The rhythmic chug of century-old steam locomotives echoed across the Swiss Alps as railway enthusiasts, history lovers and international visitors gathered to celebrate the 100th anniversary of one of Europe’s most remarkable heritage railways—the Furka Steam Railway. The centenary festivities, held from July 3 to 5, 2026, transformed the Alpine villages of Realp and Gletsch into a living museum of Switzerland’s railway legacy, honouring a mountain railway that continues to captivate travellers a century after its inauguration.
More than just a nostalgic rail journey, the Furka Steam Railway represents a rare success story in heritage conservation, where dedicated volunteers rescued a historic mountain railway from abandonment and transformed it into one of Switzerland’s most authentic tourism experiences.
A Journey Through Switzerland’s Alpine Heart
Stretching approximately 18 kilometres between Realp in the canton of Uri and Oberwald in the canton of Valais, the Furka Steam Railway carries passengers across one of the country’s most spectacular high-mountain landscapes. Operating on the original mountain line of the historic Furka-Oberalp Railway, the heritage service traverses steep gradients, dramatic gorges and pristine Alpine meadows at elevations exceeding 2,000 metres.
The route winds through the legendary Furka Pass, one of Switzerland’s highest mountain passes at 2,431 metres above sea level. Renowned for its dramatic hairpin bends and breathtaking panoramas, the pass offers uninterrupted views of rugged peaks, alpine streams, wildflower-covered meadows and the impressive Rhône and Mutt glaciers, making the journey one of the country’s most scenic rail experiences.
Unlike modern high-speed rail, the Furka Steam Railway encourages travellers to slow down and absorb the Alpine landscape from vintage wooden coaches pulled by meticulously restored steam locomotives. Every whistle, puff of steam and climb through the mountains recreates the romance of early twentieth-century rail travel.
Celebrating 100 Years of a Historic Alpine Railway
The anniversary commemorates a milestone in Swiss railway history. In July 1926, the continuous Furka-Oberalp Railway connection between Brig and Disentis was officially inaugurated, creating a vital transport corridor linking central Switzerland with the Valais region and opening up remote Alpine communities to year-round connectivity.
To mark the centenary, the three-day celebrations featured historic steam operations, exhibitions of heritage rolling stock, technical demonstrations, special train services and family-friendly events. Visitors also enjoyed exclusive anniversary journeys, opportunities to explore historic locomotives up close and exhibitions highlighting the engineering achievements behind one of Switzerland’s most challenging mountain railways.
The event attracted railway enthusiasts from across Europe and beyond, reaffirming Switzerland’s reputation as one of the world’s premier destinations for heritage rail tourism.
Saved by Passionate Volunteers
The railway’s continued existence is itself an extraordinary story of preservation.
Following the opening of the Furka Base Tunnel in the early 1980s, regular rail traffic shifted to the new tunnel beneath the Alps, rendering the original mountain route redundant. The historic line was closed, and its future appeared uncertain.
Instead of allowing the railway to disappear into history, hundreds of volunteers—often affectionately referred to as the railway’s “pioneers”—came together to rescue the line. Over decades, they painstakingly restored locomotives, rebuilt track sections, repaired bridges and tunnels, and revived historic rolling stock using traditional engineering skills.
The first section reopened as a heritage railway in 1992, while the complete route between Realp and Oberwald became operational again in 2010. Today, the railway continues to be maintained largely through volunteer commitment, preserving not only historic infrastructure but also the specialised craftsmanship required to operate vintage steam locomotives in challenging mountain conditions.
The James Bond Connection
The Furka Pass enjoys an additional place in popular culture thanks to one of cinema’s most famous spy thrillers.
The dramatic mountain road running alongside the railway featured prominently in the 1964 James Bond classic Goldfinger, starring Sean Connery. The spectacular car chase through the winding Alpine pass introduced millions of filmgoers to the breathtaking scenery long before the region became a globally recognised tourism attraction. Today, Bond fans frequently combine a steam railway journey with a drive along the iconic mountain road that appeared in the film.
A Living Piece of Swiss Cultural Heritage
The Furka Steam Railway is far more than a nostalgic attraction. It represents a living example of Switzerland’s commitment to preserving industrial heritage while promoting sustainable tourism experiences.
Historic metre-gauge steam locomotives—many more than a century old—continue to operate on the original mountain line after painstaking restoration. Every operating season requires extensive maintenance, specialised engineering expertise and thousands of volunteer hours to ensure the railway remains both historically authentic and operationally safe.
The railway operates during the summer months, when snow-free conditions allow visitors to experience the original mountain crossing that once formed part of the legendary Glacier Express route before the construction of the Furka Base Tunnel.
A Must-Experience Attraction for Rail and Nature Lovers
For travellers exploring Switzerland beyond its famous panoramic trains, the Furka Steam Railway offers a uniquely immersive experience that blends engineering history, cinematic heritage and some of Europe’s most spectacular Alpine scenery.
Whether watching steam locomotives negotiate steep gradients, photographing century-old trains against glacier-covered mountains or simply enjoying the slower rhythm of heritage travel, visitors encounter an authentic slice of Swiss history that continues to thrive through remarkable community dedication.
As the railway enters its second century, the Furka Steam Railway stands not merely as a preserved monument to the past, but as a vibrant reminder that heritage tourism can preserve history while inspiring future generations of travellers to experience Switzerland’s extraordinary mountain landscapes at the unhurried pace of steam.
