETIA, the station tractor 62, the Bistrowagon C114 and, of course, - of particular interest – the completion of Spinas Station 1 : 5.

To the vehicle reports and to Spinas Station 1 : 5

Several tens of thousand CHF support contribution were generated, amongst others 3000 CHF for BB81 of Museum Rail Blonay-Chamby. In its best days the calendar had a print-run of 1200 copies and many collectors were keen on possessing the postcards. This was because the calendar-makers selected samples of all loco types, trains and regions of Grisons and not only the Landwasser-viaduct.

During the course of the years numerous modifications have been made, the last four editions included pictures of FairPhotographers only and the postcards were printed together with the calendar pages. In former times several thousands of postcards had to be inserted by hand.

The printing shop Schraner Druck AG, Zurich – which produced the last editions of the postcard calendar – closed down end of July 2023. The calendar team takes this opportunity to also terminate the production of the calendar. Efforts and cost, in the meantime, are more and more out of proportion to the expected earnings, the time of postcards is definitely behind us. Also for the calendar makers 29 years are enough. One should stop while it is still enjoyable!

When we collected the last calendars the printing machines were disassembled already.

As such the 29th edition 2024 will be the last Grisons Rail Calendar available from Club 1889.

The sent-in and selected pictures, of course, make it worthwhile to buy.

The loyal subscribers will receive, same as before, the calendar on account. The calendars for destination outside Switzerland will be posted end October/beginning November.

To the Calendar shop

Reservations and infos at Bonaduz station.

Reservations

Now there are only 10 new Bemo-models left waiting for buyership. Originally there were 44 items, donated to us by a member who decided to close his collection.

The complete functional diagnosis of all engine parts of RhB steam engine No. 1 at the Central Workshop of RhB at Landquart as well as at North Norfolk Railway in the UK revealed that many more shovels of coal will be required for a successful completion of the project.

But the inspection works are in full swing.

To the auction

For this reason every tractor had its own identity, as historic photos are showing.

Our tractor Tm2/2 62 of 1962 takes this situation into account, by means of historic photos and templates. „Court Painter“ Lorenzo Buzzetti is at present working on it at Depot Samedan.

Renato Feurer (RailGastro GmbH), Patrick Bigler (WAGI Schlieren) and Fredy Pfister (Club 1889) are looking forward to the program and to many visitors who wish to enjoy culinary delights, magics and historics.

The GOURMINO visit offers a time travel-radio play, coffee and Apéro, as well as magics with the Prättigau magic performer Tino Platz. Just come by!

Thanks go to the Limmattaler newspaper for a racy article, which was also published in St. Galler daily, in Zuger newspaper and in Basle newspaper.

Thanks to all participants, the partners, the site group railcar 101, the Railgastro and the rolling stock manufacturer Schlieren, as well as to the Organization Committee Schlieren laughs! ​​​​​​​

The Schlieren festival Schlieren laughs 2023 comes closer. Today the sponsered laying of the track started by Track Construction Company Müller AG. Here – thanks to the fantastic cooperation between Club 1889, RailGastro GmbH and Rhätische Bahn AG – we shall welcome yet another WAGI veteran at Limmattal. The GOURMINO dining car of Rhätische Bahn of 1929. Here all Grisons-Fans will be enjoying culunary delights during the 10 days festival.

GOURMINO stand

And on our own behalf:

Club 1889 will offer a very special rail-day at Limmattal on Saturday, September 2, 2023:

To the offer

On Saturday, September 2, 2023 we can now offer a special cultural rail event, for members but also for guests. During a „Rail Hopping“ the temporary „Schlieren Rail Museum“ can be explored. Altogether seven different historic rail- and tram vehicles can be admired!

The site group 101 will offer a one-hour trip from Zurich Central Station in their own railcar, in the GOURMINO Pizzoccheri will be served and thereafter the latest, extensive renovation work and the RhB-dining car fuselage can be inspected.

The organization committee of Club 1889 is looking forward to many participants!

To the offer

At the same time our Club member Nicolas Michel called attention to his photo book, which we would like to introduce in short hereafter:

Bernina Rail. A railway line, plenty perspectives

The new photo book of Stephan Kenneweg-Kamp, containing archive recordings of RhB, of Repower and Associazione iSTORIA of Poschiavo, is not a technical handbook but an enjoyment and a reading experience, which invites for astonishment and discovery. It is characterised by the possibility to browse through the book from both sides. On one side one joins a summer journey along the route from Tirano to St. Moritz. When turning the book it shows nice views of a winter trip from St. Moritz to Tirano and the characteristics of the operation during a time of the year, in which snow and wind are dominating. It is trilingual (Italian, German, English) and costs 50 CHF. The book cannot be bought in book stores but can be acquired locally at Associazione iSTORIA, at biblio.ludo.teca and at some other selling points.

The 40 photos of the exhibition at Punto Rosso, lasting until August 27, 2023 can also be bought.

Link to the book

Le Chemin de fer Rhétique 2000 – 2020

With the Edition du Cabri, Nicolas Michel has published his third photo book, showing on 232 pages with more than 400 pictures the changes in the RhB rolling stock, by means of train formations in the Grisons landscape.

The book is written in French language and is offered up to the end of September 2023 at 49 CHF (from thereon 59 CHF).

It can be ordered with the coupon in the ATTACHMENT at Association Genevoise du Musée des Tramway (AGMT).

For this reason the idea came up to create an own auction platform which can be used by interested parties in Switzerland with immediate effect.

The auction will run until October 31, 2023.

To the auction platform of Club 1889

The cog wheel steam engine HG3/3 1068 was the last steam loco acquired by Brünig Rail on July 8, 1926. Supplier was Swiss Locomotive and Machinery Manufacturer Winterthur. On September 15, 1965 it was taken out of service and stored as an item of loan of SBB at Meiringen station for 34 years, as from 1966, placed on a socket as a monument reminding of old days of travelling.

Subsequently it was taken over by Ballenberg Steam Rail and stored there. On November 16, 2013, it was heavily damaged following a disastrous depot fire at Interlaken East. After a comprehensive refurbishment at the RhB Central Workshop in Landquart up to end of last year, the former „burnt out ruin“ can now, after around 60 years, inspire again the travellers on its main network.

37 travellers participated in the extraordinary exciting but also summerlike steam trip. Nobody cared about the one hour late departure from Giswil, it was rather impressive how the loco personnel, after arrival and before departure at Giswil handled the turntable and filled up the coal with shovels by hand. Also inside the cab of 1038 strenuous work was done masterly and without disturbance, during two times across the Brünig in one day. A great thank you to the whole team of BDB on the loco and in the train!

Our freshly elected Historic-RhB-President Reto Crameri, thanks to a birthday present of his wife Adriana, has blown out seven red candles (for seven associations) and two white ones (for two foundations) on his personal birthday cake in the cosy bar car.

Our Youth Member Matthias Rapp followed the train with his camera, same as many FairPhotographers.

PS: The marketing of empty runs resp. of empty transfer trips is no longer worthwhile at RhB on account of a new price policy, introduced by RhB rail services.

• Extra train Samedan–Schiers–Samedan with Ge4/6 353 and passenger-, baggage- and freight cars refurbished by Club 1889
• Extra train Zurich Central–Landquart–Zurich Central with „Wyländerli“ of SBB-Historic-Team Winterthur
• Members of Grison-Cultural Train-Youth checked the tickets in the trains
• Freshly picked flowers in the training center Palottis provided for a festive atmosphere
• Three course menu with fresh vegetables from school owned garden
• The Ladies-Gymnastics-Club Schiers attended the guests in an excellent manner
• Sabrina Fuchs, member of the community council Schiers gave an introduction in the community activities in words and in pictures
• Reto Crameri, freshly elected President of Historic RhB, conveyed a welcoming address of the umbrella organization
• All agenda items were accepted unanimously
• Big applause for the volunteers of Club 1889. They have achieved around 4500 voluntary hours at Depot Samedan and on the catering side in 2023
• Unanimous approval of the Board and the Auditors
• Talk with Rico and Ursi Stiffler of Davos as well as with Martin Pfister of Samedan regarding „Motion Stiffler“. A reunion of classmates and a woman poking her husband resulted in approval of the Executive Council, after three attemps
• The dessert was offered by Raiffeisen Engiadina Val Müstair – many thanks to them!

