Rhätische Bahn

Rhätische Bahn, also known as RhB or Rhaetian Railway, is a railway company headquartered in Switzerland. It provides both passenger and freight transport services across the southeastern part of the country, primarily within the canton of Graubünden. The company operates regional trains that connect local communities and also runs internationally recognized tourist services such as the Glacier Express and the Bernina Express. Its infrastructure includes standard and narrow gauge lines, with the Albula and Bernina routes forming a core part of its network.

Rhätische Bahn’s network links major towns including Chur, St. Moritz, and Davos, and integrates with the broader Swiss Federal Railway system at key interchange points. The railway serves commuters, regional travelers, and a significant volume of tourists drawn to the alpine scenery and UNESCO‑designated lines. While specific passenger or freight volumes are not detailed in the supplied sources, the company’s role as a vital transport artery in the region is well established.

A distinguishing attribute of Rhätische Bahn is the UNESCO World Heritage status awarded to the Albula and Bernina lines for their outstanding engineering and cultural landscape value. The railway’s narrow‑gauge tracks enable tight curves and steep gradients that are characteristic of alpine routes, offering scenic journeys through valleys, viaducts, and tunnels. This combination of heritage recognition, technical specialization, and tourism focus sets RhB apart from many other European rail operators.

Structurally, Rhätische Bahn operates as a joint‑stock company (Aktiengesellschaft) under Swiss law, with ownership shared between the canton of Graubünden and the Swiss Confederation. This public‑ownership model underscores its mandate to serve both regional mobility needs and broader national transport objectives.