Tuesday 8 September 2026 - Visit to the BLS Historic Group in Burgdorf

This looks a little like a garden shed but we were assured that it pulled just as well as the others

Today we visited the BLS historical group to see their collection at Burgdorf. 

Allotments 

Before dealing with the subject today I think it worthwhile making a comment about a feature which is very often seen in Switzerland is not frequently remarked about. Allotments. Many towns will have an area or area set aside for people to have quite small pieces of land upon which they can grow vegetables. Little huts have been put up and in some cases a form of greenhouse using plastic sheeting and occasionally a small shed which might be used to sleep in during the summer. I believe this goes back a long way and we had a similar system at home in the UK my grandfather had an allotment from the Orpington county council. It was a short walk away from the house and on it he was able to grow a vast collection of vegetables that would not have been possible in his regular home garden. My father took over this allotment and many the Sunday I walked up to the allotment with my dad he pushing a wheelbarrow containing tools and which we used to bring back all vegetables for Mm to cook for Sunday lunch. We see them frequently in Switzerland and many of them have flagpoles flying the Swiss flag

Today we went to Burgdorf this morning where the Bern, Lotchberg and Simplon Railway (BLS) has it s heritage quarters. I arranged a special visit for Paul and myself and we would treated extremely well. There is a great deal of work under going to expand the operation but it is still quite impressive what they have. The archives are well set out and well collected, both on paper and pictures and physically. For example, there is one complete cupboard which contains a large selection of caps of different colors that have been used by the BLS staff over the years. 

  

We were taken to the locomotive hall where there is an interesting selection of heritage electric locomotives. BLS was forefront in the development of the electric locomotive. We were taken over several of them and afterwards given a demonstration of ta locomotive cab simulator. 

t was very hot today and we decided to curtail our plans somewhat. We had a good lunch at Migros in Burghdorf and then took a train back to Solothurn changed for Bielle and again for Neuchatel where a quick look around  produced Magnums and then we took another train back to Yverdon-les-Bains,. The outlook was good and so we decided to take the narrow gauge train from Yverdon to St Croix, This is always a wonderful trip first through the fairly flat lowlands until we come to Baulmes and then there's that incredible climb up the face of the Jura through thick forest to get to St, Croix. The train back was busy with all the school children but the ride back with the wonderful views over the plain towards Yverdon was certainly worthwhile.