A scenic real-life Swiss mountain route for those who like
endless turns, tunnels and viaducts
FIXES:
A few users get a "Train World Initialization Failure" when
starting this route.
This can be caused by an incompatibility of some video cards
(especially older Voodoo and ATI cards) with the new environments present
in this route: those cards can't handle MSTS' reflective water layer.
If you have that problem, try the following: download
Alb2-noreflenv.zip (8 kB) and unzip the
four *.env files contained therein to the Albula Line 2 ENVFILES folder,
overwriting the existing files. This will eliminate the reflections
of the blue skies and clouds from the water surface.
NOTE: If you already applied the first fix announced Jan. 11, 2003
(replacing the "Albula Line 2.trk" file in the route's main folder),
you must restore the original "Albula Line 2.trk" file from MValb2.zip
for this new fix to work. Otherwise you will only see the default MSTS
environments.
NEW SINCE VERSION 1:
Version 2 of this route doubles its length to about 50 km, updates
many objects (such as more authentic gantries and stations), adds much
detail, includes 12 tailor-made "environments" (new weather and water),
uses authentic locomotives and wagons,
and provides new activities.
GEOGRAPHY:
This route simulates a 40 km section of the real-life Albula line, and a
10-km section of the Landwasser branch line to Davos. The Albula Line models
the stretch from Surava to Bever, including stations at Alvaneu, Filisur,
Stuls, Bergün, Muot, Preda and Spinas. It climbs through a series of reversal
and helicoidal tunnels, and includes the 6 km long Albula Tunnel between Preda
and Spinas. The Landwasser branch joins Filisur with Wiesen and Monstein
through a narrow gorge with many more tunnels.
REALISM AND DETAIL:
This part of the Rhätische Bahn network is made as realistic and
detailed as I could within MSTS, based on maps and photographs.
It has a high scenery density, often resulting in slow frame rates.
LIMITATION:
The low frame rates require a fast computer.
The new environments make this route incompatible with Sky! Conductor.
DESIGN:
The route uses only the default standard-gauge MSTS tracks
(not X-Tracks) instead of the actual narrow gauge (1 m) tracks.
A high density of default MSTS signals is used to compensate
for their non-prototypical logic and to allow more interesting activities.
This route uses mainly the default objects of the nearby Innsbruck-St. Anton
route, but shows heavy snow on the ground in winter. It also uses many
add-on objects and rolling stock that are included in this package.
ROLLING STOCK:
Almost 40 authentic locomotives, passenger and freight cars are available as
a pack in a single (separate) download file, and are required to run the
activities of this route.
Click here for more information about the
RhBpack collection.
NOTE: You do not need to install the add-on rolling stock to run Albula Line 2,
but you will only be able to run it in Explore mode. If MSTS gives you error
messages when trying this, try deleting all the route's activities, services and
traffic (all files in the route's ACTIVITIES, SERVICES and TRAFFIC folders).
DON'T delete the paths (in folder PATHS)!
USE:
Driving this route requires one's full attention, since it has a high
density of turns and slope changes, as well as signals. Sightseeing is
highly recommended, but requires slow driving!
A dozen activities are included. They last from about 15 to 120 minutes.
CREDITS:
I gratefully thank Joachim Zander, Jim Ward, Julianne Tolson,
Terry Thornton, Steve Thompson, Ronald Spalding, Mike Simpson, Silvan Schwab,
Hans-Peter Scholz, Maarten Pontier, Ron Paludan, Ian Morgan, Jan Martínek,
Sjoerd Lafeber, Kami Kiafar, Ian Jenkins, Ruben Geerling,
Paul Gausden, Richard Garber, Jeremy A. Engleman, Pere Casulleras, Jeff Bush,
Bill Burnett, Axel Boey and William A. Barbur, Jr. for their add-ons,
textures, tools, methods, beta-testing and advice.
DISCLAIMERS:
This route and its associated rolling stock are in no way affiliated with
the Rhätische Bahn, the Furka Oberland Bahn (FO), or the Zermatt Bahn (BVZ).
They are also totally independent of the commercial routes "Heidi Express"
and "Glacier Express" by mailsoft simtrain. The names "Rhätische Bahn",
"Glacier Express", "Heidi Express", "Bernina Express", "Alpine Classic" and
"Railrider" are property of the Rhätische Bahn;
the RhB, FO and BVZ logos, and the advertisements that
appear are property of the respective companies; all these are used here
only to simulate reality.
INCLUDES:
Complete route, activities, documentation, route and station maps (in
download file MValb2.zip);
consists and rolling stock (in download file RhBpack.zip).
DOWNLOAD:
Download two files (MValb2.zip and RhBpack.zip, both about 18 Mb) from:
Train-Sim.com
(select Microsoft Train Simulator, then File Library, then Search File Libraries,
then Search for text: Vone);
Note that much of the rolling stock has been updated compared to the
versions available elsewhere on the web; and most of them will be placed in
new folders with new names, so that all older consists that you may have
will still work.