As it has become apparent, Brasser has created a new type of RhB shed, which meanwhile is also being used for the Vereina intervention trains based at Selfranga and Lavin.

About 15 persons each participated in the guided tours through the hall and the various wagons of Club 1889 parked therein.

A post-, a freight car and a passenger coach of former Bernina Rail are witnesses of the three big modes of „goods transport“, for which RhB had a monopoly until the end of the automobile ban in 1925.

From the architectural point of view it is always fascinating to hear about the ideas of the architect to create a beautiful „low-budget-hall“.

open doors engadin

Because of the timber consuming railway construction the surroundings still look rather cleared, in contrast to today, but it allows an unrestricted view at the engineering structures.

After this Mr. Page takes us into the idyllic Mürren with a view to Kleine Scheidegg and thereafter presents a horse-drawn sleigh ride, most probably with tourists in the winterly villages Cavaglia and La Dotta near the Bernina Pass in Puschlav.

At the end one sees a (stormy) sunset at the Matterhorn.

Thank you Georg Trüb for the pointing to the link, it will surely provide little joy to some of us.

Thanks to a survey on our Club 1889 Facebook site it was possible to localize all settings proberly.

To the film

Inside of the historic village, in one of the two tents, the associations had an opportunity to demonstrate their activities. In the Rail Museum Albula guided tours were offered, including the archive. On the tracks there was movement with some historic rolling stock, mainly our founders steam train with „Heidi“, to the great pleasure of children, fans but also Japanese travel groups. For the children some special attractions were offered: from bouncy castle to loco simulator and more. Musical accompaniment was given by barrel organs and by the Brass Band Orchestra of Rhätische Bahn.

The association Barrel Organ Festival Engadin presented an atmospheric gala concert in the Museum event hall on Saturday evening. The event was rounded off with an extensive food selection.

We thank the team of the office of Rail Museum Albula as well as Historic RhB most heartily for the excellent organisation and the numerous discussions, carried out in almost a close circle of a family.

Many club members from Italy, Germany, France, Belgium and Luxembourg found their way to the Albula valley; according to them it was fully worth it.

And, of course, we thank the delegation of WAGI Museum Schlieren who have assisted us at our stand for two days.

Photos by Tibert Keller and Christian Ticar

We wish all those interested a lot of joy – for rainy days or in case of boredom there are many videos to be looked at.

By the way, did you know that Club 1889 is recorded at Wikipedia since around one year?

Media platform

As such also the modern indoor parking hall of 2016 at Samedan, where Architect Romano Brasser and Club 1889 President Fredy Pfister will be pleased to present the building as well as the inside rail treasures.

A unique opportunity to admire the many wagons refurbished by Club 1889.

A registration will be required under:

open doors engadin 2023  

The current edition can be downloaded here:

Magazin die Bündner Kulturbahn

Non-members can acquire the magazine on the spot at Rail Museum Albula or by post. Details can be found in the above link.

Since about two years the editing, the editorial office as well as – from the first edition – the layout are in the hands of members of the club. They work on a voluntary basis. The administration and bookkeeping are managed since two years by the office of Historic RhB at the Rail Museum Albula in Bergün, under the leadership of Roman Sommer.

Tm2/2 62 of 1962 is still in restoration process, while the covered freight wagon K5342 of 1903 as well as the lowboard wagon M7070 of 1903 with loaded military field kitchen of 1911 were refurbished by volunteers of Club 1889 between 2018 and 2021.

Military-freight-train! Over 100 years a central but often forgotten triad in our mountain canton.

Club members will be present next to the train and will be delighted to provide relevant information. ​​​​​​​

Those who are interested in more details and are interested in this cog wheel steam trip can find the reservation link below:

To the itinerary / booking

Apart from the scale and the material of the bricks (plastic instead of clay) there is not much difference from the original.

The roof tiling must be weatherproof, for this reason the about 4000 plastic bricks are UV-resistant, so that the owner and the visitors of Steam Rail Katzensee can enjoy the jewel for a long time.

Cards in postcard format with compact information, which we like to hand out to our young and older visitors.

For this we search constantly:

• Craftsmen who are interested in working with us two times a week in our Samedan Depot
• Members who are willing to assist our activities with a modest amount of CHF 60 per year
• Donors and patrons who like to support a special project of their choice
• Photographers who are interested to be informed about moving, historic photo opportunities throughout the year, at the same time showing their solidarity
• Youngsters who are interested in the Club life and who would enjoy time together with like-minded people

The flyer can be downloaded as PDF on the right resp. below.

Those who register until June 15, 2023, will benefit from 50% discount on all our GV-extra trains of June 24, 2023.

Link to the General Meeting 2023

Length: according to individual requirements (as from 20 metres roll)

Width: 1,40 metres

Price: CHF 60 per metre

Pick-up: upon consultation at Samedan

The cloth was woven in accordance with an original copy of 1897, with typical somehow pathetic „bright“ Swiss cross. It was in use in rail coaches throughout Switzerland until the 1930ies, appears somehow elegant nowadays and feels super good. Lateron synthetics were used for the purpose.

Interested parties are requested to contact:

Club 1889

Armin Brüngger

Suot Staziun 19

CH-7503 Samedan

Mail

The programme for the big 20th anniversary of Historic RhB on 10/11 June 2023 in Bergün is set! We all have something to celebrate.

To the birthday programme

A flyer can be downloaded from the central e-Infopoint.

If you would like to help out with like-minded people during the anniversary, you can register as a volunteer here:

Link

Members will receive mail from our Historic RhB office. In it you will find a membership card for anniversary benefits.

• Spinas 1:5 : the roofing is on the way
• Tm2/2 62 received its windows
• C114 was clad with sheet metal, new heating elements were installed and wooden benches revised

In April the Club helpers were busy again!

To the Depot Reports overview

For our Members, following numerous inquiries:

Even before the official invitations come per post the possibility exists to register for the GM events: the two extra trains and the lunch.

The Board is looking forward to an active participation and pleasant hours together.

To the booking

Following this it is not surprising when the old steel resp. cast shows micro cracks.

This also happened in case of the wheel set of „RHAETIA“. Not all the spoked wheels can be reused.

When checking the axles, other exciting findings were obtained which show how in former times parts of locos were exchanged between one engine and the other, as can be read in the attachment of Armin Brüngger.

In any case, a lot of additional cost will have to be envisaged by the project group „RHAETIA“ when new spoked wheels will have to be casted in the old shape.

Like in 1889? Or somehow different?

This question is exciting as well as complex and not easy to be answered, since contemporary technical requirements, modifications at the loco during 80 years after commissioning, but also details about the original delivery condition are missing.

Club project leader Armin Brüngger has prepared an informative compilation which is helping us as a guideline. This can be found in the attachment. ​​​​​​​

The editorial team of Club 1889, Christoph Benz, Raphael Schreiner, Fredy Pfister, Ueli Custer and Rolf Edgar Lanz, have again ensured an exciting content and an attractive design. The brochure will go to press next week and shall be dispatched to our members mid of June as well as presented at Bergün on occasion of the great Historic-RhB-jubilee on June 10/11, 2023.

Longer articles will be found on the De2/2 151, on the 50 years anniversary of Bernina Express and on the establishment of Historic RhB in 2023. In addition there will be news on Loco 205.

In the preface, the new President of Historic RhB, Reto Crameri from Surava, introduces himself in short and discloses his visions concerning the umbrella organization.

