We didn't have to make a very early start today, which gave us a bit more time to recover from yesterday. We had a leisurely breakfast and completed our packing, then made our way to the station, buying our lunch time sandwich before meeting to join the train.
It was another train with panoramic windows right up to the roof, so we had the same problem with reflections when trying to take photographs. I've had to bin two thirds of my photos, which is bit of a shame.
The journey starts with the train entering the Rhine gorge, which is quite narrow, with steep cliffs.
According to the railway guide book, the area was largely inaccessible until the coming of the railway in 1903.
Further up the Rhine, we stopped at a town called Disentis, which is dominated by a huge monastery.
The original church is claimed to date back to the eighth century, and by the eleventh century, it was established as a monastery which had become a well-known stop on the pilgrim route from Germant to Rome. The current monastery and church was built between 1683 and 1695, so it is the oldest Benedictine abbey in Switzerland.
We made a fairly long stop in Dusentis, as the engine has to be changed at this point. After this, the track is very steep and the train uses the rack and pinion system.
You can see it here in my photo, and you are certainly aware of it because the train is suddenly climbing much more steeply than usual and making a clanking sound. I made several attempts to photograph the train to show how steeply we were climbing, but the reflections in the window made it impossible.
At the highest point, Oberalppass, the train has reached over 2000 metres above sea level and the terrain is quite inhospitable.
There are no trees at this altitude, only sparse alpine vegetation and bare and jagged rocks.
You overlook some more fertile valleys far below, and there are snowy peaks in the distance.
As you approach closer to the snowy peaks, you start to see the glaciers.
Eventually, you begin to descend again towards the town of Andermatt.
The descent is very steep indeed, needing the rack and pinion system to be engaged again.
Paul liked the look of Andermatt, he could see evidence of a lot of steep ski trails and he decided he might like to try skiing there.
After Andermatt, the train follows the Rhone valley.
The river water is green here, because it comes direct from the glacier.
The Rhone often floods, apparently, and we could see dams being built for flood control.
Eventually, the train reaches Brig, where we got off. The Glacier Express goes on to Zermatt, but that is the journey we will make tomorrow. We caught a small local train to Kandersteg, where we are staying for three nights.
Kandersteg is a small village which is completely surrounded by mountain peaks. This is the view from the station platform.
You may just be able to see our hotel in this photo, it is just behind the tree on the left with beautiful deep orange coloured autumn leaves. It is called Hotel Victoria, which you may be able to see written on the front of it.
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