The opening of the Gotthard line in 1882, with the first Gotthard steam locomotive at Göschenen station, returning from Milan (Swiss Museum of Transport)
Keystone
Wattwil station in Toggenburg, pre-1909 (ETH library, Zurich)
ETH Bibliothek Zürich
Federal Railways staff at Mendrisio station, 1910 (Keystone)
Keystone
A Swiss Federal Railways passenger train, with a Be 4/8 locomotive, at Airolo station, 1920 (Keystone)
Keystone
A steam locomotive on the Brünig Pass, 1925-1930. (ETH library, Zurich)
ETH-Bibliothek Zürich
Neuchâtel station, 1936. (Leo Wehrli/ETH library, Zurich)
Leo Wehrli/ETH-Bibliothek Zürich
The 'station' at Riveo in the Maggia Valley, 1936. (Leo Wehrli/ETH library, Zurich)
Leo Wehrli/ETH-Bibliothek Zürich
Punctual Swiss trains are a well-known cliché, and foreigners are often amazed at Swiss trains pulling in and out of stations bang on time. The Swiss Federal Railways is a bit of a national treasure for the Swiss. Although people like moaning from time to time about prices and packed trains, they are nevertheless proud of how their track infrastructure works.
The Federal Railways was founded in 1902 following the fusion and nationalisation of private railway lines. Today, the government is the majority shareholder in the Federal Railways.
A look through various photo archives uncovers some fascinating images from a time when travelling by train still meant excitement. The railway connected people in Switzerland’s cities and small towns to the outside world.
Switzerland’s economic development is closely linked to the construction of the rail network and stations of various sizes, places where goods changed hands and workers appeared.
Warehouse operators and industrial enterprises sprang up, and the station was the first thing tourists saw upon arrival. In larger towns and cities, guesthouses, hotels and increasingly shops lined the main street running to and from the station. It’s no coincidence that Zurich’s Bahnhofstrasse is still one of the most popular – and expensive – shopping addresses in the world.
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The Albula and Bernina lines which stretch from Thusis to Tirano are extraordinary examples of the technological innovation, showing man’s mastery of the Alpine landscape. They became a Unesco World Heritage site in July 2008.
You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here. Please join us!
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.