A little more of Lucerne. A walk to the ferry boat through the Saturday Farmers market.
A ride over to the museum before our train to Zurich.
The lake is beautiful today and everyday.
A morning visit to the Swiss Museum of Transportation because they are wizards at engineering, innovation and design. We’re huge fans of this amazing train, bus, tram, cogwheel and gondolas system across this spectacular country.
“Sissi” tunnel boring machine from Herrenknecht AG. Four hard rock gripper TBMs were used at the Gotthard. With a diameter of 8.83 meters, “Sissi”(eastern tube) set off together with her sister machine “Heidi” (western tube) in 2003 to tunnel their way through the 13.4-kilometer section from Bodio to the multifunction station in Faido from where the Herren-knecht TBM S-210.1 (450 meters in length and weighing 3,100 tonnes) tun-nelled another 11.1 kilometers through the Gotthard toward Sedrun as of 2007 using the displayed new cutterhead (diameter of 9.43 metres). While the cutterhead rotated, each of the 66 disc cutters was pushed against the rock exerting a pressure of up to 26 tonnes to crush the rock.
Not open so maybe a quick ☕️
First up ENERGY. Why is everything about energy? Our world is in motion – and energy drives it.
Whether it’s your daily commute, a long-distance trip, or global trade: mobility connects people and continents. We take it for granted, but thanks to rapid improvements in technology, growing prosperity, and increasing global connectivity, we are more mobile than ever.
Mobility shapes our energy demand and has a strong impact on the climate – and this is exactly where great potential for change lies. To travel sustainably in the future, we need new technologies, worldwide cooperation, and a more conscious use of energy.
Sit back and experience how mobility is transforming our world. They presented a globe with a story about our planet and what we humans are doing to Mother Earth. We really do need to take this serious because 50 years from now we may not be able to reverse the effects of global warming
Even the NYT had an article about the glaciers retreating and collapsing causing the recent horrific tragedy in Nepal. I think about the future and we can ALL do something.
Solar, wind, renewable energy & resources. Cut back on our own carbon footprint. Electric cars for short (people) and commutes and we might be able to bring this home as a checked bag.
MICROLINO. How much car do you really need?
The Microlino is a vehicle that is ideal for everyday use, whether for travelling to work, visiting friends or shopping.
It offers space for two people with luggage and can be fully charged within 4 hours from a household socket. Thanks to its size, the Microlino requires only 1/3 as much space for parking as a normal car and 50% fewer components.
Attention is also paid to the origin of the components, as 80% of the procured car parts come from Europe.
Maximum range 228 km. Maximum speed 90 km/h. Empty weight 496 kg Drive system 100% electric Motor 12,5 kW
Lots of hands on fun for kids, big & small.
Time for the trains…
The railways are pioneers of electromobility. The first locomotives were powered by coal. However, Switzerland did not have its own coal reserves and was dependent on imports from abroad. For this reason, the electrification of the railways was driven forward quickly. Because Switzerland has numerous lakes and rivers, hydropower was the favoured source of energy in the past as it is today. From the hydroelectric power station, the electricity reaches the overhead line via a transmission line and substation. The pantograph on the train roof establishes the connection to the overhead line and feeds the electrical energy into the train. Today, 100 percent of traction current comes from renewable sources. The railways make a key contribution to sustainable mobility and form the backbone of climate-friendly transport in Switzerland.
Very very impressive collection!!
On to the cogwheel magic
Electrically up the steepest cogwheel railway in the world. From Alpachstad (436 metres above sea level), the steepest cogwheel railway in the world leads up to Mount Pilatus 2,070 m metres above sea level). Over a distance of just 4.6 kilometres, it climbs more than 1,600 metres in altitude – a technical masterpiece. In the 1930s, the Pilatus railway’s steam-powered vehicles were badly worn out. The line was electrified in 1937. The eight new railcars were built by Schweizerische Lokomotiv- und Maschinenfabrik (SLM) and Maschinenfabrik Oerlikon (MFO). Like their predecessors, they utilised the globally unique rack and pinion system developed by Eduard Locher, which made operation on this extremely steep line possible in the first place. Railcar no. 21 was in service until the end of November 2022. The third generation of railcars with a modern design followed in 2023.
If you ever come to Switzerland take time, ride their amazing train system and see this amazing country from the Swiss way of traveling. Highly recommend it!!! Swiss Rail Pass is the way to go!!!
On to the car collection that would make any garage very happy. Again an amazing collection.
Each car brought out and a quick movie played about design, speed and details…I’ll take 2
Next up ships & aviation…a few highlights because we have a boat and train to catch. We loved the detail of each exhibit.
Jacques Piccard developed a submersible for passenger trips at the 1964 National Exhibition in Lau-sanne. It was named after his father Auguste Piccard and used for research projects all over the world after Expo 64. The Mesoscaph embodies a series of superlatives: it is the first and largest tourist submersible in the world, the submersible with the highest number of passengers and the civilian submersible with the highest number of submerged hours. Our goal is to present it in its 1964 external condition.
They make timeless treasures too
A cool clock that mesmerized all I stayed til the lil silver ball made it all the way….
A few classics and we prefer bigger and modern…
A new one
We really wish we had more time but Zürich is our next stop and we’ve got a boat & train to catch…
One the walk to the pier we saw this and it’s for anyone to use while picnicking or sun bathing…hold your drink or snacks from being on the ground and return it when you’re finished.
One of the best things about Swiss train stations is the cafes, the great signage, the cleanliness, and they all have a piano. We’ve been entertained by pianist across the country. Today was a special 🎶 treat
On to Zurich just an hour ride and we’re there greeted by
COOL here it is Jeffs favorite clock “meeting place” and there’s a smaller version coming home with us.
Hey Sally 👀 💙
Outside it’s very peoply and we have to roll through to find the #4 Tram to our next home away from home…
Look what’s out front adorbs
Get settled, quick trip to Micros grocery and chill. Tomorrow we explore the waterfalls…
