Vietnamese locomotives join Swiss railroad bash

Two historic steam locomotives repatriated to Switzerland from Dalat in 1990 have become part of the European country’s celebration of the restored Furka Pass cogwheel steam train route.

Swiss producer Furka-Oberwald sold four of the locomotives to Vietnam’s French colonizers in the 1930s due to financial problems and the need to electrify the Furka line.

The cogwheel engines had been used on the 84-kilometer Thap Cham – Dalat route which the French built in the early 20th century.

At its peak, 15 steam locomotives were in use.

The railroad stopped operation in 1968.

Doan Thu Hien, a Vietnamese visitor who traveled recently on the Furka route, was overcome by nostalgia when she saw the locomotives in an Alps valley, restored and graceful but still carrying the legend “Toa xe Đà Lạt” (Dalat carriage).

She wrote to Tuoi Tre from Geneva: “When I was working with Japanese experts to upgrade Vietnam’s North-South railway system, I was frustrated to discover that Dalat’s cogwheel steam locomotives had been sold to Switzerland.

“If the track is restored, Dalat will attract many more tourists, especially those who are nostalgic and looking for exceptional experiences.”

A French document says that together with the Furka pass track, the Thap Cham – Dalat route is among the most unique and breathtaking rail tracks in the world.

The Furka railroad route, which spans over the scenic Rhone Glacier and connects the alpine villages of Gletsch and Realp, is often described as one of the most beautiful in Switzerland.

But since the weather in this 2,160-meter-high section can be very inclement, especially during winter, a 15.4-kilometer tunnel was cut through the mountain in 1982 to replace the route.

Efforts were, however, made to preserve the track. An initiative by the Dampfbahn Furka Bergstrecke company along with devotion of 7,000 enthusiasts who had volunteered their time, energy and money to restore the cogwheel rolling stock has revived the whole 17.8-kilometer route.

Meanwhile, Vietnam is also set to restore its cogwheel track at a cost of $320 million.

Winding through some of the country’s most beautiful mountainous regions between Dalat and Thap Cham in Ninh Thuan Province, the route will have five tunnels, 46 bridges, 14 stations and two serrated sections of 14 kilometers.

It is expected to resume operations in 2015.

Source: TuoiTre

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