Night is falling at 5.20 PM in the Albula valley, when "Allegra" railcar ABe 8/12 # 3502 is pulling the six panorama cars of the BERNINA EXPRESS (BEX 950) from Tirano to Chur over the 65 metre high and 136 metre long Landwasser viaduct, landmark of the Albula line and part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site Albula Bernina since 2008. The curved viaduct was built between 1901 and 1902 from local limestone, the Albula line between Thusis and Celerina in the Engadine was inaugurated in 1903 with steam traction. In 1919 the line was electrified with 11 kV 16,7 Hz AC. The waxing moon is looking over the great scenery, with the 2622 metre high Muchetta mountain in the background and the Leidbachhorn on the left. The BERNINA EXPRESS is on the 4 hours journey over 196 bridges and through 55 tunnels between Tirano and Chur. The "Allegra" railcar is pulling throughout, changing at Pontresina from the 1000 V DC overhead system of the Bernina line to the 11000 V 16,7 Hz AC of the main network.
An ongoing and growing collection of photos that IMHO reveal the awesome, but seldom seen beauty of the railroad world because most of us don't get out after sundown. From dusk to dawn, lights are on! (And I continue to find new "Lights In The Night"!)
