Landwasser Viadukt

Landwasser Viadukt

Yes, I know there’s something a wee bit “off” with this photograph of the
Landwasser Viadukt, along the Albula Line of the Rhätische Bahn.

As in: Where’s the train?

If you follow my work on f-c, you know how fond I am of shooting the bright red trains of the RhB
on this magnificent structure. [Please navigate my Rhätische Bahn and Kodachrome! folders.]

And, on a number of photo perfect autumn afternoons in October 2010, I did just that, whether from RhB trains
approaching or crossing the Landwasser, or from this high viewpoint near Filisur, including as long hoped for
motifs for my remaining stash of Kodachrome 25, while that iconic slide film could still be processed.

But the camera with the fine grain Agfa APX-25 was also along on this lovely afternoon. And, while waiting for that
first train to appear, I thought I might take a moment to shoot the bridge in its impressive Alpine setting in black and white.

And my hope for a future shoot - hopefully on a day as splendid as this one! - will be if the Rhätische Bahn runs a vintage steam train on this line, or even one pulled by a 1929 vintage Crocodile, to capture it in black and white, as photographers would have done when such equipment was new.

But for now, perhaps this photograph will allow you to imagine the rhythmic chuffing of No.107 “Albula” or one of her
iron horse stablemates, drawing ever nearer, the shrill whistle bouncing off the canyon walls as she approaches…

Taken on Agfa Pan APX-25 with Nikon FM, 28 mm, with No.25 red filter.

This image is available in archival gallery prints and as a custom printed Photo Note Card.

Photo, Narrative, and Design ©2010/2012 Steve Ember

One of the Kodachromes from that same afternoon (with train, of course!)