For small preview appetizers click here

Members of Club 1889 have now, after intensive investigation, reconstructed the name plate in brass to be used as casting for the two plates of the steam engine. The initials „L D“ of the former narrow gauge rail Landquart-Davos will follow soon.

In case somebody knows about more details regarding the „RHAETIA“-plate and how it became part of the loco, is welcome to give us respective information.

The craftsmen of the RhB Central Workshop at Landquart do not spare any effort also with respect to the documentation of the restoration work: they have inspected thoroughly the axles of RhB steam engine No. 1 and discovered that the running axle only originates from the „RHAETIA“. Two big drive axles come from No. 2 „PRÄTTIGAU“ and the third one is a replacement part from steam engines 6 to 8. The running axle only is „original No. 1“. The crankshafts also had to be replaced in the course of time since they did not comply with the standards of RhB anymore. An original crank handle, however, can be found on the 4th axle.    ​​​​​​​

The fourth President of Historic RhB

Financial support for young, historic RhB rolling stock

Great Historic RhB anniversary

For the trip to the General Meeting and in most cases also back, we arrange for an extra train; this is tradition for a long time.

And for a couple of years we organize the General Meeting on a date when the extensive round of main- and member meetings in Switzerland is over and the Grisons nature shows its best side, namely in June. Best time for travelling!

On account of the geographical site of Schiers and since we want to offer the trip to members from central Switzerland and abroad, we have chartered even two trains this year:

• From Zurich Central Station we travel by the „Wyländerli“ of the Team’s Be4/6 12320 of Depot Winterthur to Landquart and from there with regular train to Schiers
• From Samedan we will use a mixed extra train with our own cars and the „Oerlikon“ 353 to Schiers

As such members will have a chance to travel in extra trains from Zurich to Landquart retour, from Zurich to Samedan and the same vice versa. A rewarding nostalgic day with a fine lunch at the Schiers female farmers school „Palottis“. There will only be one ticket at a moderate price for all extra trains.

Our members will soon be informed via email about the voyage and the possibilities for booking. All members will also receive an official invitation together with our Annual Report

After last year’s end of service of De2/2 151 of 1909 of former Bernina Rail, it was transferred by means of an early passenger train from Poschiavo to Pontresina on March 23, 2023. It turned out at short notice that the transport on a lowloader from the logistic center Samedan to Pontresina – as originally planned – was not possible since the load would be too high for the new rail bridge near Samedan and would therefore require a long detour.

As such the former luggage railcar was loaded on a road lowloader at Pontresina station – at a track without overhead wiring – by means of a 100 ton crane and moved to the site of Wohlis coach company below the station area of Pontresina where the special track installed on March 10, 2023 was waiting for the historic vehicle already.

Thus 151 has finally reached its retirement place near Pontresina station.

Family Wohlwend, where De2/2 151 will stand under care on the plot of Wohlis Horse Carriage Company are looking forward tremendously to the new arrival in which they will install a simple Cafeteria. By the way, Bernina Rail fans can see the car straight from the station area. The impression is as if the railcar would start moving towards Bernina every moment.

The Board of Club 1889 is very much obliged about the saving of the vehicle from scrapping and the survival in its „natural surroundings“ next to the railway line.

To the preceding article

To the honour-photo-gallery of De2/2 151

The picture series are originating from Ernst Demonti (tranport) and Armin Brüngger (off-loading)

At this point we thank the RhB trainspotters most heartily!

To the FairPhotography

To the Depot Reports

In operation on the mainline will be ABe4/4 501 of 1939, being a milestone in the Swiss industrial design development. It will be accompanied by the „Stiva Retica“ and the socalled „Emperor saloon car“ of 1929.

On the Bernina line the train will be operated by ABe4/4 46 of 1965 which, not long ago, received its outfit of the 1970ies in cooperation with Rhätische Bahn and Club 1889 , now being called the „Goldliner“. It will be accompanied by 2-axle coaches.

On the mainline „Stiva Retica“ will provide for small dishes, on the Bernina line the Steam Friends will take care of the guests in their rolling club bar „Rhätia Stübli“, as well as in our „Filisurer Stübli“.

At Alp Grüm lunch will be served by the wellknown host Primo.

To the travel offer

Since the customer’s service of Postfinance becomes more and more complicated, our Board decided last year to transfer the financial transactions – also with regard to donations – bit by bit to the cooperative bank.

Whoever plans a donation for us (there are enough ongoing projects) will find something suitable on our website.

To the site with bank connections.

Not only the restoration of historic rolling stock means a lot of work but also the documentation of those jobs. It can be inspiring to browse through them . . . we would be delighted about new helping hands!

Our Club member and rail photographer Gunther Lange had the idea to prepare, on this occasion, a picture gallery on our homepage, presenting the popular, small, former luggage rail car of Bernina Rail of 1909.

For this reason our Fair Photographers are invited to search for their best pictures of 151 and to send them to us.

Posting of pictures to: admin@club1889.ch

To the picture gallery

To the preceding article on 151

As the president of the foundation Laube mentioned during his presentation, the foundation is meant to create funds and the procurement of financial resources in order to preserve, together with RhB, first of all a BoBo I in green colour with the characteristic chromium letters for the future shuttle train in the Landwasser world – to be ready for operation as from 2024 – and after a BoBo I in red colour.

As a long-term goal the two foundation originators have in mind to realize the restoring of a BoBo I in green colour with the elaborate restoring of the driver’s cab in the condition of the 1980ies. The necessary financing of „Green and Chromium“ shall be organized through other foundations and fund raising.

The foundation wishes to become member of the umbrella association and has raised a respective application with the Historic-RhB-board a few weeks ago. The board agreed, a definite acceptance will be decided upon at the Historic-RhB-assembly of delegates in coming April.

BoBo I and Club 1889

What has Club 1889 to do with BoBo I ?

Following the establishment of the foundation an activity can continue which was started by some members of Club 1889 a few years ago:

• A club member initiated at RhB in autumn 2000 the labelling of the 5-million-kilometer-mark, showing how important and hard-working those indispensable engines were for RhB in former times
• As early as in 2011 club members launched a signature collection for the preservation of a BoBo I, against the former Historic-RhB-board, when responsible persons within RhB announced the scrapping of all BoBo I. Within a few days the signature collection reached 1700 signatures, to be presented to the RhB director.
• Club member Peter Pfeiffer drew up a two-page story about the history of the loco series in the magazine „Bündner Kulturbahn“ so that the BoBo I remains a topic amongst fans (the article can be found as PDF in the attachment)
• In 2016 Club members managed to arrange for a BoBo I photo shooting for Fair Photographers of the four remaining BoBo I in front of the rolling stock parking hall at Samedan on occasion of the 70 year anniversary of that loco series, to call attention to the preservation of one unit
• In 2018 Club member Christoph Benz wrote a highly regarded article on the BoBo I in „Bündner Kulturbahn“ under the heading „moving Bündner rail icon“. This article inspired Thomas Herzog, according to his own statement, to initiate a foundation for this loco together with Tilmann Laube (the article can be found as PDF in the attachment)
• The young members of Club 1889 of Bünden Cultural Rail nominated the red BoBo I in 2021 for their ritual loco and carried out a photo contest in social media under the heading  #bobo I_forever
• On account of the high monetary expenditure for the preservation of one loco, being one to two million Francs, because of other projects and because of the negative attitude of RhB for a long time for the preservation of a BoBo I, Club 1889 did not follow-up anymore this subject as from 2021

As such it is a big pleasure and satisfaction that in particular the preservation and care for a BoBo I will go into new hands and the project will start with fresh power and new energy. For RhB loco-fans the hope remains that it will be possible for the new foundation to generate the necessary funds so that a future gap in the historic loco fleet can be avoided and rail fans worldwide can enjoy the unique RhB rolling stock family with an operable, red BoBo I.

Two BoBo I, one Ge4/4 II and also a Ge6/6 II have been reserved by RhB for the foundation resp. those locos will not be scrapped for the time being.

