It is near Schwyz which is in Switzerland (called Schweiz in German - confusing isn't it?). There is Schwyz, bottom right. Basel is top left.
Stoos is a picturesque mountain community with picturesque (and presumably ludicrously expensive) properties.
It has a cable car station ...
... and a fine hotel all with glorious views.
In fact there are several hotels and restaurants.
But careful observation will reveal that there are narrow roads but no sign of cars.
It looks Christmassy in the snow ...
... and offers a multitude of "pistes" on which to fall over and even break a limb or two. Experienced skiers may enjoy more success!
But, we hear you cry, with no cars, how did the folk get there. Answer, they park on the main road ...
... in sheds to keep the snow off; and then take the train!
In 1933 the Stoosbahn opened.
It ran from Schlattli, which is nowhere in particular on the road from Schwyz to Muotathal, a place you probably haven't heard of either! The upper station is on the northern edge of the mountain village ...
... with an equally spectacular approach.
Three compartment cars were replaced by four ...
Latterly the trains have five cabins ...
... and note a flatbed partition for carrying freight.
The two stations have been modernised ...
... as above at Schlattli, and here at the top.
But, sadly, were you to have aspirations to ride on this superb funicular - well, it's too late. It closed a week ago.
How this sadness can be mitigated will be revealed tomorrow.
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ADVENT CALENDAR - 21
From 1966 to 1976 during the Cultural Revolution, the expression of religious life in China was effectively banned, but religions began to recover after the economic reforms of the 1970s. Since then, persecution of Christians in China has been sporadic.
A Christian spiritual revival has grown in recent decades. While the Communist Party remains officially atheist, it has become more tolerant of churches outside party control. Christianity has grown rapidly, reaching 67 million people.
One Christian church had 800,000 members!
Services on the Sabbath run continuously, one after the other, to accommodate all who wish to attend.
But whether Christianity is "in" or "out" of favour, China celebrates Christmas.
There are lights ...
... hundreds of Santas ...
... and Christmas trees.
Most Chinese will eat out to "celebrate" but many restaurants offer "western menu".
67 million Chinese Christians celebrating Christ Mas and the remaining 1300 million celebrate Christmas.
Crazy? And the word for Christmas Eve in Chinese?
It mans "The Quiet Night" or "The Peaceful Night"; so that's about right.
Silent night, holy night,
All is calm, all is bright
Round yon virgin mother and child.
Holy infant, so tender and mild,
Sleep in heavenly peace,
Sleep in heavenly peace.
Silent night, holy night,
Shepherds quake at the sight;
Glories stream from heaven afar,
Heavenly hosts sing Alleluia!
Christ the Savior is born,
Christ the Savior is born!
Silent night, holy night,
Son of God, love's pure light;
Radiant beams from thy holy face
With the dawn of redeeming grace,
Jesus, Lord, at thy birth,
Jesus, Lord, at thy birth.
Next Stoos noos blog : Friday 22nd December
I would suggest that the trailer car for freight is intended for the carriage of skis outside the passenger compartments.
ReplyDeleteSo, the skis are freight, just as are the (unaccompanied) cakes and fish conveyed on HSTs from Penzance up to the capital.
The promotional video for the new line shows a load of bricks in the freight "compartment". See tomorrow's blog.
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