PHOTO STORY | Dampfbahn-Verein Zürich Oberland DVZO

6 September 2009

This was the first full day in Switzerland without jet lag. Having stayed the night at Wiedlisbach, I caught a train to Zürich HB via Niederbipp and Olten to go on an excursion to the Dampfbahn Verein Zürcher Oberland (DVZO). The S-Bahn conveyed me to Hinwil, the terminus of the museum railway. A quick beer was had to kill time while waiting for the train was had at the ‘Café Restaurant Bahnhof’.

Operating on the former Uerikon-Bauma Bahn between Hinwil and Bauma, the line was closed in 1978 and was taken over by the society of volunteers the same year. The line is equipped with overhead catenary to supply power to electric locomotives, which means they are not limited to steam trains, but on this glorious Sunday afternoon, it was a steam train! The beautifully restored former Mittelthurgaubahn (MThB)Ec 3/5 No. 3 made light work of the equally restored historic SBB coaches.

The scenery through rolling hills and lush forests of the Zürcher Oberland and the views beyond were quite spectacular. The return journey took me via Winterthur back to Zürich for the night.