Monday 26 August - Rhein Falls and Smilestones Model Railway

A very green building. Presume there is a door somewhere

We took the train to Rhein Falls near Neuhausen first thing. This gave us an opportunity to visit the falls before Smilestones opened.

Smilestones is a new model railway which opened less than a year ago. It is very close to the station and has an interesting philosophy. They try to model specific parts of the country or specific aspects of Swiss life. The section covering the Rhein Falls and the adjacent area is very true to the real thing. Great attention has been paid to the details but I am not sure there is enough to maintain the interest, particularly of the younger visitors. The trains run around and into tunnels and it is never certain where or when they will reappear. The island parts are evidently used for helices and fiddle yards.  The details are interesting and people spent some time looking for them. There were lights in the buildings that came up when the lights went down to simulate night time (just as annoying as Miniatur Wunderland).  There were a few road vehicles moving under a Falher type system but none of the many stationary road vehicles was lit.

The water features were very well done although more attention could have been given to the water line in sandy areas.

There is a new section of mountains which will be very impressive when it is completed and it will be worth while coming back to see this.

Democracy in action at Appenzell

Churchyard at Appenzell

An ostrich farm

Looks like someone looked at the plans upside down

Good water effects

Going to sleep in a field!

Rhein Falls

Rhein Falls

Interesting display of cars

To get back to Zurich we took a local train to St. Gallen via Romansthorn, along by Lake Constance. We deliberately chose to take one of the new Twindexx trains from St. Gallen to Zurich. The best part about it was the new train smell.  These Bombardier trains are about five years late and there are still teething problems.  We found the ride was very poor and it was best to sit down in the top deck as it swayed through curves.  Nothing to write home about.

Another poor Bombardier product.