To the list of RhB rolling stock worthy of preservation 

With full joy our project leader Hansruedi Burkhalter today has taken pictures of the first result of new painting of our Tm2/2 62 at the paintshop of the RhB-Central Workshop at Landquart – it is infact a big pleasure!

Now the inscription will follow soon.

To the page of Tm2/2 62

In a homey atmosphere, with stops at almost all stations, exploring each and every meter of track in Upper Engadin while enjoying Engadin specialities and drinks in our „Filisurer Stübli“…….a great fun with forecasted good weather conditions!

And our „Heidi“ will be in motion, forward and backward, while a cup of good coffee will help to feel even more relaxed, together with swinging music by Barbamax, who cares for a good atmosphere with his wooden and metal pipes along all stations.

Spontaneous guests can buy a ticket with the conductor, the atmosphere in our „Filisurer Stübli“ is expected to be good as usual.

The pump for RhB steam engine No. 1 of 1889 is at present being refurbished at the Central Workshop, a further valuable testimony of the internationally cross-linked rail industry of that time.

Whether this particular pump was installed in our steam engine from the beginning or changed in between, however, cannot be determined any more.

The innovative engineer and founder of the company, Deputy to the Reichstag, Knight of the Emperial-Russian St. Annen-medal third class, the Royal-Italian Order of the Crown, member and honorary member of a number of international academic societies and associations, Alexander Friedmann, died at young age, before the commissioning of the pump with serial number 5167.

Virtually the grinded surface looks like an artwork. ​​​​​​​

At North Norfolk Railway in the UK staff members have started ordering of the necessary copper material for the fire box and to process the boiler barrel as well as the upright boiler. Pictures will soon be available.

At Landquart the chassis was dismantled, the axles were checked, one of the water tanks reconditioned and the driver’s cab was also dismantled. Hopelessly rotten parts will be replaced. In addition RhB-staff member Reto Mark discovered, while sandblasting the handlebars of the driver’s cab, that they are of rare hand-forged origin and can be utilized fully 1:1. During sandblasting of the cab side walls the boreholes of the original inscription LD 1 were discovered which had been closed with copper pins. Armin is now searching for a manufacturer of the loco plates to be produced as close as possible to the original.

At Samedan Armin Brüngger is restoring meticulously the six lamps of the loco and Club member Max Kessler has turned wooden shut-off handles for the water level gauge.

To the Depot reports

They operate in the morning from Samedan via St. Moritz to Pontresina, then to Zuoz and back to St. Moritz.

In the afternoon from St. Moritz to La Punt-Chamues-ch and from there via Pontresina, St. Moritz back to Samedan.

The „Filisur Stübli“ of Club 1889 offers drinks and snacks in between and Barbamax plays music of last decades on his barrel organ at stations with extended stopovers.

To the timetable / tickets

Following the premiere, the storytellers and the board members of Club 1889 met at the service wagon of BMA for a barley soup and fine Albula valley Apéro-plates, letting pass by all what had happened, with a glass of  tasty wine.

To the movie

This has inspired Fredy Pfister and Marcel Hani of Club 1889 in summer 2020 to get together at Pontresina the protagonists of the repatriation of 182 from France and to let them tell the story about its refurbishment at Samedan/Poschiavo, the restart in operation, how they organized the necessary funds, how they transported the loco and organized the restoration, all in all, what they inspired in general to carry out the job.

Supported by private video material from 1999 to 2010, provided by family Wohlwend of Pontresina, involved in the project, a documentary film emerged which shows in a manifold way at first hand how 182 found its way from a „rusty French jungle“ into the „hospital“ Poschiavo and finally back on its own wheels to the „sunny hills of Bernina Rail“.

The film not least shows the joy and courage, the determination, the patience and persistence, mutual trust as well as the great know-how amongst the Club members, mainly of active and retired rail employees, which resulted in the „small miracle of Bernina“ – across national and linguistic frontiers.

Teaser

The 182 protagonists will gladly answer any questions after the film show.

Movie premiere on January 28, 2023 at 2 p.m. at Rail Museum Albula, Bergün

(Swiss German/French with German sub titles, currently 75 minutes)

A lively exchange of ideas, professional and personal, took place and lead to new understandings and new findings for the Club 1889 delegates.

A most heartily thankyou to Brünig Steam Rail and DFB-Wagon Workshop Aarau ; nice that you have spent so much time with us!

In picture 1 from left to right:

Fredy Pfister (President Club 1889), Michael Gerber (Brünig Steam Rail), Roger Henchoz (President Brünig Steam Rail), Markus Kick (Treasurer Club 1889), Armin Brüngger (Project leader Club 1889), Marcel Fischer (Foreman steam engine Heidi Club 1889), Adrian Kehrli (Brünig Steam Rail)

In picture 3, bottom right: Werner Beer (Head of Wagon Workshop Aarau) ​​​​​​​

Our loco-foreman Ernst Demonti is full of joy and is thanking the personell of Depot Poschiavo and Rhätische Bahn for this perfect Christmas present!

Tomorrow the engine will be transferred back to its regular place at Pontresina.

The FairPhotographers habe been informed accordingly.

Moreso „Tm2/2 62“ will be included in the official stock register of RhB under the new number as of January 1, 2023. For the transfer the Tm was marked provisionally with the new number to avoid misunderstandings within the rail personnel at the stations.

The box of the tractor will be painted in oxyd red while the chassis becomes light grey. In addition it will receive a period correct inscription.

He has participated in many domestic and foreign associations and had strong interest in the rolling stock of RhB and former FO resp. BVZ. He was a passionate photographer, but has also written many professional articles and was a true web-pioneer.

As such a wellknown and comprehensive rail homepage, rail-info.ch, meanwhile counting a lot of years but still impressive on account of its wealth of information, is originating from his initiative.

Manfred, amongst others, has looked after the homepage of the Upper Bavarian section of Steam Rail Furka-Bergstrecke, a railway cery close to him from his Munich home.

Manfred having been an IT-expert, also was a pioneer in relation to webcams. He installed one of the first webcams at all at the balcony of a room of Hotel Grischuna at Filisur in 2001, a camera which became cult in the scene for decades.

During the last few years Manfred was not in the best of health and has looked intensively after his mother.

• The rafters of the roof for the model „Spinas 1:5“ have been installed – now the builders have to think about how to remove the station – once it will be finished – from the shed. In any case, the model will have to be tilted in order to move it outside through the door.

Depot report Spinas 1:5

• The young employees of Metal Construction Pfister AG from Samedan are measuring our Bucunada with a green laser for the production of the outside replacement metal sheets. Each sheet is slightly different because of varying window roundings.

Depot report C114

• Armin is entirely in his element: he is overhauling at present the lamps of RhB steam engine No. 1 „RHAETIA“. They do not seem to be from 1889, as they look like, but will now be refurbished carefully with much original input and will be added with a petroleum lamp appearance. On such a steam engine many parts were exchanged over the last decades – as we will soon be reporting.

Depot report RHAETIA

We thank them most heartily, we now have a wonderful souvenir on the visit of this remarkable loco to Club 1889.

To the movie

Tomorrow will be the packing and posting day for our Grison postcard calendars of the 28th year. Today collected fresh from the printing shop, each of them hand sorted and bound together. The new edition is almost reserved completely. When scrolling, each month will be a surprise, so much can be revealed.

Old and very young locos and cars, somehow strange landscapes and special photo points can be expected by the buyers, far from the red record train RhB, but a little bit of same as well…..

Long-standing subscribers will receive it on account. ​​​​​​​

For orders click here

The „chevaliers de la table ronde“ are toasting each other in best mood at this event, from left to right: Rico, Armin, Markus, Toni, Werner, Oliver, Theo, Rico and Gian.

Sinzeras gratulaziuns!

Last Saturday the group members were assisted by six BKJ-Members, who themselves, for once, wanted to lend a hand.

