L'Italo-Americano

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 5, 2024 www.italoamericano.org 26 L'Italo-Americano T o d a y , w e a r e m a k i n g a t r i p outside of Italy. Well, at least for a little while. Yes, because we're taking a closer l o o k a t t h e B e r n i n a Express, a scenic train jour- ney that uniquely links the Belpaese with one of its clos- est neighbors, Switzerland, on a route that offers travel- ers the opportunity to experi- e n c e t h e t r a n s i t i o n f r o m I t a l y ' s p i c t u r e s q u e l a n d - scapes to the majestic Swiss Alps. A dream-like journey across the Alps The Bernina Express con- nects Chur in Switzerland to Poschiavo and then Tirano, in Italy. The journey is well known for its stunning pas- s a g e t h r o u g h t h e S w i s s E n g a d i n A l p s a l o n g the Rhaetian Railway, a route that's been recognized as a UNESCO World Her- itage Site. The train travels over 196 bridges, through 55 tunnels, and covers a dis- t a n c e o f 1 2 2 k i l o m e t e r s , o f f e r i n g a n e x t r a o r d i n a r y view of the Alps and their surrounding landscapes. The itinerary, particularly its Italian segment, is charac- t e r i z e d b y t h e d r a m a t i c descent from the heights of the Swiss Alps to the Italian town of Tirano, located at an e l e v a t i o n o f 4 3 0 m e t e r s above sea level. Tirano is a charming village in the Val- tellina Valley known for its diverse hiking routes, biking trails, and rich culinary expe- riences. One of its most well- k n o w n l a n d m a r k s i s t h e 16th-century Sanctuary of the Madonna of Tirano, notable for its elaborate inte- rior decorations, including statues, stuccoes, and a sig- nificant 2200-pipe organ, one of the largest in Europe. Along its journey, the train passes through the panoram- i c a r e a a r o u n d L a k e Poschiavo, with stops at Le P r e s e a n d M i r a l a g o , b o t h offering beautiful views of the lake: this is, perhaps, one o f t h e m o s t e n c h a n t i n g m o m e n t s o f t h e t r i p . The Bernina Pass, reaching an altitude of 2,253 meters (7,391.73 ft) at the Ospizio Bernina station, is one of the highest points reached by t h e B e r n i n a E x p r e s s : i t offers spectacular views of the surrounding mountains, including Piz Bernina, the highest summit in the East- ern Alps. Other notable fea- tures include the Morter- atsch station, which provides vistas of the Morteratsch Glacier, and the Alp Grüm s t a t i o n , k n o w n f o r i t s breathtaking panoramas. But the Bernina line's sig- nificance extends beyond its scenic beauty, to move into the field of engineering and architectural achievement; indeed, the route features numerous tunnels, viaducts, a n d b r i d g e s , d e s i g n e d t o n a v i g a t e t h e c h a l l e n g i n g a l p i n e t e r r a i n . O n e o f i t s most impressive structures i s t h e B r u s i o C i r c u l a r Viaduct, an engineering marvel consisting of a sin- gle-track nine-arched stone s p i r a l l o o p i n g t h r o u g h a 3 6 0 - d e g r e e c u r v e . T h e viaduct, which is a vital part of the railway and among the most iconic images associat- ed with it, was designed to enable the train to adjust to a significant change in eleva- tion in a limited geographi- cal area. Essentially, the cir- cular design allows the train t o l o o p b a c k o v e r i t s e l f , thereby managing a steep gradient without the need for a cogwheel system (more about it in a few lines). Con- structed in 1908, the viaduct is considered a true marvel of civil engineering. A bit of history The history of the Bernina Express is deeply connected with the development of the R h a e t i a n R a i l w a y , w h i c h was recognized as part of the UNESCO World Her- itage in 2008. The con- struction of the Bernina line dates back to the early 20th century, between 1908 and 1910; initially, it was operat- ed independently until it was integrated into the Rhaetian R a i l w a y n e t w o r k i n t h e 1940s.The Rhaetian Railway is a major rail network in the Swiss canton of Graubünden a n d i s r e n o w n e d f o r i t s extensive network of nar- row-gauge tracks. As mentioned, in 2008 the Bernina line, along with the Albula line of the Rhaet- ian Railway, was recognized as a UNESCO World Her- itage Site. This distinction was awarded not only for the technical ingenuity involved in constructing the railway but also for how it blends h a r m o n i o u s l y w i t h t h e alpine landscape. Indeed, U N E S C O h i g h l i g h t e d t h e importance of the balance between the railway's engi- neering feats and its sensi- tive integration into the nat- ural environment, making it a unique example of human ingenuity coexisting with nature. The world's steepest railway without a cog- wheel system But the Bernina line is noteworthy also for another reason: unlike many moun- tain railways that use cog- wheel mechanisms for extra grip on steep slopes, it relies solely on adhesion (friction between the train wheels and the rails) to climb gradi- ents as steep as 7%. This is p a r t i c u l a r l y c h a l l e n g i n g given the alpine environ- m e n t i t t r a v e r s e s , w h e r e w e a t h e r c o n d i t i o n s c a n affect the rail's traction. But what is a cogwheel system, you may ask? Well, a cogwheel system, or a rack- and-pinion railway system, is an engineering solution designed for trains operating on steep slopes, typically found in mountainous areas; i t c o n s i s t s o f c o g w h e e l s attached to the train's loco- motive that mesh with a rack r a i l — a s p e c i a l r a i l w i t h t e e t h — l a i d b e t w e e n t h e standard tracks. The cog- wheels engaging with the rack rail provide additional traction, essential for climb- i n g s t e e p i n c l i n e s o r descending them safely. In conventional rail systems, steep inclines pose a chal- lenge due to insufficient fric- tion between the wheels and the rails, leading to potential slippage, but the cogwheel mechanism effectively over- c o m e s t h i s b y e n s u r i n g a firm grip on the rack rail, thus maintaining consistent traction. An American exam- ple of the mechanism is the M o u n t W a s h i n g t o n C o g Railway. Interestingly, the ability of the Bernina line to manage the inclines along its route without a cogwheel system makes it not only an interesting engineering feat but also a smoother and qui- eter ride for all passengers. Operation Across Sea- sons T h e B e r n i n a E x p r e s s operates differently depend- ing on the season, reflecting the diverse climates of the Swiss Alps. During the sum- mer, it runs as a special train from Chur to Pontresina and onwards to Tirano, featuring m i n i m a l s t o p s a n d t h e p a n o r a m i c c a r s t h a t i t i s famous for. This service is tailored for tourists, offering extensive views of the Alpine landscape. In contrast, dur- i n g a u t u m n , w i n t e r , a n d spring, the train integrates with regional transport ser- v i c e s t o s e r v e b o t h l o c a l c o m m u t i n g n e e d s a n d t o u r i s t s , s h o w c a s i n g t h e train's dual function as a vital transport link and a tourist attraction. LUCA SIGNORINI A fairytale journey across the Alps with the Bernina train The Bernina Express over the Brusio Viaduct (Photo: Deksakoncom/Dreamstime) and, bottom left, the train's eye- catching appearance (Photo: David Taljat/Dreamstime) ALL AROUND ITALY TRAVEL TIPS DESTINATIONS ACTIVITIES

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