Preda

Preda
Preda
Municipality
	Railway station in Preda with an electrified regional RegioExpress (RE) train
	Flag Coat of arms
	Location of Preda
	Preda Preda
	Coordinates: 46°35′18″N9°46′38″E / 46.588328°N 9.777218°E
Country	Switzerland
Canton	Grisons
District	Albula
Municipality	Bergün Filisur
Elevation	1,789 m (5,869 ft)
Time zone	UTC+01:00 (Central European Time)
• Summer (DST)	UTC+02:00 (Central European Summer Time)
Postal code(s)	7482
SFOS number	3521
ISO 3166 code	CH-GR
Surrounded by	Bergün
Website	www.berguenfilisur.ch ; SFSO statistics

Last updated August 20, 2024 • 5 min readFrom Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia

Preda is a small village within the Swiss municipality of Bergün Filisur (until the end of 2017 Bergün/Bravuogn), district of Albula, Canton Graubünden (Grisons), in the East of Switzerland.^[1]

Preda is located in the upper valley of the Albula Alps. It lies on the road over the Albula Pass at 1789 metres above sea level (a.s.l.) and at the north portal of the Albula Tunnel of the Rhaetian Railway. To reach Preda, while avoiding too steep ramps, the Rhaetian Railway needs passing several valleys over impressive viaducts and cross-cutting the mountain in several spiralling tunnels ( Kehrtunnel [ de ] in German). This allows the railway to overcome a difference in altitude of 416 metres from Bergün to Preda. The line runs from Chur or Davos to St. Moritz and ends at the route of the Glacier Express.

Infrastructures

The Preda railway station is an important crossing point for the trains on the Rhaetian Railway: It has a long double-track line and shunting area with sidings. In summer 2014, the construction works of the Albula Tunnel began to make a 2nd tube.

Since the construction of the railway line, Preda also benefits from a hydroelectric power station supplied with water through a tunnel from Lake Palpuogna.

The Preda hamlet has a hotel, a guest and group house, a farm, and several chalets.

Geography and soil occupation

East of Preda, at the 2312-metre-high Albula Pass, lies the drainage divide between the Rhine river (North Sea drainage basin) and the Inn river (Black Sea basin).

The valley floor is used for agriculture. Above there are extensive wooded areas. Beyond the tree line are several alps.

In the immediate vicinity of Preda, down the valley, is located the intermediate Alpine pasture settlement (Maiensäss) Naz. The place is located one kilometre west of the Preda hamlet at an altitude of 1,747 m above sea level in the Albula Valley, at the entrance to the left side valley, Val Mulix. Today it is mainly used as a holiday resort.

Snow sport and summer activities

Sledging

The sledging Preda-Bergün and Darlux-Bergün is a popular winter sport in the area.^[3] When the pass above Preda is closed in the winter and there is sufficient snow, the road below Preda to Bergün serves as a toboggan run for sleds (longest natural toboggan run in Europe). The sledders and their sledges are transported to Preda by regular trains and additional "sledge trains". In winter there is also a snowshoe trail at Preda.

Hiking

In the summer, there are numerous hiking trails. Preda is the starting point of a 7 km long railway trail to Bergün, which mostly follows the railway line down the valley.

Rhaetian Railway and the spectacular Albula line

Albula Railway construction works Albulabauwerke.JPG — Albula Railway construction works

The Rhaetian Railway (German : Rhätische Bahn; French : Chemin de fer rhétique; Italian : Ferrovia retica; Romansh : Viafier retica), abbreviated RhB, is a Swiss transport company owning the largest network of all private railway operators in Switzerland.

Headquartered in Chur,^[4] the RhB operates all the railway lines of the Swiss canton of Grisons, except two lines.

The construction of the Albula Railway begun in September 1898 under the supervision of the German-Swiss civil engineer Friedrich Hennings, a pioneer of railway construction in Switzerland. The line was opened on 1 July 1903 and its extension to St. Moritz started operations on 10 July 1904.