Two youngsters each grinded alternating the historic axles, which one day are supposed to be used as wittily seating areas for the guests of Rail Museum Albula.

One of them helped project leader Hansruedi Burkhalter preparing Tm2/2 62 for the paint job at Landquart and three of them had the opportunity to inspect intensively the rail treasures in the Club own part of the shed. Dirty hands and clothing were inclusive.

Club member Rico Florin cooked for all a Risotto with Engadin sausages and vegetables, so that none of them had to be hungry during the afternoon. As a final highlight the whole group pushed Tm2/2 62 across the sliding table to its parking space.

Jonas Krummenacher, track layer at RhB and active Club Member, together with his colleagues has extended the track by an important element.

He writes:

„During the last few days I have, together with colleagues of Rail Service Albula, installed the old track-bumper at the new deadend track at the turntable. The bumper originates from the old Fenaco-apron track (track 24) at Thusis. I have dismantled it, changed it from C-profile track to profile VST36 and installed it with new screws at the new place. A subsequent test drive with Tmf2/2 89 revieled that the track can now be used“.

A most heartily thank you to the RhB-track construction department! It shows that also historic rail infrastructure deserves attention and the turntable becomes more interesting.

There was a good reason for this: The Grisoners together with Museum Operation Manager Patrick Bigler opened officially the „Grison Square“ and admired an important exhibit of the Museum, the „General Guisan coach“, also known as fragment of a MITROPA-dining car. The square together with the MITROPA-kitchen is an ambassador for historic RhB in the Greater Zurich area. Patrick Bigler explained vigorously the history of the museum – and, the historic-RhB-board decided with large majority to use a capital „H“ for historic in future.

Many thanks to the Wagians for the warm hospitality and for the Apéro!

On the picture (from left to right): Reto Crameri (President of the Foundation Council of Rail Museum Albula) Walter Schmid (President of the Interest Group Zügen-Landwasser IGZL), Michael Marugg (representative of Friends of Narrow Gauge Railways Thusis), Patrick Bigler (Operations Manager of WAGI Museum Schlieren), Noah Balzer (President of Albula-Rail-Club Bergün), Christian Meyer (President of Association of Steamfriends of Rhätische Bahn), Roman Cathomas (President of Association of World Heritage RhB), Andy Jenny (President of Association of Salon-Coaches Rhätische Bahn) and Daniel Wachter (Manager Logistics WAGI Museum).

Photographer and as such not in the picture: Fredy Pfister (President Club 1889)

This year’s last board meeting of historic RhB was held on November 12, 2022 at WAGI Museum Schlieren in an inspiring atmosphere.

There was a good reason for this: The Grisoners together with Museum Operation Manager Patrick Bigler opened officially the „Grison Square“ and admired an important exhibit of the Museum, the „General Guisan coach“, also known as fragment of a MITROPA-dining car. The square together with the MITROPA-kitchen is an ambassador for historic RhB in the Greater Zurich area. Patrick Bigler explained vigorously the history of the museum – and, the historic-RhB-board decided with large majority to use a capital „H“ for historic in future.

Many thanks to the Wagians for the warm hospitality and for the Apéro!

On the picture (from left to right): Reto Crameri (President of the Foundation Council of Rail Museum Albula) Walter Schmid (President of the Interest Group Zügen-Landwasser IGZL), Michael Marugg (representative of Friends of Narrow Gauge Railways Thusis), Patrick Bigler (Operations Manager of WAGI Museum Schlieren), Noah Balzer (President of Albula-Rail-Club Bergün), Christian Meyer (President of Association of Steamfriends of Rhätische Bahn), Roman Cathomas (President of Association of World Heritage RhB), Andy Jenny (President of Association of Salon-Coaches Rhätische Bahn) and Daniel Wachter (Manager Logistics WAGI Museum).

Photographer and as such not in the picture: Fredy Pfister (President Club 1889)

Most suitable, an eye catcher! At present the kitchen is being assembled in the most appropriate way at Depot Samedan.

thanks to this year’s acceptance of the revision concerning Grisons public transport, RhB and the Canton can now release relevant and decisive funds.

RhB will invest in particular in a four-part Landwasser-shuttle-train Filisur-Alvaneu (we are curious ourselves how it will look like) with adaptations for barrier-free entering at Alvaneu station as well as a new stop „Schmitten Landwasser Viaduct“ for the admittance to the westside viaduct-observation platform.

We from Club 1889 have some slight hope that one day during summer/autumn-weekends also a „Bridge Steam Train“ will be inaugurated, starting at Samedan, going to Alvaneu, turning at Filisur, continuing to Wiesen station and at last, after a longer stay at Rail Museum Bergün/Bravuogn returns to Samedan. A particular highlight, of course, would be the climbing of the Albula ramp with 25 km/h, with open windows and plenty of steam!

What other train but our „founders train“ with steam engine „Heidi“ would be suitable for this? We hope, we dream.

According to own reports RhB as system leaders are developing further the system ZSI 127 on behalf of the Federal Office of Traffic for other narrow gauge rail companies. An additional pioneer role of Grisons State Railway!

Let us hope that the RhB product developers will succeed in establishing attractive offers so that our loco can operate more intensively with extra trains and in the charter business at Bernina.

From the technical point of view „il coccodrillo del Bernina“ will now be well equipped.

It is time now to present the great photo gallery on the farewell trips of October 7 to 9, together with some pictures of the transport to Depot Chaulin.

We thank all photographers most heartily for the many photos sent to us, as such the visit of „Belle Dame de Romandie“ will remain in good memory for a long time.

To the Photo Gallery

We thank all, the members of Museum Rail Blonay-Chamby, Rhätische Bahn and all our guests for their contributions, patience, donations and motivation, which they have rendered for our four-year venture. Unforgotten, the „Train du coeur“ with „Belle dame de la Romandie“ – across Switzerland and throughout all Swiss linguistic borders!

A comprehensive picture gallery of the last 3 days of BB81 performance will be activated here soon.

In between the shuttle trips it will be possible to arrange for a boat tour on lake Puschlav with MS „Sassalbo“ for a 20 CHF day ticket. ​​​​​​​

C 114 «La Bucunada»

Tm 2/2 62

Bahnhof Spinas 1:5

The wellknown coachman and haulier from Pontresina, Werner (Wohli) Wohlwend presented to us his wonderful self built models of Bernina Rail locos 81 and 182 as well as the station Ospizio Bernina in scale 1:22,5, an eye-catcher at our stand. A lot of visitors of all generations enjoyed the gauge IIm models but also the ride in one of the three operating trains of the Tree Nursery Train with two steam engines and a Diesel loco.

A thank you to all who have visited our stand and have come for a chat.

The winners of the contest

Below you will find the names of the winners of our raffle on Saturday and Sunday (the trip vouchers are for two persons):

Raffle on Saturday

• 1st prize (ride in „Süd Express“ on October 7, 2022): Ueli Zürcher, Basle
• 2nd prize (shuttle trips on October 8/9, 2022): Lyo Miesch, Aarau
• 3rd prize (free Club membership for 1 year): Hansruedi Fuchs, Ebikon

Raffle on Sunday

• 1st prize (ride in „Nord Express“ on October 9, 2022): Vreni Christen, Oberflachs
• 2nd prize (shuttle trips on October 8/9, 2022): Paul Gerhard, Brugg
• 3rd prize (free Club membership for 1 year): Peter Müller, Zwingen

The winners will be informed in writing.

Review of the large scale festival on Nau.ch

After all, the wagons restored by Club 1889 are operating on gauge IIm tracks at many places around the world. The youngsters intend to fill the Midland with a fresh „scent“ of RhB, of the original.

Our aim is to sell as many tickets as possible for the farewell trips of BB81. As such we will provide for an online salessite and will arrange for a large competition with a raffle at 3 p.m. each time. A number of rides for two persons for the three farewell trips on October 7 to 9, 2022, but also a one-year membership in our Club are offered as prizes.

