Fan trip with Swiss NG Rotary 2010

The Rhaetian Railway in Switzerland has run its annual fan trip with Rotary XRot9213 over the summit of the Bernina Pass. These two videos, with Italian commentary, show how they use a spreader to cut snow from the side of the track into the middle, and then use the rotary to throw the snow clear.




Video Part 1




Video Part 2

They were giving the steamer an easy time. The modern diesel/electric rotaries that they use daily on the line in winter regularly have to cope with 10 foot snow drifts. The line operates passenger and mixed trains daily throughout the year. It runs from St. Moritz in Switzerland to Tirano in Italy, and is the only line to go over the alps rather than tunnel trough them. This year marks the centenary of the opening of the line, and lots of special events are planned.

Don Newing
Derbyshire, UK