Because at its conception, the Albula line was intended to be operated by steam locomotives and that their power was still restricted at this time, it was necessary to limit the slope of the railway to maximum 3.5% (gradient of 3.5 m altitude over a distance of 100 m).

The ascent of the valley between Bergün/Bravuogn and Preda was especially problematic. There, over a distance of 5 km as the crow flies, it was necessary to overcome a difference in altitude of more than 400 m. Friedrich Hennings, the designer of the Albula line, had to devise a complex succession of curved or spiral tunnels and viaducts in order to lengthen the path of the railway by 12 km to respect the maximum value of the slope (< 3.5 %) imposed by engineering constraints. Two curved tunnels, three spiral tunnels, and a number of bridges were needed to solve the engineering problem, by winding the track around like the thread of a screw. Elegant, but robust, viaducts were constructed over the valleys to connect the tunnels.

Beyond Preda, the centrepiece of the line is the 5,866 m long Albula Tunnel, which passes under the watershed between the Rhine and the Danube, a few kilometres west of the Albula Pass.

Today, the Rhaetian Railway continues to serve several famous touristic destinations, such as St. Moritz and Davos. The Rhaetian Railway provides services to the Preda station. Preda is on the railway line between Chur and St. Moritz. InterRegio trains deliver hourly service while Regio trains offer a more limited service between Chur and St. Moritz.

In 2008, the RhB section from the Albula-Bernina area, including St. Moritz, was added to the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

In 2011, the Albula-Bernina line was the first rail line in the world to be photographed by Google and put on Google Street View.^[5] The line is electrified, but RhB sometimes also operates several historic (steam, or diesel) trains on the network.^[6]

In 2022, to celebrate the 175th anniversary of Switzerland's first railway, the Rhaetische Bahn, supported by the Swiss train-builder Stadler Rail, came together to run the world's longest-ever passenger train, composed of 100 cars (2,990 tonnes) stretching almost two kilometres long (1,906 metres).^[7] The record-breaking train convoy was formed of 25 "Capricorn" electric trains. It took about an hour to cover 25 kilometres (16 mi) over the spectacular Albula Line from Preda to Alvaneu.

Rhaetian Railway (Rhätische Bahn, RhB) between Filisur, Bergün and Preda: Viaducts and spiral tunnels

A Rhaetian Railway (Rhätische Bahn, RhB) train amidst the helical tunnels [ fr ].
Rhaetian Railway Glacier Express on the Landwasser Viaduct near Filisur entering the Landwasser tunnel.
Route of the Albula Railway from Preda to Bergün: Toua spiral tunnel.

Related Research Articles

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.

The Glacier Express is a direct train connecting railway stations of the two major mountain resorts of Zermatt and St. Moritz via Andermatt in the central Swiss Alps. The train provides a one-seat ride for an 8-hour end-to-end 291-kilometre (181 mi) journey, and omits stops made by local trains. The Glacier Express has been called the 'slowest express train in the world'. As St. Moritz and Zermatt are home to two well-known mountains, the Glacier Express is also said to travel from Matterhorn to Piz Bernina.

The Landwasser Viaduct is a single-track six-arched curved limestone railway viaduct. It spans the Landwasser between Schmitten and Filisur, in the canton of Graubünden, Switzerland.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bergün/Bravuogn</span> Former municipality in Graubünden, Switzerland

Bergün/Bravuogn is a village and former municipality in the Albula Region in the canton of Graubünden in Switzerland. The double name (German/Romansh) has been the official name since 1943. On 1 January 2018 the former municipalities of Bergün/Bravuogn and Filisur merged into the new municipality of Bergün Filisur.

Filisur is an Alpine village and former municipality in the Albula Region in the canton of Graubünden in Switzerland. The village sits on a hillside with a view to the west where the two rivers Albula/Alvra from the Albula Pass and Landwasser from Davos meet. On 1 January 2018 the former municipalities of Bergün/Bravuogn and Filisur merged into the new municipality of Bergün Filisur.

