To celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Brig-Gletsch railroad line, a unique event entitled"100 years of technology on the mountain" will take place in August 2014. On Sunday, August 17, 2014, rail, road and air will be brought together in one place.
Rail, air and road together
The Furka Mountain Steam Railway with its 4 operational locomotives HG 3/4 No. 1, 3, 4 and 9 will be presented, while the Antique Airplane Association Switzerland (AAA) Zurich with its oldies will ensure a visit from all over Switzerland. The AC 4 Comte, the oldest operational aircraft, will also be flying over.
The pilots can land at Münster airfield and show off their gems. To complete the trio - rail, air and road - all classic car owners are invited to drive out their treasures and present them in Oberwald.
What could be nicer than traveling over the impressive Nufenen, Grimsel and Furka mountain passes to the most beautiful glacier high valley in the Alps on a glorious summer Sunday?
All types of historic vehicles are welcome at the event - two, three or four-wheeled, small or large, elegant or sporty - every oldie will find its enthusiastic fans. Just make sure they are not too young.
This event makes a substantial contribution to the live cultural experiment "100 years of technology on the mountain". Rolling cultural heritage in action.
The detailed program including entry information is explained on the Obergoms website.
On Sunday, 17.8.2014, numerous helpers will be on site in Obergesteln from 9.30 a.m. to regulate and direct traffic. Participants should follow the traffic signs as far as Obergesteln.
The organizers of the meeting will be happy to answer any questions: Robert Hümbeli from OSMT ZUG and Bernd Link from Gotthard Motor Park.
The Brig-Gletsch railroad line celebrates its 100th anniversary
The Brig-Gletsch railroad line of the former Furka-Oberalp Railway was officially opened 100 years ago. A real pioneering achievement that deserves to be honored on its 100th anniversary. Together with the Dampfbahn Furka-Bergstrecke (DFB), the tourism organization of Obergoms/VS and other partners, the Matterhorn Gotthard Bahn is celebrating this 100th anniversary from 15 - 17 August 2014 in Oberwald.
1914: The opening
The Compagnie Suisse du chemin de fer de la Furka Brigue-Furka-Disentis (BFD), dominated by French financiers, began building the railroad line from Brig to Gletsch in 1911. Around 900 workers were involved in the construction of the 46.27 km long line. A height difference of 1,087 meters had to be overcome, for which 22 larger bridges and leaning viaducts, two helical tunnels and three rack and pinion sections were built. The Brig-Gletsch line was officially opened on June 30, 1914.
1914 - 2014: The rest of the story
Construction work on the continuation towards Disentis was halted during the First World War. It was not until 1926 that the entire line from Brig to Disentis was opened. Year-round operation became possible in 1982 with the opening of the 15.44 km long Furka Base Tunnel. In 2003, the Furka-Oberalp Railway and the BVZ Zermatt Railway merged to form today's Matterhorn Gotthard Railway. Even today, the Furka Base Tunnel plays a central role for the MGBahn as the only year-round east-west connection through the Alps.
The mountain line was closed for the time being after the Furka Base Tunnel was opened. As early as 1983, railroad enthusiasts founded the Furka Mountain Line Association and began restoring the railroad facilities and repairing the rolling stock. After 25 years of voluntary work, the entire mountain line from Oberwald (VS) to Realp (UR) was open to traffic again in August 2010. Today, the historic trains of the concessionary Dampfbahn Furka-Bergstrecke AG carry around 30,000 passengers over the Furka every summer for a good 70 operating days.
2014: The 100-year anniversary
Together with Dampfbahn Furka-Bergstrecke (DFB), the Obergoms Tourismus tourism organization and other partners, the Matterhorn Gotthard Railway is celebrating the 100th anniversary of the Brig-Gletsch line with a big, three-day anniversary weekend from 15 - 17 August 2014.
Detailed information on the individual days and highlights can be found on the Obergoms website.