Our special guest is the wellknown Engadin coachman Werner (Wohli) Wohlend from Pontresina, who participated actively in the repatriation and restoration of our Bernina crocodile in 1999 and who moreover will present self-constructions of BB81 and 182 in gauge IIm.

The „large scale railway event“ held during late summer 2022 for the second time at Schinznach Tree Nursery Rail and Gardencenter Zulauf at Schinznach-Village shall bring closer this exciting and versatile hobby to the public.

The festival is appealing mainly to families, beginners, returners and owners of garden railways in gauge G and IIm. The large scale railways festival offers an ideal platform for dealers, producers but also for suppliers of accessories and for associations.

For the young visitors a garden railway corner will be provided, for them to enyoy their own „railway feeling“.

Middle of October 2022 it will be transferred back to Western Switzerland.

We therefore offer two mountain trips during October 7 to 9, 2022 – Friday evening from North to South and Sunday vice versa. Between them, on Saturday and Sunday, four shuttle trips each are planned with BB81 between Poschiavo and Miralago.

For the FairFotographers an extra freight train will operate on October 8/9, 2022 with our Bernina crocodile.

Infos regarding the BB81 tours you can find here.

Pictures of previous extra tours you find here.

In addition to this the driving coach ABDt1711 will also survive at Albula valley: the company Schutz Horticulture and Landscaping of Filisur will set it at their company premises.

What will happen with the threesome composition parked at Reichenau-Tamins, however, meanwhile remains an exciting secret.

Our two Engadin Club members Max Kessler and Max Waibel from S-chanf have been engaged strongly in the organisation.

Our Edition Club 1889, of course, is pleased to provide for the respective bulletins.

For the gala performance and the Sunday Brunch it needs a registration.

For the registration click here.

At the moment we are still waiting for the notification of RhB regarding the timetable and the charter price. As soon as this will be available we will start with the sale of the tickets. We hope it will not take a long time.

Our target is that as many as possible Bernina Rail-, BC-, 181- and 182 fans will have a great time – and, of course, also the FairPhotographers.

Information regarding the last tours of BB81 will be published here.

Mid of May two volunteers (RhB employees with driving tests) concluded a driver’s training on the Tm2/2 so that they are now able to move the tractor within the vehicle parking hall.

Many thanks to Rhätische Bahn, it makes our work much more easy.

On the picture one can see our Club members Hansruedi and Marcel (head of steam engine 11).

The Belle époque is the time of prosperity of Swiss mountain-, cure- and lake tourism around 1900 during which also important hotel palaces, ships and tourist railways were built. Some of those technically remarkable and aesthetically pleasing industry objects and buildings do exist still today and are partly under cantonal or national cultural heritage protection.

Authentic, partly privately tailored clothing and travel accessories of that time, polite manners, attentive enjoying and having pleasure and fun are part of the game. Decelerated travelling with enjoyment and attentiveness – and a nice way to enjoy Swiss monuments stylishly while at the same time meeting pleasant people. That means „living history“!

For this reason we from Club 1889 have introduced an extra sub-site on bahnoldtimer.ch for perceptible Swiss tourism history.

On that site, by the way, you can find an excellent link to numerous stories around the Belle époque and many other links to suitable era shopping!

To the site

The outward journey in an extra train – fantastic location

The Club members travelled to Samedan in an extra train from Chur. It was drawn by a genuine Engadiner, the „Oerlikon“ Ge4/6 353 of 1914 and was composed of historic passenger-, Post-, baggage- and freight cars, all refurbished by Club members over the last 26 years.

As location for the event the modern, bright and friendly MIGROS-restaurant was chosen in the new commercial center of Samedan. 
The transit of the participants was carried out in extra busses from Samedan station direct to the restaurant. There a delicious three-course menue was served together with table wine, beer and minerals – somehow strange for a MIGROS-restaurant. 

Our guest speakers

As official guest speaker for the Annual Meeting spoke the Samedan Commune President Gian Peter Niggli. He mentioned the central functions of Samedan concerning education, business and health and was pleased with the investments of Rhätische Bahn at Samedan, the running modernization of the infrastructure and the trains – and last but not least with the impressive activities of Club 1889. He was surprised to see many familiar local faces amongst the 122 participants of the meeting. 

In 2018 Gian Peter Niggli in his capacity as member of the Cantonal Government, voted for the Motion Stiffler which since then brought about noticeable motion in the discussion regarding public financing of historic RhB rolling stock in Grisons. The motion of former member of Cantonal Government, Rico Stiffler, by the way, was initiated partly by members of Club 1889.

Shortly before the beginning of the meeting RhB-Director Renato Fasciati arrived. He explained – to the surprise of the participants – his lobby activities for historical rolling stock on Cantonal and national level to allow amendments of law for the financing of historical rail matters by means of public funding. For that he earned a lot of applause.

Renato Fasciati, however, also referred to a passage in the annual report of the Club President, blaming the criticism of RhB sale- and marketing devision for its pricing policy, while at the same time expressing his hope for a better solution with regard to the high prices for private charter trips (and as such for nostalgic trips organized by the associations).

Unanimous agreement of all agenda items, voting with applause

All agenda items, in particular the annual financial statement, the budget and a small change in the statutes regarding the composition of the board were agreed unanimously by the meeting.
With applause Sylvia Philipp was elected for Club delegate at historic RhB and Markus Kick as treasurer. With his engagement he will relieve the President enormously.

Active Bünden Cultural Rail Youth

Marcel Hani, Luca Angelini and Sven Arnold presented, following the panel meeting, last year’s activities of the Club Youth Group, founded in 2021 as „Bünden Cultural Rail Youth“ and reported of the friendly gathering with the former rivals in the Volg-contest, the scouts Arbor Felix from Arbon. New outdoor activities are planned with them.
Luca and Sven checked thoroughly the tickets in the extra train.

Sven, at the end approached with a wink Renato Fasciati, saying that BKJ would be extremely happy about the preservation of an operational red BoBo I.

A big thank you

A special thank you goes to Raiffeisen Engiadina Val Müstair for having sponsored the drinks, to the fabulous team of MIGROS at Samedan under the leadership of Jochem Poldervaart and chief cook Daniel Kern as well as to the Club Catering team in the extra train, Irène Plüss and Andy Jenny.

Photo gallery

The photo gallery of the Annual Meeting you will find here

The two railcars are stored in a shed at La-Mure-Rail since their delivery in 1999.

The Ministry for Cultural Affairs of the Department Isère, being the owners, wish to dispose of the vehicles up to the end of 2022, otherwise they will be scrapped. At the moment they are stored in a shed at Saint-Georges-de-Commiers and would have to be collected from there.

The railcars are visually in good condition and to a large extend complete. For operation, however, the electric part would have to be overhauled completely, requiring investments in the millions, as investigations of the French side revealed some time ago at the Central Workshop in Landquart.

Perhaps there are buyers who can use the railcars in stationary condition. It would be sad enormously for them to be scrapped.

It is not the question of proposals for usage at Grisons or elsewhere, but only for serious purchase offers. An operation at RhB with respective technical refurbishment is not at issue.

Further pictures of the railcars can be seen as from minute 1:50 in the youtube  video here

Interested parties get in touch here: admin@club1889.ch

(The Club could mediate the sale)

On Sunday, June 26, 2022 it was possible to attend two guided tours by Romano Brasser and Club President Fredy Pfister within the scope of „open doors Engadin 2022“.

A pleasing number of visitors attended and admired not only the architecture but also the passenger-, Post-, baggage- and numerous freight cars refurbished by Club 1889.

„Open doors“ is a well organized event offering for those who are interested in architecture a weekend of open doors of public and private architecture pearls of today and of last centuries.

On Sunday, June 12, 2022 also we are looking forward to visitors who can admire, amongst others, the beautiful founders train of Club 1889.

