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The section of the RhB line between Bergün and Preda is impressive<br />
enough by day. After ten at night it is even more exciting.<br />
"<strong>Contura</strong>" looks over the shoulder of track worker Walter Gubser<br />
as he works on the tracks of the RhB.<br />
Why do all small boys want to be train drivers when they grow up? The real<br />
heroes are not the engine drivers, but the men in orange overalls. Walter<br />
Gubser is one of them. On this night in spring, he guides us over the Albula<br />
Line of the Rhaetian Railway. Countless stars shine on the tracks, viaducts<br />
and helical tunnels; every now and then the moonlight is reflected in the<br />
eyes of a grazing stag. Shortly after 10 pm the last train from Bergün rumbles<br />
through on its way to Preda. Then the track is ours and we do something<br />
not normally allowed. We walk between the rails and over bridges<br />
while Gubser gives us an insight into the workings of this railway, which<br />
has UNESCO World Heritage status.<br />
Hard work - yesterday and today<br />
The railway worker knows every inch of the track, every sleeper and probably<br />
every stone as well. No, that’s not an exaggeration: "In the old days,<br />
our signature tune was tic, tic, tic, tic", he says <strong>–</strong> the noise made by each<br />
team of four as they packed the crushed stones under the sleepers with<br />
their pickaxes. "And woe betide anyone who got out of rhythm", says Gubser.<br />
In time, the pickaxe crews became track assemblers and, later still,<br />
track workers. Nowadays a tamping machine does the work of the pickaxe<br />
crews. Nevertheless, the job is still pretty tough. Gubser, who sometimes<br />
describes himself as a federally certified<br />
track ballast tamping officer, works on<br />
the railway at night for 10-15 weeks a year.<br />
With so many trains using the track, there<br />
is no other solution. No matter whether<br />
it’s 25 degrees below freezing, snowing or<br />
"merely" raining: damaged rails must be<br />
replaced, fallen rocks removed and points<br />
28<br />
www.rhb.ch/contura