Niesenbahn
Overview
Statusin operation
OwnerNiesenbahn AG (since 2011); Niesen-Bahn-Gesellschaft (‥–2011, name change)
LocaleCanton of Bern
Switzerland
Termini
Stations3 (including "Schwandegg")
Websiteniesen.ch
Service
Typefunicular with 2 sections
Route number2405[1]
Operator(s)Niesenbahn AG
Rolling stock4 (2 per section, for 60 passengers each)
History
Opened15 July 1910 (1910-07-15)
Technical
Line length3.5 km (2.2 mi)
Number of tracks1 (each section with a passing loop)
Track gauge1,000 mm (3 ft 3+3⁄8 in)
Electrificationfrom opening
Highest elevation2,336 m (7,664 ft)
Maximum incline68%
The funicular above Mülenen station

The Niesenbahn is a funicular railway above Lake Thun in the canton of Bern, Switzerland. It links a lower terminus, in the village of Mülenen at 693 m and adjacent to Mülenen station on the Lötschberg railway line, with an upper terminus at 2336 m near the summit of Niesen, a viewpoint above the lake and Bernese Oberland.The funicular is divided into two portions with a total length of 3.5 kilometers, an elevation difference of 1643 meters, and a maximum slope of 68%.

Construction of the line commenced in 1906, and it opened in 1910.[2]

The service stairway for the Niesenbahn funicular is listed by Guinness Book of Records as the longest stairway, with 11,674 steps and a height of 1,669 m (5,476 ft).[3] The stairs are usually employee-only, but there is a public run called "Niesenlauf" once a year.

The line is owned and operated by the Niesenbahn AG.[4][5][6]

Operation

The line operates from late April to mid November, with cars operating every 30 minutes between 08:00 and 17:00. A 15-minute interval service is provided at busy periods, and evening services are operated on some days.[7]

The line comprises two sections, with an interchange station at Schwandegg, and has the following parameters:[4][5][6]

Feature Lower section Upper section
Number of cars 2 2
Number of stops 2 2
Configuration Single track with passing loop Single track with passing loop
Track length 2,112 m (6,929 ft) 1,388 m (4,554 ft)
Rise 975 m (3,199 ft) 667 m (2,188 ft)
Maximum gradient 66% 68%
Track gauge 1,000 mm (3 ft 3+3⁄8 in) metre gauge 1,000 mm (3 ft 3+3⁄8 in) metre gauge
Speed 2.9 m/s (9.5 ft/s) 2.0 m/s (6.6 ft/s)
Journey time 13 mins 12.5 mins
Capacity 60 passengers per car; 120 persons in each direction per hour 60 passengers per car; 120 persons in each direction per hour
Share of the Niesen-Bahn-Gesellschaft, issued 1. October 1907 [8]

Further reading

  • Doyon, Josy (1984), Ein Königreich am Fuss des Niesen (in German), Bern: Verlag Blaukreuz, ISBN 3-85580-169-X
  • Petroni, Bruno (2010), Der Niesen und seine Bahn (in German), Interlaken: Verlag Schlaefli & Maurer, ISBN 978-3-85884-082-0
  • Niesenbahn at Zeno.org. Article by: Viktor von Röll (ed.): Enzyklopädie des Eisenbahnwesens (Encyclopaedia of the Railway), 2nd edition, 1912–1923, Vol. 7, p. 360

References

  1. ↑ "2405: Niesen Kulm - Mülenen" (PDF), Fahrplanfelder.ch, Tableaux-horaires.ch (in German), 2022, 2405
  2. ↑ "Infos Niesen Funicular". Niesenbahn AG. Archived from the original on 14 August 2011. Retrieved 24 May 2013.
  3. ↑ "Science and Technology/Structures/Long Stairway". Guinness World Records. Archived from the original on 19 November 2005. Retrieved 19 November 2019.
  4. 1 2 "NB Neisenbahn". Funimag. Retrieved 24 May 2013.
  5. 1 2 "61.034 Mülenen - Schwandegg, Mülenen funicular". Schweizer Seilbahninventar = Inventaire suisse des installations à câbles = Inventario svizzero degli impianti a fune [Swiss Inventory of Cableways] (in German). Federal Office of Culture. 2011. Retrieved 24 May 2013.
  6. 1 2 "61.035 Schwandegg - Niesen Kulm, Mülenen funicular". Schweizer Seilbahninventar = Inventaire suisse des installations à câbles = Inventario svizzero degli impianti a fune [Swiss Inventory of Cableways] (in German). Federal Office of Culture. 2011. Retrieved 24 May 2013.
  7. ↑ "Timetable Niesen Funicular". Niesenbahn AG. Archived from the original on 28 May 2013. Retrieved 24 May 2013.
  8. ↑ Suppes, Bernd (1994). Suppes 94/95 Historische Wertpapiere (ISSN 0936-9406). Wiesbaden-Bieberich: WWA Bernd Suppes. p. 467.

46°38′22″N 7°41′25″E / 46.639356°N 7.69021°E / 46.639356; 7.69021

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