The Bernina Express is a train connecting Chur in Switzerland to Poschiavo in Switzerland and Tirano in Italy by crossing the Swiss Engadin Alps. For most of its journey, the train also runs along the World Heritage Site known as the Rhaetian Railway in the Albula / Bernina Landscapes.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Albula railway line</span> Railway line in canton of Graubünden, Switzerland

The Albula railway line is a single track metre gauge railway line forming part of the core network of the Rhaetian Railway (RhB), in the canton of Graubünden, Switzerland. It links Thusis on the Hinterrhein at 697 m (2,287 ft) and Filisur at 1,080 m (3,540 ft) with the spa resort of St. Moritz in Engadine at 1,774 m (5,820 ft).

The Bernina railway line is a single-track 1,000 mmmetre 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 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.

The Albula Tunnel is the centrepiece of the Albula Railway, which forms part of the Rhaetian Railway network, in the Canton of Graubünden, Switzerland. With its maximum elevation of 1,820 m (5,970 ft) above sea level, it is amongst the highest tunnels in the Alps, and has a mountain overlay of up to 950 m (3,120 ft). The original tunnel has a length of 5,865 m (3.644 mi) and was opened for traffic in 1903.

The Rhaetian Railway Ge 4/4 ^III is a class of metre gauge Bo′Bo′ electric locomotives of the Rhaetian Railway (RhB), which is the main railway network in the Canton of Graubünden, Switzerland.

The Rhaetian Railway Ge 4/4 ^I is a class of metre gauge Bo′Bo′ electric locomotives operated by the Rhaetian Railway (RhB), which is the main railway network in the Canton of Graubünden, Switzerland.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Filisur railway station</span> Railway station in Switzerland

Filisur railway station is a railway station in the municipality of Filisur, in the Swiss canton of Graubünden. It is located at the junction of the 1,000 mmmetre gauge Albula and Davos Platz–Filisur lines of the Rhaetian Railway. Hourly services operate on both lines.

Preda railway station is a railway station in the municipality of Bergün Filisur, in the Swiss canton of Graubünden. It is located on the 1,000 mmmetre gauge Albula line of the Rhaetian Railway. Hourly services operate on this section of the line.

Bergün/Bravuogn railway station is a railway station in the municipality of Bergün Filisur, in the Swiss canton of Graubünden. It is located on the 1,000 mmmetre gauge Albula line of the Rhaetian Railway. Hourly services operate on this section of the line.

The Schmittentobel Viaduct is a single track limestone railway viaduct. It is situated near Schmitten, in the Canton of Graubünden, Switzerland.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Castielertobel Viaduct</span> Bridge in Castiel and Calfreisen, Switzerland

The Castielertobel Viaduct was a single track railway bridge spanning the Castielertobelbach, and linking the municipalities of Castiel and Calfreisen, in the Canton of Graubünden, Switzerland. It was built between 1913 and 1914 for the Chur–Arosa railway, and was owned and used by the Rhaetian Railway.

Bergün Filisur is a municipality in the Albula Region in the canton of Graubünden in Switzerland. On 1 January 2018 the former municipalities of Bergün/Bravuogn and Filisur merged to form the new municipality of Bergün Filisur.

The Davos Platz–Filisur railway is a Swiss metre-gauge railway, which is operated by the Rhaetian Railway and has connected the spa town of Davos with Filisur on the Albula Railway since 1909. It represents a continuation of the Landquart–Davos Platz railway. The line is consistently single-track, apart from the stations, and has been electrified since 1919.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bever–Scuol-Tarasp railway</span> Railway line in Switzerland

The Bever–Scuol-Tarasp railway—also called the Engadinerbahn, Engadinerlinie, Unterengadinerbahn or Unterengadinerlinie —is a Swiss metre-gauge railway, which is operated by the Rhaetian Railway and connects the Lower Engadine with the Albula Railway. The Samedan–Pontresina railway is often also considered part of the line. Both lines are closely linked with each other. The Bever–Scuol-Tarasp railway is part of the RhB mainline network, so the kilometrage (chainage) has its zero point in Landquart.