Maps
Route map with scenic info and km posts -
This is a point-to-point single-track route (Surava to Bever)
with a branch line (Filisur to Monstein):
Between Bergün and Preda, the Albula Line passes several reversal and
helicoidal tunnels, as well as many viaducts and several galleries:
Screen shots
Click here for illustrations of the
rolling stock available in RhBpack.zip.
Click below to view the following scenes from the Albula Line 2 route,
progressing south from Monstein to Bever:
This first view shows
Monstein Station. The route starts just north of
Monstein (where it arrives from Davos, which is some 10 km further up
the valley shown here). Two trains are visible: the first has a
Ge 4/4 II locomotive (by Joachim Zander) and panorama cars
(by Jan Martínek). It is followed by a shuttle (by Joachim Zander).
These trains are headed south, from Davos to Filisur, following the
Landwasser River downstream. Note the water texture, specially designed
for this route, including sky reflections (see the next picture). The
highly detailed gantries were made by Kami Kiafar for this route.
Varying water:
The water's appearance in this route varies with the weather and seasons.
In clear weather, it shows a rocky bottom, moves, and reflects the sky.
In rainy weather the rivers become muddy and their level rises. In winter,
the water freezes over, with cracks revealing water flow underneath.
The sky also varies its appearance with changing weather: in all there
are 12 different varieties of sky, including different densities of fog.
Furthermore, lightning and rainbows can be seen, while airplanes and UFOs
can be spotted.
Zügenschlucht gorge:
Soon after Monstein, the Landwasser River turns into a long and narrow
gorge. The track is forced underground for most of the 4 km of this gorge.
Brombenz Viaduct:
Every now and then, the track emerges briefly from the tunnels.
Here it jumps across the Landwasser River, using a viaduct by Zander
(most bridges and viaducts in this route are by him). The rocky ground
textures were designed for this route, from photographs of local rocks
and vegetation.
Bärentritt (Bear's Step):
A very brief emergence occurs here, barely the length of a locomotive.
In the distance, we start to see the next station, Wiesen.
Emerging near Wiesen:
Just before Wiesen Station, the track finally emerges from the gorge.
Wiesen Station and Viaduct:
This station sits on a ledge high above the Landwasser River.
The track continues by crossing the river over a famous viaduct that is
80 m high and 196 m long (in reality), custom-built by Zander.
Landwasser and
Schmittentobel Viaducts: About 3 km after Wiesen, the most famous
of the regional viaducts comes into view: the Landwasser Viaduct,
seen in the foreground, is 65 m high and 136 m long. Behind it is a
small viaduct, followed by the larger Schmittentobel Viaduct, 35 m high
and 137 m long. These two viaducts carry the Albula Line proper,
which comes from Chur, climbs along the Albula River to the Albula Tunnel,
before dropping toward the Inn valley and St. Moritz. We have so far
been on a branch line and will join the Albula Line soon, in Filisur.
The viaducts and train are by Zander (locomotive Ge 6/6 II number 702,
and cars of type A-1230, AB-1531 and B-2365).
Filisur Station:
This view shows a train coming up the Albula Line at the exact point
where it meets the branch line from Davos, Monstein and Wiesen
(visible in the middle foreground), as it enters Filisur Station.
At left is a non-functioning turntable (a wye is hidden underground to
nevertheless allow turning trains around!). To the right you look up
along the Albula River: we will follow the Albula Line in that
direction, climbing its left flank.
RhB rolling stock in Filisur: Shown are some of the add-on
locomotives and wagons provided with this route of the Rhätische Bahn
("RhB", the private railway company that owns and runs the Albula Line).
In foreground is a Ge 4/6 from around 1914 (number 353). Behind it is
a "crocodile" (Ge 6/6 I number 414). Then you see a shuttle
(ABe 4/4 number 502, and BDt number 1721, with cabs at both ends),
arriving from Davos. Beyond are freight cars: box cars of type Gbk,
and cement or silo cars of type Uce. All of these were designed by
Joachim Zander from RhB prototypes. Hard to recognize in the background
are panorama cars, by Jan Martínek. After these screenshots were taken,
the track texture was replaced by a Swiss texture by Silvan Schwab.
Winter in Filisur: "Dense snow" is simulated to match the abundance
of snow at these altitudes (we are at 1080 m in Filisur).
The station building and freight cars are by Zander, while the
locomotive (a Ge 4/4 III number 647 in Capito advertisement colors) is
by Sjoerd Lafeber and Maarten Pontier.
Climbing the Albula Valley:
After leaving Filisur, the Albula Line first winds through the helicoidal
Greifenstein Tunnel, named after the Greifenstein ruins that you see
high up in the background (the tunnel circles the ruins, which dominate
Filisur). Then the line ascends along a steep and rocky mountain flank,
shown here.
(The rocks by Ron Spalding were reskinned with local rock textures.)
Cliffs near Stuls:
Just before the next station, Stuls, the track clings to a very steep
cliff, while bridging a steep stream. Note the trail in the foreground.
Stuls Station:
This station lies on a narrow ledge high above the Albula River, and
far below the tiny village of Stuls (invisible here). This station,
like many of the 2-track stations, mainly serves as a crossing for
trains. (In the background you can see the cliffs shown earlier.)
