Rhaetian Railway – Prototype and H0m Model Railroading

      If you look closely, you will notice that smoke outlets are only found above two of the stalls; here is the home of G 3/4 Nr. 1 “Rhätia” and G 4/5 Nr. 108 which are stationed at Landquart.

      My tour, however, did not start in the roundhouse, but in the workshop. The first locomotive that I saw there was 222, a real classic: Engine # 204 which was put into service in 1913 was rebuilt in 1946; the result of this renovation was Ge 2/4 Nr. 222. New motors were fitted, and the superstructure was thoroughly renovated. In 1972, 222 was modernized again, but without any greater visible modifications. The engine is still operational, but it is not seen on the tracks very often.

      From the workshops, the tour went on to the depot; the roundhouse which was built in the times of steam traction (right: section from a postcard dating from the turn of the century) is still in use; meanwhile, the turntable is fully under catenary (below).

      Two of the three steam locomotives that are still in use at the RhB are stationed in Landquart; here is Nr. 1, the “Rhätia,” which was put into service in 1889 (when the RhB was still named “Landquart-Davos-Bahn”).

      In front of the “Rhätia,” you see my friendly and knowledgeable guide, Mr. Alexander Choremi. (The RhB does not allow visitors to move around on the premises all by themselves for security reasons.) I wanted to know which railroads could still fascinate someone who is surrounded all day by historical electrical and steam locomotives as well as by the latest high-tech narrow-gauge locomotives. Mr. Choremi told me: He has lost his heart to the narrow gauge railways in Great Britain.