We ride behind a steam locomotive and visit a psychiatric institution - Sunday 25 August 2024

The highlight of the day was to see this steam locomotive operating between Triengen and Sursee.
We started quite early and took a train to Aarau where we transferred to the narrow gauge line to Schoftland.
Tram for Schoftland at Aarau
We had some time to spare at Schoftland and wandered around this quiet town on a Sunday morning.

We caught the Postbus to Triengen where the steam train was waiting. Buying our tickets proved very interesting. The volunteer lady ticket seller turned out to be an SBB driver who drove trains through the Gotthard tunnel, including the high speed Girounos. We had a great discussion and enjoyed the trip to Sursee immensely. This is an SBB non-electrified branch line used for the steam trains one Sunday in the month. At Sursee they use the main station.
This is one of two locomotives that were converted to run off electricity during the coal shortage in the second world war. 

Running round its train at Sursee.
From Sursee we took a train to Bern and had a quick look around.
The funicular at Bern, near the national parliament building.

For the first time this trip we rode a BLS train, this one to Munsingen.
At the Munsingen Psychiatric Institution there is a garden railway that is open at certain times to the public. It is well run, there were many trains in operation and the children were having a great time. The institution helps people with mental disorders. The grounds are extensive and well kept. The visitors were enjoying themselves. Here are a few pictures.




I am happy to say that they let Paul and me leave and we caught a train back to Bern and another one straight back to Zurich.
It was a good day. After Sursee we had planned to look at the steam excursion over the rack section of the Brunig line but this had to be cancelled just over a week ago because a severe rain storm had damaged the line which will remain closed for another few weeks while repairs are carried out.  Munsingen was a good back up.







 





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