Up and above.

On the sunny Sunday morning as we arrived at the Interlaken east railway station the Berner Oberland bahn leaving for Lauterbrunnen was already at the station. We had already decided our route to reach the top of Europe before leaving for Switzerland. The choice of the route was very common and obvious one. We rushed to catch the train and managed to get window seats of us. Settling in the train with Arnav and his pram is a task which we still haven't mastered so well! 
I was fully charged up with my cruise on the Lake Thun on the previous evening and was looking forward for this train journey. The memories of my last train journey  from Garmisch to the snow clad peak of Zugspite was still fresh in my mind. Even though I knew that this was a similar journey I was hoping for a new experience.
The first part of the journey from Interlaken to Lauterbrunnen was of 20 minutes. As the train sped over a relatively gentle terrain the nature began to unfold its panorama in front of us. The melting snow cascaded down the hills in numerous foaming shallow streams. The foothills along the tracks were adorned with dense coniferous trees sprinkled with small houses. Lush greens meadows spread on the hill slopes were basking in the summer sun. .The wild flowers blooming on the lush green meadows make a colourful weave in the entire landscape. The Swiss Pines and the Spruces dominated the upper part of the hills. 

   

As we reached Lautenbrunnen the connecting train was already waiting to take the passengers to Kleine Scheidgge, the next destination on this route. We decided to leave this train and take a short walk around the station area. As we came out of the station the tall montains welcomed us and we got the first glimpse of snow capped mountain range framed between the bald white cliffs.

The surrounding landscape proved true to its name "Lauterbrunnen" which is a combination of lauter meaning many, and brunnen meaning spring or fountain. We could see the slender streams meandering through the hilly terrain as we walked along the railway tracks.
The  warm sunshine blended comfortably with the chill of the winds making it a perfect day to enjoy the snow. 

After enjoying the walk for about 1/2 an hour we returned to the station to catch the next train going to Kleine Scheidgge. The Wengernalpbahn is the world's largest rack railway line which runs from Lauternbrunen and Grindelwald to Kleine Scheidgge.
The train crawled uphill through the steep mountainous terrain with large panorama of Eiger and Lauberhorn peaks on either side. As we moved up the mountains grew taller and the valleys sunk deeper.The trees started disappearing from the landscape leaving large expanse of lush green meadows with abundant wild flora. Soon we were tucked in the blanket of white fluffy clouds giving an occasional glimpse of the snow covered mountain tips.  As we reached the station we were well above the clouds and the bright blue sky shone brightly above us.

Kleine Scheidegge station is surrounded by small cosy hotels and restaurants which serve as the final resting point before the final part of the journey to the Jungfraujoch station. 
Trees completely disappear from the landscape in this region. The aeonian grasslands are intersected by the twisting railway track with canopies bridging over occasional streams and slender trails. The bright red railcars look like small caterpillars crawling up on the green lawns.

We boarded the Jungfraubahn to cover the final part of our jouney to be on the top of Europe. As soon as the train started the LCD screens in the railcars lit up. We were welcomed in German, French, English and Japenese languages. As soon as we entered the first tunnel the short documentary took us through history of the Jungffraubahn. It was an quite an impressive documentary which described the conception and construction of this engineering marvel  through old pictures and video clips.It also gave us inforamation about the interesting experience that was waiting for us at the Jungfraujoch. 
The entire journey of 9 kms was covered through three tunnels which spanned across the height of 1393m. A lot of passengers got down at the Eigernordwand and Eismeer railway stations to enjoy the panoramic view of the through the viewing galleries. We missed the opportunity as Arnav was taking his afternoon nap on our laps! 

Soon we reached the final destination at Jungfraujoch, the highest railway station in Europe. The entire journey up to the top was a memorable and refreshing experience which had raised our expectations about the actual destination.
Jungfraujoch  was a mesmerising experience by itself. The ice sculptures in the Ice Palace, the breathtaking  view of Eiger, Monch and Jungfrau rising above the clouds from the Viewing Plateau and the Sphinx terraces were experience of lifetime.  we were looking forward to enjoy the Alpine panorama once again although we were completely exhausted by the time we reached the platforms to commence our journey downhill.
The scenic views and the steaming Swiss cheese Fondue ( a local delicacy) in Grindelwald  made the return journey a perfect finale of this entire experience.