DFB : PRESS RELEASE OF 20 JULY 2000

With loud blasts on their whistles, the first two steam-hauled passenger trains reached the hotel complex at Gletsch and the Rhone Glacier on 14 July 2000. Almost twenty years after the closure, a great wish of railway fans came true. Some 12.9 kilometres of the total 17.7 kilometres of the Furka mountain line between Realp (Uri) and Oberwald (Valais) are now at last being operated by veteran trains again. The remaining section of the Dampfbahn Furka-Bergstrecke (DFB – Furka Steam Mountain Railway) is planned to be completed by the year 2006.

The final spurt
The restoration of the section of the line between Furka and Gletsch once again called for all reserves of strength. Fortunately, the small amounts of snow allowed an unusually early start to work on the sites located at altitudes up to 2160 m. So, the Furka summit tunnel received the necessary road connection on the Valais side already in mid-May, meaning that the specialist company was able to start its renovation works in the tunnel on schedule. As it was not possible to use the 1874-metre-long bore during this period, unusual measures were called for in the interest of construction progress in good time. In a big campaign, the DFB had the construction material transported by truck via the St. Gotthard road tunnel, the Nufenen Pass and Gletsch to Muttbach-Belvédère. Those in charge did not let themselves be discouraged by the complete failure of the diesel engine HGm 51 which will be out of service for some time with gear damage. The newly restored steam locomotive HG 2/3 No. 6 'Weisshorn' took over its traction duties.
Thanks to ideal weather conditions, the ballasting and tamping of the track between Muttbach-Belvédère and Gletsch was completed according to plan. The newly laid points in these two stations were also connected in good time. The safety installation, that was also completed punctually, will allow trains to be properly controlled by signals through the summit tunnel in future.
A first examination carried out together with inspectors from the supervisory authority at the end of June revealed the final defects. Thus, at Muttbach-Belvédère over 200 m of track between the halt and the level crossing had to be renewed at short notice. The rails and rack-rail laid there still bore the date of the year of opening (1914). A quick team replaced them within two days with unused material. The official tour of inspection took place on 12 July 2000. The experts from the Federal Office of Transport were positively surprised at the good condition of the installations and rolling stock after renovation mainly carried out in hours of voluntary work. After extensive tests and checks, the DFB at last received the long-awaited go-ahead to operate from Furka Station (2160 m above sea level) to Gletsch (1759 m) via the summit tunnel and Muttbach-Belvédère (2118 m).

Rolling stock ready?
After a thorough overhaul, loco HG 3/4 No. 1 was steamed up for the first time on 5 July. It immediately took up important supply trips and assisted with the completion works on the Valais side. On the other hand, loco HG 3/4 No. 9 was not completed for service in time. It is not now expected to be in full operating service until September, after its complete overhaul. Until then, its duties will be undertaken by HG 2/3 No. 6 which will cope with any additional trains and special trips with a shorter rake of vehicles.
The fleet of coaches also grew: The passenger coach B 4253 (formerly SBB Brünig line) restored by steam railway fans in Aargau was put into service on time. As a result, there are now 4 four-axle and 6 two-axle vehicles available for passenger service.

Opening weekend in continuous rain
Bad weather marred the official re-opening on 14 July: Two trains headed by the locos HG 3/4 No. 1 'Furkahorn' and HG 2/3 No. 6 'Weisshorn' brought the guests of honour and some 150 paying passengers from Realp to Gletsch where they were welcomed by a brass band. With two ropes, the two Valais State Councillors Wilhelm Schnyder and Jean-Jacques Rey-Bellet together with the Uri Landammann Martin Furrer then pulled the first train symbolically into Gletsch Station where Vicar General Josef Zimmermann (standing in for the bishop) carried out the blessing. The new stretch, the DFB rolling stock and the staff were thus put under God's protection. The cheerful festive assembly then made its way to the Hôtel Glacier du Rhône for lunch.
The inclement weather was unable to dampen the mood of the guests, although the programme in Gletsch had to be curtailed to just the most important events on account of the heavy continuous rain and the cool wind. Those who had arranged for accommodation in the region then secured themselves seats in the Oberwald Sports Hall. There, on Friday and Saturday, the steam railway fans who had come from all over Europe gathered with the local residents for food and drink, as well as a programme of varied musical entertainment.
On Saturday and Sunday, further special trains carried a total of 350 steam train enthusiasts from Realp to Gletsch (and/or back). The passengers on the opening weekend received a personal, numbered commemorative certificate and a gift of wine.

General Meeting and divine service
On Saturday morning, the numerous shareholders who had made the trip met for the General Meeting of the Dampfbahn Furka-Bergstrecke company in Oberwald. The management informed them in detail about the works to complete the Realp-Gletsch section. They held out the prospect of the completion of the remaining section Gletsch-Oberwald by the year 2006. Great efforts are necessary to finance this new objective. They are hoping for the continued support of steam railway fans from all over the world who will have to help the DFB in future with donations and their own labour.
On Sunday, at least 300 persons attended the ecumenical divine service in Oberwald which was given a musical framework by the Hunting Horn Wind Ensemble Stuttgart with the Mass for the Feast of St. Hubert. The enthusiastic audience even called for an encore, something which was described as a premiere in the ensemble's 26-year history.
The DFB invited the active members of the supporters' association to a staff day on 17 July. After a trip by steam train from Realp to Gletsch, some 200 people gathered for a barbecue party in front of the Hôtel Glacier du Rhône. Standing in for all those persons who had made the reconstruction of the Furka Mountain Line possible by putting in some 180,000 hours of voluntary work, those present were thanked by the Management. Magnificent weather rewarded the great work of the invited volunteer workers who were then able to admire the technically daring track installations and the sites of natural beauty along the line as passengers on the return to Realp in the most wonderful sunshine.

The operating season 2000
The official timetable for 2000 begins on 24 July. Until 17 August, the steam service will be operated by one pair of trains daily each Realp-Gletsch-Realp and Gletsch-Muttbach-Gletsch. From then on, until the end of the season on 8 October, the train services will be limited to the weekend (Fridays to Sundays). The DFB has decided on this small number of regular trains in order to gain important experience during the first summer season and to be able to carry out the training of staff thoroughly. From summer 2001 on, it is then intended to expand the timetable appreciably. By that date, the amount of rolling stock will also be increased by one steam engine and some passenger coaches.
The first train leaves Realp at 10.05 hrs and reaches Gletsch at 11.40 hrs. After the lunch break, the steam-hauled rake makes a return trip from Gletsch to Muttbach-Belvédère (at the western portal of the Furka summit tunnel) for passers-by and guests with just little time available. The scheduled times: Gletsch dep. 12.50 hrs, Muttbach arr./dep. 13.15 / 13.30 hrs, Gletsch arr., 13.55 hrs. Finally, at 14.45 hrs. the 600 hp powerful loco with its restored passenger coaches then finally leaves the hotel complex at the foot of the Rhone Glacier. It returns from Valais to the canton of Uri in some 90 minutes rich in experience, with the train arriving in Realp at 16.15 hrs. Thanks to the connections in Realp with the Furka-Oberalp Railway and in Gletsch with the buses of the Swiss Postal Bus service, a trip on the DFB line can be ideally combined with Alpine tours. Its popular vintage trains provide access to a magnificent hiking region. For adventurers it is possible to book guided tours through the bizarre ice formations of the Rhone Glacier. Of course, the DFB Travel Service will gladly also organise overnight accommodation in hotels, holiday apartments or reasonably-priced dormitories.