Finding the train paradise!

There exists a town of the North side of the Gotthard tunnel in Switzerland that is called Wassen.
It is famous among trainspotters from all the world because the railway passes by the town at three different altitudes. Yes, it is a town located in a mountainous region and has a population of approximately 450 inhabitants. It’s most famous monument is of course the Church which is placed in evidence on a hill. It is reported among passengers that whoever takes a railway journey through the tunnel sees this Church three times at three different altitudes. How is this possible?

I have already related of the presence of a push locomotive behind freight trains for an increase in tractive force to allow the load to gain altitude. But how does a heavy train gain altitude?
In the mountainous regions there are often many tunnels to allow passages through the alps. However, some of these tunnels are helicoidal. This means that the tracks take an helicoidal route. This can be imagined like steps that are attached to a round pillar (take the form of a helix). If the steps are many, we will be realising that we are sweating from effort and are thus gaining potential energy and altitude. The same happens with trains going through these tunnels.

When heavy freight trains leave from certain ports such as Rotterdam Waalhaven or Zeebrugge they end up encountering alps when making their way to Italy. They thus have to take the route just mentioned. In Wassen there thus are three of these helicoidal tunnels.

Up to a few months ago, we had only heard of this place, but upon a quick visit, we fell in love with it. There is much beauty to be admired.

Firstly, on the highest level, the trains can be seen in the middle of a natural environment surrounded by the alps. On the second level the trains go through the town passing by the station that was in service up to a few years ago. On the third and lowest level, the tracks cross the bridge under which there is the Reuss river. Who stands on the last level, also called Wattingen Kurve, can see the valley opening up as the trains go through it.

We decided to go a day to see the trains pass by and to photograph them in their scenery. We first started off from the bottom (as usual ;) ) at the Wattingen kurve. Standing on the grass near a farm we were able to see the trains go towards the opening valley and following the course of the river.

RABDe 500 from the lowest level

Moving from there, we ended up at the top level, but instead of taking the path we went up through a steep hill. It was very difficult making it up, for our camera equipment was heavy and the sun was making us sweat.

Getting to the hill...

Trains from the top level

The hill is placed between two tunnels, and the view from there is just spectacular because the town and the railway at the second level can be clearly seen. This gave us another advantage while up there, for we knew when the trains were coming and could get our cameras ready.

View of the second level from the hill

After encountering a few other trainspotters there (for the place is well known) we moved into town (this time taking the path) and onto the second level, where the station used to be. It is also a particular place because it has a tunnel that ends the station. Therefore trains can be seen entering and coming out of the tunnel. We were lucky while there because we also saw a Re 4/4 (11161) in green livery.

Re 4/4 11161 approaching the station of Wassen with an IR

I highly recommend this place for all who are passionate about trains, beautiful scenery and views but also for those who simply want to journey and see the beautiful environment that surrounds them.