Brooms

[Claude]

Having taking a ride on the Bernina Express a few days ago, I came across this strange looking installation a few meters before the train was entering a tunnel.

be3.gif

I happen to know why they are there, can loungers guess what purpose they serve ?

This is a photo of the train shortly before encountering the above.

be1.gif

[Rudi]

A few guesses:

1. To clean the train
2. Free transport for any witches aboard
3. To ward off evil spirits
4. To remind the driver to sweep the porch before his wife comes home
5. Stowage for brooms used to clean the railway lines and rail switches at this intersection

One of the above must be close to the real answer

[Claude]

1:

Spoiler

no

2:

Spoiler

no

3:

Spoiler

no

4:

Spoiler

no

5:

Spoiler

no

Spoiler

[Leif]

To smack you in the face if you are leaning out of the window?

[Claude]

To smack you in the face if you are leaning out of the window?

Spoiler

Yes, the tunnel the train is about to enter is dangerously narrow, head out the window could be fatal.

[Rudi]

If it were a bullet train, the brooms would cause just as much damage as a concrete wall!
However, for this train I applause the considerate nature of the railway staff. Getting smacked in the face with a dirty broom is MUCH better than being clobbered in the head by a concrete flat hand!

Apologies for not using spoilers...I didn't notice it was the puzzles forum

[Leif]

...I didn't notice it was the puzzles forum

Spoiler

Must be the onset of tunnel vision...

[Rudi]

Quite true...

I've already swept it under the rug...

[Leif]

And another thing - these tunnels are not made from concrete, but instead from compacted cuckoo poo, a plentiful by-product of the Swiss clock industry. Don't you know nuffin?

[Rudi]

Serious???
...and here I thought it was spread evenly across the hills; hence them being so green!