世界鐵道的最長的客車編組 Swiss Albula bahn world records
瑞士 Albula bahn 締造世界登山鐵道螺旋路線行駛紀錄
今年2022年10月底看到這個新聞時，心裡不禁感觸萬千，
一方面這條鐵路，這裡是我生命中記憶的熟悉，
Albula bahn 是我2003年起徒步與搭火車十多回的地方，
他的螺旋路線實在太精采! 讓人流連忘返。
另一方面我一直關心著阿里山鐵路，何時本線才能全線通車，
我們也有登山螺旋路線，卻始終無法登上國際舞台，
阿里山鐵路擁有登山鐵路五種技術工法的其中四項，
這樣的特殊性，卻因為私心權力鬥爭，被鐵道迷自己否定扯後腿，
最後阿里山鐵路只剩下表相美學的包裝，不禁令人感傷。
台灣阿里山鐵路的線形與基礎，其實不比瑞士的登山鐵道差，
然而，我們真的很羨慕瑞士的登山鐵道，
因為他們有一批真的懂技術的專業人員在維護他們，
讓他們以世界最長的紀錄登上國際舞台，
但是，台灣呢?
On Saturday, 29 October 2022, Rhaetian Railway successfully made its world record attempt at being the longest passenger train in the world, travelling on the UNESCO World Heritage route from the Albula Tunnel in Preda to the famous Landwasser Viaduct near Filisur.
Following part of the route taken by the world-famous Glacier Express since 1930, the world record attempt took in the spectacular Landwasser Viaduct and the extraordinary spirals that secured the line’s international heritage status.
In less than 25 kilometers, the train plummeted from 1,788 meters above sea level at Preda to 999.3 meters at Alvaneu, using a succession of spirals, soaring viaducts and tunnels.
The record attempt was organized by the Rhaetische Bahn (Rhaetian Railway, or RhB), supported by Swiss train-builder Stadler, and is perhaps even more astonishing for taking place on a narrow gauge railway.
Unlike most Swiss and European railways, which use the “standard” gauge between the rails of 1.435 meters (4 feet 8.5 inches), RhB rails are just one meter apart.
Combine this with a route with notoriously tight curves, steep gradients, 22 tunnels and 48 bridges over deep valleys and the challenges become obvious.
Previous holders of the world’s longest passenger train record — Belgium and, before that, the Netherlands — used standard gauge railways through flat landscapes to their advantage.
However, preparations started months ahead of the RhB event, including test runs to ensure the unique train could be operated safely.
“We all know the Albula Line very well, every change of gradient, every incline,” said lead driver Andreas Kramer, 46, ahead of the big day. “It goes without saying that we’re going through the process again and again.”
He added: “We need to be 100% synchronized, every second. Everyone has to keep their speed and other systems under control at all times.”
An initial test run ended in failure before the train had even moved when it was discovered that the emergency brake system could not be activated and the seven drivers could not communicate with each other via radio or cellphone in the many tunnels.
Kramer, assisted by six other drivers and 21 technicians instead used a temporary field telephone system set up by the Swiss Civil Protection organization to maintain communications as the train ran at up to 35 km/h through countless tunnels and deep valleys.
Specially modified software and an intercom between the seven drivers allowed the 25 trains to work in harmony. Any mismatch in acceleration or deceleration during the journey would have exerted unacceptably high forces on tracks and power supplies, creating a major safety issue.
RhB Director Renato Fasciati said: “Switzerland is a railway country like no other. This year, we are celebrating 175 years of Swiss railways. With this world record attempt, RhB and its partners wanted to play their part in achieving a pioneering feat that had never been seen before.”
於是 我深有感觸:
有專業實力的團隊，會以科技創新做行銷，
無專業實力的團隊，會以美學包裝做行銷。