Bergün Station
(winter): A few kilometers further up the valley, after several
more tunnels and many more turns, we reach Bergün, a larger town. Its
station has several tracks and sidings to allow maintenance operations
for the difficult climb ahead. Here you see another RhB-style station
building by Zander.
Bergün Station
(summer): This close-up shows two Ge 4/4 II locomotives by Zander,
as well as his station, lamps and platform number signs. And each
station carries its own name on signs which I reskinned from
Ron Paludan's station signs.
Climbing out
of Bergün: As the above maps show, the line makes two complete
reversals above Bergün, thereby gaining over 100 m in altitude.
This view looks back down toward Bergün after the second reversal.
Muot Station and the leaning
viaduct: The next station, at Muot, again is a passing station.
Here starts the most impressive part of the journey on the Albula Line.
After Muot and the short Fuegna tunnel (visible here), the track crosses
the Albula River on a viaduct (Albula I Viaduct) and immediately enters
a helicoidal tunnel (Rugnux Tunnel, see map above), from which it emerges
onto a "leaning viaduct", clearly visible at the top of this picture.
Albula I Viaduct and Rugnux
Tunnel: This snowy autumn view in late afternoon on the Albula I
Viaduct shows the Albula River at left (not yet frozen), and the entrance
to the helicoidal Rugnux Tunnel at right. The line continues at top left.
Panorama near leaning viaducts:
The left end of this 360 degree panorama looks back down the Albula
River toward Bergün. You can barely see the Albula Line's Val Tisch
Viaduct in the far distance, as you start scanning to the right
past the river. The line next passes the Chanelleta Gallery, before
entering Muot Station, which is followed by the short Fuegna Tunnel
(over which drops a steep stream) and a very short leaning viaduct.
Then the line turns right over the
Albula I Viaduct, crossing the river. There a freight train is waiting
for the green light to enter the Rugnux Tunnel, out of which a
passenger train is emerging and riding onto the leaning viaduct.
The line then heads up along the Albula River, and passes it over the
Albula II Viaduct, behind which you can also guess the Albula III Viaduct.
At far right, you look back down to Bergün again. The trail at right
is popular with train fans who hike down from Preda to Bergün.
Albula I and II
Viaducts, and the leaning viaduct: This downhill view in winter
(with frozen river) shows the relatively small Albula I Viaduct
(59 m long, 11 m high) in the depth of the Albula River valley.
It leads straight into the Rugnux Tunnel (662 m long), which emerges
out of sight behind a corner, just before the leaning viaduct starts.
The train has just left the leaning viaduct and crosses the Albula II
Viaduct (95 m long, 29 m high).
Albula II and III
Viaducts: We continue up the Albula River, clearly visible here
as we look back downhill.
The train has passed the Albula II Viaduct, still clearly visible (while
the leaning viaduct can be guessed at top left). It is headed for the
Toua Tunnel (677 m long), which starts at center right just below the
Albula III Viaduct. This tunnel makes a left helicoidal turn, emerging
at upper right and leading to the Albula III Viaduct (137 m long,
28 m high).
Panorama between Albula
III and IV Viaducts: The left end of this 360 degree panorama looks
up the Albula River toward the Albula IV Viaduct (and Preda out of sight
beyond). As you scan to the right you see the Maliera Gallery making
a half circle to the Albula III Viaduct, over which a passenger train
rides downhill. The hill against which you see two trucks contains
two helicoidal tunnels: the Toua and Zuondra Tunnels.
Albula III and
IV Viaducts: Downhill view toward the Albula III Viaduct through an
arch of the Albula IV Viaduct (44 m long, 22 m high), on which you see
Zander's Ge 6/6 II pull a string of Martínek's panorama cars.
Preda Station, view to
west: Next, the line makes one more undergound loop, through the
Zuondra Tunnel (535 m long), before emerging in a gentler valley near
Preda, where the next station is located, shown here. We are now at
1789 m of altitude (Filisur was at 1080 m).
Preda Station, view to east:
If in Preda we look east, we see the west portal of the Albula Tunnel,
out of which this train has just emerged. This 6 km long tunnel
(5865 m to be precise) gently climbs from 1789 m here to 1823 m at its
midpoint, and then very slowly descends to 1815 m at its east portal
(where Spinas Station is located). The electrical switches shown here
are due to Zander, as well as the train and station building.
Spinas Station and Beverin
valley: At Spinas the Bernina Express is waiting to enter the
Albula Tunnel: it includes RhB panorama cars by Martínek.
This view includes the Swiss track texture by Silvan Schwab.
Spinas again is mainly a crossing station, located deep
in a pretty valley. The Beverin River flows east through Bever into the
Inn River, which in turn flows into Austria.
Bever, aerial view:
We arrive at Bever, where the Albula Line enters the wide Engadin Valley
formed by the Inn River. At bottom left, you can see the line leading
from Bever to the northeast, downstream along the Inn River.
Up ahead the line continues to St. Moritz (it also branches at Samedan
to the Bernina Pass).
Bever, platform view:
Bever is the end of this route. There is a hidden wye to the northeast,
so you can turn a train around (in reality the nearest turntable is at
Samedan).
