Tahoe Junction Division
inspired by Switzerland’s legendary Bernina Pass Railway
2627247615
Tahoe Junction Division
The Tahoe Junction Division is inspired by Switzerland’s legendary Bernina Pass Railway from Tirano, Italy, to St. Moritz, Switzerland. The journey begins in the lowlands as it departs the Western Pacific Division. From there, the double-track mainline climbs nearly 40 vertical feet — representing over 1,100 scale feet of elevation gain — on an average 6% mountain grade through the rugged alpine landscape. Just like the real railroad in Switzerland.
The Ascent
The Ascent
Tunnel 1 - 10
From the Alpine Yard to Vevey Station
Tunnels 1–3: Depart the Western Pacific Division and transition into the rising foothills of the high country.
Tunnels 4–6: Enter the “Eights Pass” region, a dramatic stacked figure-8 alignment engineered for maximum vertical gain within minimal horizontal distance.
Tunnel 7: Carves through the Great Wall and onto the ridgeline of the narrow granite gorge.
Tunnel 8: Marks the scenic approach to Harris Junction.
Just before Harris Junction, you pass through a double crossover, that allows trains to change tracks or connect to the Alpine Division, home to St. Saphron and Alta Station.
William’s Crossing Viaduct is next as you enter Harris Junction.
Tunnel 9: A full 360-degree granite-cut helix — a masterpiece of mountain engineering.
Tunnel 10: Emerges onto a massive circular stone viaduct that soars nearly 200 scale feet above the valley floor.
From this vantage point, trains cross above Tunnel 9, offering passengers their first sweeping view of the Alpine Division, Alta Station, and the Tahoe Junction ski area.
The Summit Approach
The Mooser Wirt Tunnel
A playful tribute to the famed après-ski bar in St. Anton, Austria
Hillbilly Flatts & Epesses
Tunnel 11 – The Mooser Wirt Tunnel: A playful tribute to the famed après-ski bar in St. Anton, Austria. This illuminated tunnel comes alive each evening with color-changing lights, arched viewing windows, and festive music from the actual DJ playing in Austria.
Tunnel 12: The route loops gracefully around the summit lookout towers.
Tunnel 13 & 14– Twin Summit Tunnels 1: Arrival at Tahoe Junction, featuring Kleine Scheidegg Station, MacLean Lodge, and a dedicated freight siding.
Tunnel 15 – Summit Tunnel 2: Marks the turning point where trains gracefully loop around the summit and begin their descent on the opposite mainline, returning to the valley below.
The Summit
Gordon MacLean
Tahoe Junction honors an area near the summit of Mount Rose Highway (431) and Tamarack Peak, Nevada.
The Summit — Why “Tahoe Junction”?
The name Tahoe Junction honors an area near the summit of Mount Rose Highway (431) and Tamarack Peak, Nevada. The location was named by my father, Gordon MacLean, and was a beloved family retreat for over 50 years. In winter, the site was easily reached by Sno-Cat from our MacLean family log cabin at Incline Lake.
From its nearly 10,000-foot elevation, the panoramic views stretch south to Lake Tahoe and north across the Truckee Meadows and Reno — the perfect terrain for our family Sno-Cat skiing adventures.
