Street View hits the stunning Swiss Alps railways

(Cross-posted on the Official Google Blog)

From the Amazon to the ancient ruins of Pompeii, Street View technology has put imagery of some of the world’s most interesting and significant sites online for everyone to enjoy. Now, for the first time in Google Maps, we’re hitting the train tracks to capture the majesty of the famous railway lines of the Swiss Alps and the surrounding scenery.

In cooperation with Rhaetian Railway, our Street View team has collected images from one of the world’s most scenic railway routes—the Albula-Bernina line in Switzerland—that will soon be live on Google Maps. The picturesque route through the Swiss Alps is one of most famous in the world, winding its way through wild mountain scenery from Thusis, Switzerland; past the resort town of St. Moritz; to its final stop just over the border in Tirano, Italy.

View Albula-Bernina Line in a larger map

A complex system of tunnels, viaducts and galleries allow the railway line to pass through the narrow valleys and climb almost 2,000 meters in altitude. It’s unique to see technology and architecture like this in a natural landscape, and the route is a popular tourist destination offering amazing photography opportunities.

To capture the stunning scenery for Street View, we mounted our trike—a three-wheel pedicab with a camera system on top—to a flatbed at the front of a train. As the train travelled along the line, cameras facing nine different directions captured still photos of the surrounding areas that we’re now stitching together into 360-degree panoramic views. Soon, we’ll publish the imagery on Google Maps for people around the globe to enjoy and experience themselves. The imagery will provide admirers of this route with completely new perspectives, and also help document and preserve this UNESCO World Heritage site.

In the meantime, enjoy these photos from imagery collection day:

To get the latest on Street View go to maps.google.com/streetview.

Posted by Ulf Spitzer, Street View Program Manager, Europe

Calling all train fans!

 Winnsboro, S.C.


It's been years since I rode a steam engine train but for some reason the cooler air made me think of it. I checked the web site to confirm that they still offered the fall train ride in Winnsboro and tracked down these pictures from a few years ago. I did it all in time for you to make your plans for a day trip. See the schedule and link below. What fun!

I used to ride the old British steam engines in India with bits of coal dust floating in the windows. We'd buy sweet hot tea in thin clay mugs at station stops and then gleefully throw them out the window to crumble when we were done. It was much more satisfying than drinking from Styrofoam cups.
 
 Winnsboro, S.C. Train Ride


October 15, 16, 22 and 23, 2011 - Steam Train Specials

Fare Information:
Adult Ticket (Ages 12 and up):	$10.00
Child's Ticket (Ages 1 to 11):	$7.00
First Class Ticket (All ages - includes light refreshment and snack in relaxed atmosphere comfort)	$15.00
Fares subject to change without prior notice. There are no advanced ticket sales. The museum reserves the right to cancel, reschedule trains and operating days or to substitute equipment, or adjust the trip length as required or necessary.For more information, please call 803-635-4242 (9-5 Weekdays) or call 803-635-9893 (Recorded message only).