Furka Cogwheel Steam Railway Museum
Historic Swiss mountain railway using cogwheel steam locomotives
A restored steam cogwheel railway over the Furka Pass, run by volunteers with historic locomotives. Tourists board for alpine panoramas, engineering history and the old high‑mountain route between Realp and Gletsch.
Furka Cogwheel Steam Railway at a Glance#
Address: Furka Pass / Realp Railway Station area
Website: https://www.rhb.ch/en/p/dfb
Admission: Return trip CHF 55-95 depending on season and operator; steam special surcharges may apply
About Furka Cogwheel Steam Railway#
The Furka cogwheel steam railway (Dampfbahn Furka-Bergstrecke) is a restored heritage rack-and-pinion railway that runs the historic mountain route across the Furka Pass in the central Swiss Alps. It operates steam locomotives on the original high-mountain alignment.
The operation offers steam-hauled journeys over the mountain route with steep gradients and rack sections, passing alpine scenery and historic railway structures. Services are seasonal, typically running during the summer when the mountain passes are clear of snow.
The original mountain line formed part of the regional rail connection across the Furka Pass; after construction of base tunnels and route modernisation the high-mountain section was abandoned and later restored by volunteers and preservation groups as a heritage railway. The restored line reopened in stages and now runs as a tourist steam railway.
The heritage route runs between Realp in the canton of Uri and the mountain stations around Gletsch/Oberwald in the Valais region, crossing the Furka high pass and traversing alpine terrain.
- Seasonal steam heritage service: The line is a heritage steam-operated rack railway running the original mountain route over the Furka Pass and operates seasonally in summer months.
What to See#
- Realp: Realp station - lower terminus at the Uri side where trains start their ascent over the mountain route.
- Gletsch / Oberwald: Gletsch/Oberwald - the higher mountain terminus and historic rail village at the Valais side where the line descends into the valley.
How to Get to Furka Cogwheel Steam Railway#
The heritage line operates seasonally. Reach Realp by car or regional trains from Andermatt/Visp; the tourist timetable and special steam train dates are published on the railway’s official site. Book tickets in advance for steam service days.
Tips for Visiting Furka Cogwheel Steam Railway#
- Buy a window seat - the route is all about alpine views and the rack section is unforgettable.
- Book steam service dates in advance: the historic steam train runs on special weekends and fills quickly.
- Bring warm clothes even in summer; the route climbs to over 2,000 meters and temperatures drop sharply.
Best Time to Visit Furka Cogwheel Steam Railway#
Summer is the main operating season; check the schedule for dates of steam operation.
Weather & Climate near Furka Cogwheel Steam Railway#
Furka Cogwheel Steam Railway's climate is classified as Subarctic - Subarctic climate with cool summers (peaking in August) and freezing winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from -8°C to 15°C. Abundant rainfall (1346 mm/year), wettest in June, distributed fairly evenly throughout the year.
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Poor | -8° - -2° | -10° | 87 mm | partly cloudy | 87% | 3.6 m/s | 0.2 low | 8.9h |
| February | Poor | -8° - -1° | -10° | 80 mm | partly cloudy | 87% | 3.7 m/s | 0.3 low | 10.2h |
| March | Poor | -7° - 1° | -8° | 96 mm | partly cloudy | 87% | 3.9 m/s | 0.7 moderate | 11.8h |
| April | Poor | -4° - 2° | -5° | 119 mm | overcast | 84% | 4.0 m/s | 1.0 high | 13.4h |
| May | Poor | 1° - 7° | 1° | 131 mm | overcast | 81% | 3.8 m/s | 1.3 high | 14.8h |
| June | Poor | 3° - 11° | 5° | 132 mm | overcast | 78% | 3.6 m/s | 1.7 very high | 15.6h |
| July | Acceptable | 6° - 15° | 10° | 126 mm | partly cloudy | 77% | 3.5 m/s | 1.7 very high | 15.2h |
| August | Acceptable | 6° - 15° | 10° | 128 mm | partly cloudy | 79% | 3.3 m/s | 1.4 high | 14.0h |
| September | Acceptable | 3° - 12° | 5° | 115 mm | partly cloudy | 81% | 3.6 m/s | 1.0 moderate | 12.4h |
| October | Poor | 0° - 7° | 0° | 128 mm | partly cloudy | 83% | 3.7 m/s | 0.5 low | 10.7h |
| November | Poor | -5° - 2° | -6° | 111 mm | partly cloudy | 87% | 3.7 m/s | 0.2 low | 9.3h |
| December | Poor | -7° - -1° | -9° | 93 mm | partly cloudy | 85% | 3.7 m/s | 0.1 low | 8.5h |
