Railway heaven

Railway barriers, locomotives, dining carriages - Rolf and Roger Wymann pay homage to railway history at a former station master's house in Kerzers. The museum is open from March to the end of November. Visitors are requested to call in advance: +41 (0)31 755 89 04 (Pictures and text: Christoph Balsiger, swissinfo) swissinfo.ch
Rolf (63) and his son Roger (33) proudly present the legendary locomotive GE 6/6 406, better known as the "Crocodile", from 1921. "My wife wasn't thrilled about the idea of setting up a museum," recalls Rolf, "but she said the engine had to have pride of place in our garden [because it] was her favourite." swissinfo.ch
More rare specimens are kept on a disused stretch of track opposite the Wymann house. swissinfo.ch
"I’m fascinated by the amazing variety of rolling stock once used by the railways." swissinfo.ch
The Wymanns have acquired several engines and carriages over the past few years, with transportation costs paid by sponsors. "Without them, we wouldn't have a museum." swissinfo.ch
"I'm familiar with nearly every engine; I worked as a mechanic for the Swiss Federal Railways in Bern for 40 years." swissinfo.ch
"We restore everything ourselves and we still have lots to do!" says son Roger Wymann. swissinfo.ch
One of the jewels in the Wymann railway crown is a dining car from the Simplon Orient Express built in 1907. swissinfo.ch
Visitors can wander through the carriage where members of high society once dined as they travelled. swissinfo.ch
"When we finish restoring it, the Orient Express carriage will once again welcome guests. We intend to hire it out for special events," says Roger Wymann. swissinfo.ch
A lot of the fixtures and fittings date back to the Belle Epoque. swissinfo.ch
The beautiful teak inlay has lost little of its former brilliance. swissinfo.ch
"My grandfather, father and brother all worked for the railways and so did I for 40 years. Even though I’m retired, I can’t leave the railways behind. It’s still my entire life and will probably remain so until I die," says Rolf Wymann. swissinfo.ch