Head to Swiss Alps, on a cogwheel train

Sujoy Dhar

In the USA, in the state of New Hampshire, this is a year of rather unusual celebrations. It is the 150 years of operation of Mount Washington Cog Railway. Visitors here are being educated about the unique railroad history. The Mount Washington Cog Railway, also known as the Cog, is the world’s first mountain-climbing cog railway (rack-and-pinion railway). 

However, for many tourists who visit Switzerland, if a cogwheel railway ride is on the bucket list, then land in Zurich, gateway to the Alps, and head for Mount Rigi, which boasts of Europe’s first cogwheel track.

The cogwheel mountain railway of Rigi will take a tourist up into the magnificent Alpine and snow world of Switzerland. But first know what is a cogwheel railway. By the simplest Wiki definition, it is a steep grade railway with a toothed rack rail between the running rails. The trains are fitted with one or more cog wheels or pinions that mesh with this rack rail. When on May 21, 1871, Europe’s first mountain railway began its inaugural ascent, it was here from Vitznau to Rigi Staffelhöhe. It was a milestone in the history of Mount Rigi.

The breathtaking views of the green valleys and lakes changing into snow-enveloped mountains will make it a cherished Swiss experience on cogwheel train. The Rigi mountains lie near Lucerne, between Küssnacht am Rigi, Goldau and Gersau. 

Chugging along the mountains

Mount Rigi is not very far from Zurich. From Zurich HB (main station), start around 9 in the morning by a train. It will take you to Arth-Goldau. The journey takes less than 40 minutes. When you reach Arth-Goldau, board the cogwheel train waiting for you. These look inviting in bright blue and white shades or red. Enjoy the ride as the train rises to 1797 m above the sea level to reach Rigi Kulm, the highest peak of Mount Rigi. Overlooking Lake Lucerne, the train chugs along the narrow tracks through meadows, scary mountain slopes, woods, tunnels and then snow-covered tracks to take you to the top — Rigi Kulm aka Queen of Mountains.

From the top, you can enjoy a view of no fewer than 13 lakes and a regular “sea of peaks”. Just enjoy soaring summit views of the Swiss Plateau with the Bernese Alps, Vosges mountains (France), Black Forest (Germany) and Glarus Alps beyond. 

On a leisure trip 

Once you reach your destination, you can trek in the powdery white snow of the Alps, and then hunker down in a nice restaurant in any of the railway stations. Some tourists choose to stay a night at the Rigi Kulm Hotel on the top and witness celestial firework in the sky ignited by sunsets and sunrises.

For lunch, you can again board a train and come down to Rigi Kaltbad station to find this elegant restaurant at Hotel Alpina. Enjoy the view of the Alps and Lake Lucerne as you dig in on the plate of Swiss cuisine in this hotel’s restaurant with a terrace. After lunch you can go for a ride of horse-drawn carriage to explore Mt Rigi’s spectacular Alpine scenery.

Well, now is the time to descend. You take the cogwheel train back, and this time to reach Vitznau, for taking a one-hour scenic boat cruise to Lucerne.

On trail of world’s first cog

The scenic train ride to the summit of Mount Washington, the highest peak in the northeast in USA’s New Hampshire, is the world’s first mountain-climbing cog railway train! A trip on the Mount Washington Cog Railway is a great way to experience the White Mountains and New Hampshire.