Train Drivers Wanted!
The Swiss are justifiably proud of their mountain railways,
Now, you can have the chance to feel what it’s like to drive one of the Rhätische Bahn trains across the beautiful landscapes through the alps.
Tunnels through mountains, spectacular bridges across deep gorges.
And guess what? You can start in St Moritz! Actually there are quite a few trips you can do,
The engineering on the Albula and Bernina lines is truly impressive, especially as it is set against the backdrop of glaciers (so go soon before they melt) and of course, the mountains.
For 850 CHF (which means you have to be pretty keen) you get to sit alongside on your chosen route, and talk to the driver, have all the signals explained etc.
Still, you do also get 20% off any souvenirs you may buy, so that’d be a plus.
To be honest, you’d need to be a complete train nut to go for this, or very rich, but it is an exceptional opportunity.
More info: www.rhb.ch
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POSTED IN: Mountains, Scenic & Short Trips
16 opinions for Train Drivers Wanted!
ron
Jan 27, 2008 at 3:28 pm
I find your comment complete train nut extremely rude and offensive. Just because someone has an interest in trains they are a nut? What about if you have an interest in motor sport, or rufus wainwright, are you still a nut?
Geoff
Jan 27, 2008 at 4:51 pm
Ron,
I’m sorry you’re offended. Not very sorry, just a little bit.
I can’t and won’t write to take into account how people will react to terms that I use. I think political correctness is ruining the world.
Modern English is incredibly varied depending on your nation of origin, mother tongue, social group and age. I am not implying any implication of mental illness, so please try not to think I am being rude.
I have an interest in trains. And motor sport, and Rufus as you point out. I guess that makes me a nut three times over. I’m very happy about that.
MG
Jan 28, 2008 at 5:11 pm
You’re just a complete and utter nutter… (Geoff I mean…)
Geoff
Jan 29, 2008 at 1:00 am
Thanks :-) I’ll settle for Fruit and Nut cake…
Lucy
Jan 29, 2008 at 11:05 am
Mmm, actually I agree with Ron. You were being offensive Geoff.
Mary Jo
Jan 30, 2008 at 7:06 am
One of the definitions of a “nut” is an “enthusiast: somebody with a deep interest in something.”
I’ve certainly used the phrase the way, and having considered myself about a number of topics, I’ve never thought of it at offensive nor derogatory.
Lucy
Jan 30, 2008 at 3:23 pm
another definition is someone crazy and that is why I guess Ron is objecting
ron
Jan 30, 2008 at 6:04 pm
Thanks Lucy, that is it exactly.
Geoff
Jan 31, 2008 at 8:20 pm
Good to know that “crazy” is not offensive :-)
And to show there is no hard feelings, I hope you approve of today’s post about Adolf Wölfli, who clearly was mentally ill.
Conrad
Feb 20, 2008 at 6:10 am
nut or not, im a traindriver, and hehe, im NUTS about trains.:-)
Mike
Mar 10, 2008 at 12:21 pm
I’d like to commend you, Geoff, for taking a firm stance regarding this. In today’s vernacular, “crazy” doesn’t necessarily imply mental illness.
I, for one, am “crazy” about video games. I’m also “crazy” about chocolates, mangoes, and my new iPod. Am I mentally unstable? Not at all.
To ron and Lucy: I think you should get out more often. No offense meant, but you can’t take everything literally. If one says it’s “water under the bridge.” and said person is talking about past problems, it does not literally mean H2O under a structure that connects two land forms.
Geoff
Mar 10, 2008 at 12:58 pm
Mike, Thanks for your thoughts and support.
And hopefully one of my latest posts, on the Psychatric Museum in Bern hasn’t offended anyone :-)
hanky panky
Jun 20, 2008 at 9:28 pm
Why argue about “nut”? The train ride is spectacular! I’d unload the money if I were over there. Maybe I’m nuts. Who cares?
Geoff
Jun 21, 2008 at 11:06 am
I thought this was dead and buried! I’m just about to tuck into a nice bar of Cadbury’s Fruit and Nut chocolate that I brought back from the UK last weekend. Importing chocolate into Switzerland? What does that make me? :-)
Conrad
Jul 1, 2008 at 11:42 pm
Ah, good question.. Think that would be a chocolate smuggler :)
Geoff
Jul 1, 2008 at 11:51 pm
You could be right there Conrad. Coincidentally, I just happened to find a further (smaller) bar of (nut free) chocolate in my travel bag today, but it’s still Cadbury’s. Can’t decide whether to save or savour…
Just don’t tell the customs guys!
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