It is surely worthwhile to study the carefully and authentically refurbished wagons, each of them can tell its own story.

We have in the train, in the baggage car F.4., a comprehensive information stand, where we intend to sell all our souvenirs at top prices. Offered will be, amongst others, replica of historic loco signs of SBB, books, clothing and the popular green seat cushions.

We are looking forward to your visit to the worth seeing village of historic RhB, at the entrance to the Central Workshop, where all our Partner Clubs will present themselves – a fantastic, common cause!

We thank RhB for the „right of hospitality“!

To the program of events

To the Club vehicles

The invitation also contains the link as well as the password which are necessary for online registration. ​​​​​​​

He organized the re-photographing of five historic pictures of Bernina Rail from the end of the twenties to beginning of the forties.  Upon his request Club 1889 arranged for the train compositions accordingly and for the extra trains to enter Alp Grüm on the correct track. He had to catch the trains in moving condition, without stop, which not only made it necessary to be ready at the correct location but also to press the button at the right moment. Even the loco drivers were asked by Alain to look out of the BB81 in accordance with the historic originals and to lift both pantos – Alain’s photo series are a pearl of the BB81 services!

It is exciting to compare the „twin pictures“ with a difference of age of 80 to almost 100 years.

We will publish one twin picture every day within this article as from Tuesday, May 31, 2022.   

As it was told, the participants enjoyed the event, thank you Gion for your mission.

It includes all what we need for our meeting at Samedan on June 25, 2022:

• Agenda items
• Annual report of  the President and all project leaders
• Annual financial statement, auditors report and budget
• Proposals of the board

In addition the booklet is also a richly illustrated chronicle about the events in the Club. Members will receive the report together with the invitation shortly per mail. ​​​​​​​

FairPhotographer Christian Dittmer has taken pictures of the train near Las Agnas.

Las Agnas, between Bever and La Punt, had some importance for Upper Engadin as transshipment point for the mountain pass intercourses, as guest house for the rural communities, for military conscription, as well as for post office services until about 1865.

Club members are entitled to a discount of 40% for private family charter trips by RhB. The catering in the train can be offered by the Club.

Pictures originate from FairPhotographer Christian Dittmer.​​​​​​​

Around 49 travellers were on board to visit the glacier garden at Cavaglia.

The opening of a new, short round tour from the lower entrance through the Cavaglia gorge is an attractive addition to the fabulous garden.

Since the utilization of the train was rather poor, Club 1889 decided to invite a tenant group of the ARGO Foundation Chur for the event. It was a great pleasure for the group to join the historic extra train and to look into the deep and big glacier pots.

As the train started at midday the travellers received a fine lunch parcel with cheese and St. Moritz sausages.

Fortunately, the weather played along, nobody became wet. The Club thanks those who participated most heartily. With sufficient travellers only such trips can be carried out, the more as extra trains always mean a cost-intensive exercise. ​​​​​​​

We wish our guests much fun and reasonably good weather!

In this context the unique opportunity will be offered on Sunday, June 26 to visit the wooden parking hall at Samedan train station, with our rolling stock not in operation at that time, together with architect Romano Brasso and Club President Fredy Pfister.

For the inspection tour a registration is necessary.

For „Open doors“ and registration click here

An interesting full day program was certainly worthwhile to participate in the premises of SBB Historic at Windisch.

• Kilian Elsasser, President of VINTES, presented a new, interesting network project of the association: „Swiss Industrial Heritage“ (SIH)
• Pius Knüsel, President of the umbrella organisation of adult education centers explained in his lecture advantages and disadvantages, chances and limits of networking on the basis of social networks
• Marco Castellaneta, President of Swiss Castles (DSS) and Director of the Aargau museum made thoughts on how a profitable network, based on DSS, can efficiently be organized
• Christiane Baum, Manageresse of European Route of Industrial Heritage (ERIH), presented the europewide activities of association of industrial culture together with the „routes of subjects“, which can be marketed profitably in the touristic field
• Hans Estermann of Swiss Tourism presented his wellknown organisation whereby in case of a mandate they can assist in an advisory capacity
  
• In the afternoon a tour was organized of the archive and collection of SBB Historic; the archive is indeed impressive!

 It became obvious to the conference participant Fredy Pfister that the subject

„Industrial Heritage“ is too much overlooked in Canton Grisons, meaning that a common connection of historic industrial associations with a trade mark is missing, and as such a common network does not exist.

In this context it must be remembered that our Canton, with RhB and its infrastructure, impressive power plants, closed mines, closed lime burners, fine and small timber and grain mills etc., is rich of industrial goods.

Many of those industry relics can be explored during walking tours.

A good reason for our Club 1889 President to register the Club at VINTES spontaniously – hopefully a first step in an exciting network „Industry culture and technology history of Switzerland“, also in Grisons.

The President of the Foundation historic Appenzeller Rail, Alex Bless, greeted the participants with a hearty „be welcome“ in front of the extra train arranged for the recent 25-year anniversary of Club AG 2.

The extra train composed of the red BCe4/4 30 of 1933, the red B11, also of 1933, as well as of the blue/cream Bistrowagon C4 10 of 1946. The volunteers enjoyed an Apéro in the historic Bistrowagon while on tour to Appenzell, whereafter they either explored on thereown the pretty village or waited for the preperation of the Fondue in the Bistrowagon.

After the rich Fondue the trip continued in a regular train to Wasserauen. This is an end point of Appenzeller Rail, whereby it was planned after 1900 to extend from there into Säntis Rail which, however, was not realized as explained by the Grand Doyen of Appenzeller Rail Foundation, Hans Hug, during the reception of the volunteer group in front of the Museum of Appenzeller Rail. The volunteers explored with great interest the many rolling stock treasures owned by the Appenzeller Rail Foundation, being accessible partly to the public in the museum. Of interest in particular was the Diesel rail car BDFm2/4 56 of 1929, belonging to the most valuable historic vehicles of Switzerland, being in original delivery condition.

The trip back took place again in the historic extra train together with members of AG 2, who in the best mood were on their way back home after their anniversary meeting. Many interesting discussions were held in the train between members of AG 2 and of Club 1889.

A very hearty thank you to the Appenzeller for the top organization and the completely successful event!

Stefan Barandun from Filisur in his lecture before the assembly demonstrated how a village had to deal with the rail construction until 1909.

RhB Director Renato Fasciato explained at the end of the convent the „fateful year“ for „historical RhB“, due to the forthcoming vote for the law of public tranport, whereby in case of an acceptance the financing of Bünden rail culture by the Canton would become possible.

During the following Apéro in the big exhibition room with a rich buffet the delegates, Club presidents and guests were the first to be presented with an edition of the freshly printed „Bündner Kulturbahn“ magazine. An interesting reading for the way back home and an evidence of the culture rail force prevailing at present in Canton Grisons. ​​​​​​​

The Swiss historian and rail journalist Lorenz Degen takes those who are interested to Lebanon, in the course of the first bahnoldtimer.ch-morning pint on Sunday April 24, at 10:00 a.m., and you will be astonished.

Number of participants is limited to 100

To the lecture

Ennio allows a pleasant inside view into his hobby, the taking of photographs of RhB-trains in spectacular scenery.

To the audio contribution

For the offer click here

At this point the work progress will be documented on a daily basis, see ATTACHMENTS.

Primarily many maintainance facilities and station infrastructures will open their doors and thereby allow rare, also guided inside views behind the scenes of the rail operation.

The rail nostalgia and the development of public rail transport will not be a priority like in former anniversaries..

SBB are offering strongly reduced day-tickets for the trips to the various events.

We from Club 1889 together with our friends from historic RhB will, upon invitation of RhB, be present at Landquart on June 11/12 on occasion of the event Region East of RhB – with our walkable founders train in the „historic RhB village“ near the Central Workshop.

