Biel–Magglingen Funicular
The Biel–Magglingen Funicular (German: Magglingenbahn; French: Funiculaire Bienne–Macolin) is a funicular railway in the bilingual city of Biel/Bienne in the Swiss canton of Bern. The funicular links Biel/Bienne at 435 m with Magglingen/Macolin at 873 m in the Jura mountains above the town.[1] The line with a length of 1693 m has a maximum incline of 32% and a difference of elevation of 442 m. The funicular with two cars has a single track with a passing loop.
| Biel–Magglingen Funicular | |
|---|---|
 lower station (before 1910) | |
| Overview | |
| Other name(s) | Drahtseilbahn Biel–Magglingen; Seilbahn Biel–Magglingen; Funiculaire Bienne–Macolin; Standseilbahn Biel–Magglingen; Magglingenbahn |
| Status | In operation |
| Owner | Verkehrsbetriebe Biel/Transports publics biennois (since 2014); FUNIC AG (2000-2013); Drahtseilbahn-Gesellschaft Biel-Magglingen |
| Locale | Biel/Bienne, Switzerland |
| Termini |
|
| Stations | 2 |
| Service | |
| Type | Funicular |
| Operator(s) | Verkehrsbetriebe Biel/Transports publics biennois (short: VB/TPB) |
| Rolling stock | 2 |
| History | |
| Opened | 2 June 1887 |
| Enhancements | 1923, 1954, 2001, 2019 |
| Technical | |
| Track length | 1,693 m (5,554 ft) |
| Number of tracks | 1 with passing loop |
| Rack system | - (initially Riggenbach) |
| Electrification | 1923 (water counterbalancing before) |
| Operating speed | 6 metres per second (19.7 ft/s) |
| Maximum incline | 32% |
The line is owned and operated by Verkehrsbetriebe Biel/Transports publics biennois (short: VB/TPB) since 2014, when it absorbed "FUNIC AG" that also operated nearby Bienne–Evilard Funicular.[1]Initially it was built by Drahtseilbahn-Gesellschaft Biel-Magglingen in 1887.
The funicular isn't operating in spring 2023.[2]
Operation
The line has the following parameters:[1]
| Feature | Value |
|---|---|
| Number of cars | 2 |
| Number of stops | 2 (at terminals) |
| Configuration | Single track with passing loop |
| Track length | 1,693 metres (5,554 ft) |
| Track gauge | (?) |
| Rise | 442 metres (1,450 ft) |
| Maximum gradient | 32% |
| Maximum speed | 6 metres per second (19.7 ft/s) |
| Travel time | 9 minutes |
Gallery
.jpg.webp)
Car dating from 2001
Bridge just above the lower station
Share certificate of Drahtseilbahn-Gesellschaft Biel-Magglingen, issued 5. October 1886
References
- "BM - Biel - Magglingen (Bienne - Macolin)". Funimag. Retrieved 12 October 2011.
- Verkehrsbetriebe Biel. "Magglingenbahn ausser Betrieb bis 08.07.2023" (in German). Retrieved 10 May 2023.
External links
Media related to Biel-Magglingen-Bahn at Wikimedia Commons- Official web site of the FUNIC company (in German and French)