Steam railway that travels through the Swiss Alps celebrates its 100th anniversary

Steam railway that travels through the Swiss Alps celebrates its 100th anniversary 1 of 5 | One of DFB’s historic steam trains travels from Realp to Oberwald during a stop at the Furka station, Switzerland, Friday, June 26, 2026. (AP Photo/Niccolo Lupone) 2 of 5 | A steam train makes his way near the Muttbach-Belvedere station near Realp, Switzerland, Friday, June 26, 2026. (AP Photo/Niccolo Lupone) 3 of 5 | Bernhard Lang, volunteer train driver, prepares a steam locomotive at the DFB (Dampfbahn Furka‑Bergstrecke) depot in Realp, Switzerland, Friday, June 26, 2026. (AP Photo/Niccolo Lupone) 4 of 5 | Passengers take photos during a train stop to refill the locomotive with water at Tiefenbach station near Realp, Switzerland, Friday, June 26, 2026. (AP Photo/Niccolo Lupone) 5 of 5 | Interior view of a historic passenger carriage in service on the Furka railway during a stop at the Furka station near Realp, Switzerland, Friday, June 26, 2026. (AP Photo/Niccolo Lupone) 1 of 5 | One of DFB’s historic steam trains travels from Realp to Oberwald during a stop at the Furka station, Switzerland, Friday, June 26, 2026. (AP Photo/Niccolo Lupone) 1 of 5 One of DFB’s historic steam trains travels from Realp to Oberwald during a stop at the Furka station, Switzerland, Friday, June 26, 2026. (AP Photo/Niccolo Lupone) Add AP News on Google Add AP News as your preferred source to see more of our stories on Google. Share 2 of 5 | A steam train makes his way near the Muttbach-Belvedere station near Realp, Switzerland, Friday, June 26, 2026. (AP Photo/Niccolo Lupone) 2 of 5 A steam train makes his way near the Muttbach-Belvedere station near Realp, Switzerland, Friday, June 26, 2026. (AP Photo/Niccolo Lupone) Add AP News on Google Add AP News as your preferred source to see more of our stories on Google. Share 3 of 5 | Bernhard Lang, volunteer train driver, prepares a steam locomotive at the DFB (Dampfbahn Furka‑Bergstrecke) depot in Realp, Switzerland, Friday, June 26, 2026. (AP Photo/Niccolo Lupone) 3 of 5 Bernhard Lang, volunteer train driver, prepares a steam locomotive at the DFB (Dampfbahn Furka‑Bergstrecke) depot in Realp, Switzerland, Friday, June 26, 2026. (AP Photo/Niccolo Lupone) Add AP News on Google Add AP News as your preferred source to see more of our stories on Google. Share 4 of 5 | Passengers take photos during a train stop to refill the locomotive with water at Tiefenbach station near Realp, Switzerland, Friday, June 26, 2026. (AP Photo/Niccolo Lupone) 4 of 5 Passengers take photos during a train stop to refill the locomotive with water at Tiefenbach station near Realp, Switzerland, Friday, June 26, 2026. (AP Photo/Niccolo Lupone) Add AP News on Google Add AP News as your preferred source to see more of our stories on Google. Share 5 of 5 | Interior view of a historic passenger carriage in service on the Furka railway during a stop at the Furka station near Realp, Switzerland, Friday, June 26, 2026. (AP Photo/Niccolo Lupone) 5 of 5 Interior view of a historic passenger carriage in service on the Furka railway during a stop at the Furka station near Realp, Switzerland, Friday, June 26, 2026. (AP Photo/Niccolo Lupone) Add AP News on Google Add AP News as your preferred source to see more of our stories on Google. Share Updated [hour]:[minute] [AMPM] [timezone], [monthFull] [day], [year] Realp, Switzerland (AP) — Train enthusiasts will celebrate the 100th anniversary of a historic Swiss railway this weekend as vintage steam locomotives ferry tourists through the stunning Alpine scenery as part of the celebration.The Furka Pass, at an altitude of 2,431 meters (7,976 feet), is among Switzerland’s highest Alpine passes and famous for its hairpin curves featured in the 1964 James Bond “Goldfinger” movie. But long before 007 actor Sean Connery filmed a harrowing car chase scene there, a steam train first traversed the steep and winding route in a continuous journey on July 3, 1926, kicking off a vital rail link between the regions of Uri and Valais in central Switzerland for decades.In the early 1980s, a tunnel at the base of the Alps diverted rail traffic and prompted the closure of the historic mountain route until volunteers stepped in. Hundreds of them, nicknamed the railway’s “pioneers,” have spent hours to restore, maintain and operate the historic tracks and trains so they run the same as a century ago. The first section of the line reopened as a heritage railway in 1992, and the 18-kilometer (11-mile) track was ready for travel in 2010. The steam trains now operate exclusively as a tourist attraction in the summers between the stations of Realp and Oberwald, where visitors can hop aboard vintage carriages and marvel at the scenery of rivers, Alpine meadows and lush green pastures where patches of snow still linger.