The Samedan–Pontresina railway is a Swiss metre-gauge railway, which is operated by the Rhaetian Railway. The line runs through the Upper Engadine and connects Samedan with Pontresina and provides a link between the Albula Railway and the Bernina Railway. The line is also often considered to be part of the Engadine line from Bever to Scuol-Tarasp with which it is closely linked operationally. The Samedan-Pontresina railway line is part of the RhB mainline network, so the kilometrage (chainage) has its zero point in Landquart.

References

↑ "Gemeinde Bergün Filisur" [Municipality of Bergün Filisur]. berguenfilisur.ch (in German). 2023. Retrieved 6 February 2023. Preda is a locality in the entity of the municipality of Bergün Filisur
↑ Hug, Peter. "Preda | eLexikon | Graubünden – Albula – Bergün". peter-hug.ch (in German). Retrieved 5 February 2023.
↑ Bergün Filisur Tourismus (2023). "Bergün Filisur – The railway village | Bergün". berguen-filisur.graubuenden.ch. Retrieved 5 February 2023.
↑ Rhaetian Railway (2023). "Rhaetian Railway RhB: Railway experiences in Graubünden – Glacier Express – Bernina Express". Rhätische Bahn. Retrieved 5 February 2023. Rhätische Bahn AG, Bahnhofstrasse 25, CH-7001 Chur
↑ Alphabet Inc. (20 October 2011). "Street View hits the stunning Swiss Alps railways". Google Official Blog. Retrieved 5 February 2023.
↑ Rhaetian Railways (2023). "Steam - & nostalgic rides. A piece of railway history". Rhätische Bahn. Retrieved 5 February 2023.
↑ Jones, Ben (31 October 2022). "Why Switzerland built a 2-kilometer-long train". CNN. Retrieved 2023-02-05.

External links

"Willkommen auf der webseite der gemeinde Bergün Filisur" [Welcome to the website of the municipality of Bergün Filisur]. berguenfilisur.ch (in German). 2023. Retrieved 6 February 2023. Preda is a locality in the entity of the municipality of Bergün Filisur
Bergün/Bravuogn in Romansh , German , French and Italian in the online Historical Dictionary of Switzerland .
Filisur in German , French and Italian in the online Historical Dictionary of Switzerland .
Hug, Peter. "Preda | eLexikon | Graubünden – Albula – Bergün". peter-hug.ch (in German). Retrieved 5 February 2023.
Schweiz Tourismus (2023). "Preda | Switzerland Tourism". Switzerland Tourism. Retrieved 6 February 2023.

46°35′18″N9°46′38″E / 46.58833°N 9.77722°E / 46.58833; 9.77722

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[Bergün_Filisur-1] "Gemeinde Bergün Filisur" [Municipality of Bergün Filisur]. berguenfilisur.ch (in German). 2023. Retrieved 6 February 2023. Preda is a locality in the entity of the municipality of Bergün Filisur

[Hug-2] Hug, Peter. "Preda | eLexikon | Graubünden – Albula – Bergün". peter-hug.ch (in German). Retrieved 5 February 2023.

[Berguen-3] Bergün Filisur Tourismus (2023). "Bergün Filisur – The railway village | Bergün". berguen-filisur.graubuenden.ch. Retrieved 5 February 2023.

[RhB01-4] Rhaetian Railway (2023). "Rhaetian Railway RhB: Railway experiences in Graubünden – Glacier Express – Bernina Express". Rhätische Bahn. Retrieved 5 February 2023. Rhätische Bahn AG, Bahnhofstrasse 25, CH-7001 Chur

[Googleblog2011-5] Alphabet Inc. (20 October 2011). "Street View hits the stunning Swiss Alps railways". Google Official Blog. Retrieved 5 February 2023.

[RhB02-6] Rhaetian Railways (2023). "Steam - & nostalgic rides. A piece of railway history". Rhätische Bahn. Retrieved 5 February 2023.

[CNN2022-7] Jones, Ben (31 October 2022). "Why Switzerland built a 2-kilometer-long train". CNN. Retrieved 2023-02-05.

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