To the official homepage

Since founding of historic RhB in 2003, RhB therefore have worked out a list of rolling stock to be preserved for posterity – carried out by the steering committee in their regular meetings as from 2003.
This list was checked and completely updated by responsible persons of RhB and members of historic RhB end of 2021/beginning of 2022. The list was newly devided into the categories „active vehicles“, „open applications“ and „museum“. 

Thereby it shall be pointed out which vehicles

• are actually in operation 
• reserved for a future restoration project and must not be scrapped
• can only be preserved in case of availability of funds, whereby the RhB management must first arrange for permission of the „application“
• are still existing in museums, sheds etc. or shall be preserved and kept

The active vehicles will be operated in historic trains and will be maintained by RhB and Club 1889. They will be available for audience-track sessions, for private charter trips, but also for popular photo safaris, liked in specialist circles.

When checking the list it becomes obvious that only with support of the state sector an integral preservation of historic RhB vehicles will be possible. The proposed modification and actual consultation process of the law concerning public transport in Grisons leaves some hope. The volunteers of associations and RhB do whatever they can, more is not possible – financially and in terms of human resources. It needs the understanding of those responsible and of the general public of Canton Grisons that the Canton owns a touristic railroad treasure, for which Grisons is envied by many.

With a new, additional list of possible train compositions it will be demonstrated how historic vehicles can be utilized in special event trains. These special event trains contain a tremendous touristic potential, mainly when the modernization of RhB will be fulfilled.

It will be trains in which windows can still be opened allowing to experience the network and the landscape with all senses.

To the list

Well known, less known, even unknown and outrageous stories around the historic RhB will be provided for reading.
All contents were packed in a new, fresh layout by Club member Raphael Schreiner, and State Councillor Mario Cavigelli gave hope for the future of Grison’s Rail Culture in a nice preface.
Those who are interested in more facts and in the makers of the magazine can find more information in our website bahnoldtimer.ch

To the site „Bündner Kulturbahn“ 

Towards the weekend the craftsmen Sandro Crameri and Roman Hainz of        A. Freund timber construction company delivered the new window side elements to the Samedan Depot, mortised and mounted – unbelievable, this speed. ​​​​​​​

During Armin’s visit the co-owners Sandro Crameri and Roman Hainz were milling on various wooden beams with the aid of gauges and Armin, on this occasion, was able to examine a neat stack of side-wall beams already finished.

Offered were two tours in the morning and one in the afternoon.

Those small tours with our steam engine „Heidi“ together with the neat founders train coaches are particularly eventful since the train moves on idyllic and diversified routes where the steam engine has to be uncoupled on a number of occasions, bypassing the train. This makes it an entertaining trip.

Meanwhile Club 1889 takes care of a varied Catering in the train with sale of drinks and small dishes in our „Filisurer Stübli“, with a 1st class service in the Coupé coach of 1903, with an informative „Journey Gazette“ in the form of the „Bündner Post“ of  1896 and with nostalgic barrel organ music of last decades by our Club member Barbamax.

A young youtube-film team of Kantls „Rail One“ from Romandie arranged for some interesting and motivated film recordings.

According to RhB such trips are planned to be carried out also next year.

Under perfect weather conditions 71 travel guests toured in our founders coaches to the former MITROPA-restaurant to enjoy fine Pizzoccheri. In the afternoon the extra train went to Bernina Lagalb, back to Alp Grüm and from there back to St. Moritz. The train was attended by many FairPhotographers, so that plenty of pictures found their way into the social media.

In the evening Club member Roger organized a parade at Depot Pontresina for the FairPhotographers and the travel guests – during the „blue hour“.

On the Homepage you will find a picture gallery of the trip

Severing of the ceiling anchors was done and the studs extracted carefully so that the firebox could be separated from the boiler. In addition all copper rivets were drilled out.

All those jobs were performed meticulously in order not to damage the firebox and its coating.

On February 10 the firebox was removed from the coating. At this stage the staff of NNR was pleased not to have found additional damages. The firebox will now be replaced by a new one.

The photos were made available to us by staff members of Swiss Railway Services (SRS).

To the page of RHAETIA

„The oldest RhB wagon relates tales from its life“ and „A day at Samedan station in Winter 2003“.

Perhaps one or the other Club member can be met there.

Between them there are an impressive number of associations, foundations, cooperatives and rail companies which take care of preservation, maintainance and operation of historic rolling stock, be it trams, narrow gauge or normal gauge items.

In the last few days, the team of bahnoldtimer.ch of Club 1889 in a first phase have collected plenty of information from the social network. Based on various facebook posts in respective channels a lot of feedback came in – in particular from Romandie. The interactive railroad map has meanwhile been supplemented and adjusted. It obviously gives pleasure to interested fans to get fast and clear information about the various institutions on the homepage .

Now an exciting second phase is starting, requiring some assistance:

In the next days and weeks the bahnoldtimer.ch-team plans to contact associations with the request to enter details on their trips, opening times etc. in an online-agenda.

If many of them cooperate – most probably not all of them – the result will be a tool for planning journeys at historic rail grounds from anywhere. What we find fascinating with this idea is that also small but fine rail companies will be considered and get publicity.

Let us hand round the bahnoldtimer.ch-coffee cup on voluntary basis across Switzerland! Our logo may, of course, be downloaded , spread and linked, the best prerequisite for an exciting network, which will surely also be of interest for external travel operators.

To bahnoldtimer.ch

With this it is possible to gain inspirations and to make plans for the next weekend.

On occasion of a joined meeting the three have planned to integrate additionally and more comprehensive all „historic railways“ of Switzerland in the travel platform bahnoldtimer.ch

This implies, besides plenty of own research work, that other rail companies and associations will cooperate and will furnish us with details of their events.

The money will flow into the refurbishment fund for our popular Bernina entertainment coach „La Bucunada“ C114, the former 3rd class wagon of 1910, which needs an urgent and extensive refurbishment.

We thank all courageous RhB-Trainspotters!

Also „Raphaela“ (named after our Club graphic designer Raphael Schreiner, who took the photo) is thanking you with a charming smile.

The FairPhotoPass was introduced for the first time five years ago, when we organized a big steam weekend. Meanwhile far more than 1000 of such solidarity passes were issued by Club members.

To the FairPhotoPass 2022

A most heartily welcome Daniel, we exempt you from the membership fee of the current year, congratulations!

But just as well we welcome Stephan, Bernhard, Adrian and Simon in the Club family, who this evening, based on a post on our facebook site, have joined Club 1889 on short notice.

The members, whether active or not, are our biggest capital. Each and every membership increases our weight to influence successfully our concern for an even more attractive RhB, not only towards RhB but also towards Canton Graubünden, for providing slow moving but enjoyable nostalgic trips in historic trains.

In addition each and every member provides for the necessary funding of further fantastic rolling stock refurbishments.

Member No. 600, by the way, was Kurt from Deinze in Belgium, we have introduced him during our General Meeting at Le Prese in 2019. With a picture of our founders train, originating from a photo of Fabian Schelbert taken on January 16 this year, we thank all of you.  ​​​​​​​

The agenda is currently being updated continuously and shall further be extended by trips/events swisswide.

Rail companies/associations will receive mails from our two Club members

Gitti Götz and Livio Caduff with the request to issue them with their prospective trips/events. Soon more news will come, as soon as the site will be restructured.

The Agenda is impressive already now

Insider’s tip: booking of 1st class!

For booking click here

For RhB, however, it is of great importance to continue to share the passion and joy for the rolling pleasure with everybody and to serve all rail fans with additional information furtheron.

As such in the RhB website will newly be added under „Pool for Rail Friends“

the popular loco services and the employees magazine „Info Retica“. Tickets and gift vouchers already issued within the RhB Club package will remain valid.

The Club newsletter, the facebook group, the auction platform as well as all other benefits and Club events will be cancelled.

The platform www.rhbclub.ch will be dicontinued per end of January 2022.

RhB Club thanks all members for their patronage!