Google launches Railway Street View

The UNESCO World Heritage Albula/Bernina line on the Rhätische Bahn or Rhaetian Railways system was the first railway line to be given Google Streetview coverage - last week views were unveiled at the Transport Museum in Lucerne.

The RhB and Google worked together last October to show the magnificent scenery and craftsmanship of this very special train line, with StreetView images from the 122 km between Thusis in canton Graubunden and Tirano in Italy.

The project is part of a larger co-operative effort between UNESCO and Google to make digital visits of World Heritage sites available to people around the world, says Mattias Nutt, director of UNESCO Destination Switzerland.

Mounting the Google Trike onto the Rhaetian Railways train roof

The images were shot by Street View cameras mounted on a “Trike”, a three-wheeled bicycle placed on one of the Rhaetian Railways cars that was specially prepared for the job. It was put at the head of a special train, allowing the cameras to take a series of panoramic photos of the line and its vistas.

Four of Google’s new Rhaetian Railways Street Views

Ospizio Bernina, Poschiavo
Val Bever
Lago Bianco
Alp Grüm