The Bernina railway line is a single-track 1,000 mm metre gauge railway line forming part of the Rhaetian Railway (RhB). It links the spa resort of St. Moritz, in the canton of Graubünden, Switzerland, with the town of Tirano, in the Province of Sondrio, Italy, via the Bernina Pass. Reaching a height of 2,253 metres (7,392 ft) above sea level, it is the third highest railway crossing in Europe and the third-highest railway in Switzerland. It also ranks as the highest adhesion railway of the continent, and – with inclines of up to 7% – as one of the steepest adhesion railways in the world. The elevation difference on the section between the Bernina Pass and Tirano is 1,824 m (5,984 ft), allowing passengers to view glaciers along the line.
Two Rhaetian Railway ABe 4/4 III multiple units with a Bernina Express train on the Bernina railway line, passing Lago Bianco
Winter scene near the top of the Bernina Pass.
Bernina railway line with the Palü Glacier in the background. Postcard from ca. 1910
St Moritz station
The Rhaetian Railway, abbreviated RhB, is a Swiss transport company that owns the largest network of all private railway operators in Switzerland. Headquartered in Chur, the RhB operates all the railway lines of the Swiss canton of Grisons, except for the line from Sargans to the cantonal capital, Chur, which are operated by Swiss Federal Railways (SBB CFF FFS), as well as the line from Disentis/Mustér to the Oberalp Pass and further on to Andermatt, Uri, which is operated by Matterhorn Gotthard Bahn (MGB). Inaugurated in 1888 and expanded from 1896 onwards in various sections, the RhB network is located almost entirely within Grisons, with one station across the Italian border at Tirano.
RhB train approaching the Bernina Pass.
Ge 4/4 I with push–pull train and two extra coaches shortly before arriving in Saas. Küblis is visible in the valley at left.
Glacier Express between Reichenau-Tamins and Bonaduz.
Two Glacier Expresses coupled together run through the Rhine gorge.