Global Treasures: Semmering Railway

Television Director: Ullman, Frank

Producer: Scarson, Peter O.

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Catalogue Number: GTR-DVD-1202

UPC: 879061008016

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Global Treasures - History's Most Protected Monuments - Heritage is our legacy from the past, what we live today, and what we pass on to future generations. Our cultural and natural heritage are both irreplaceable sources of life and inspiration. Places as unique and diverse as the wilds of East Africa's Serengeti, the Pyramids of Egypt, the Great Barrier Reef in Australia and the Baroque cathedrals of Latin America make up our world's heritage. Join us as we explore one of these protected monuments.

The Semmering Railroad is a remarkable Alpine railway line that has been operating in Austria for 150 years.

Construction of a railroad across mountain terrain posed a major problem, but the Semmering Railway that embarked from Payerbach overcame all obstacles.

One of the most impressive architectural achievements of the railroad is the 227-metre-long and 24-metre-high Schwarza Viaduct.

The railway line to the Semmering Pass contains 16 viaducts, more than 100 bridges and 15 tunnels. A huge quantity of manpower was used to create it, with 20,000 workers engaged to complete the daunting task. However, the line was inaugurated after only six years of construction.

Steam trains were eventually replaced by electric trains, but the railway itself has hardly changed at all and continues to form part of a fascinating and irresistible combination of both technology and nature.