Panorama view to the 172 meter long and 53 meter high Chärstelenbach viaduct between Gurtnellen and Amsteg-Silenen on the Gotthard mountain line and the large building of the hydro powerstation Amsteg of the SBB including the pressure line down the mountain. This power station was built from 1919 to 1922 for the electrification of the Gotthard line. Since 1998, the visible buildings and the pressure line are witness of the past, replaced by the new Amsteg II system entirely built inside the mountain. On the Gotthard line you can see train 31472 "Erlebniszug San Gottardo" returning from Bodio and Lavorgo to Erstfeld. Because the "crocodile" Ce 6/8 II 14253, built in 1919 (same period as the power station), suffered a step switch failure near Wassen, the train is now pulled by Ae 6/6 # 11411 "Zug", which came to rescue in astonishing short time from Erstfeld. In the background is 3073 meter high Bristen mountain, a dominant pyramid in the region.
