Seilbahn Lauterbrunnen–Grütschalp

Opened in 1891, the Seilbahn Lauterbrunnen–Grütschalp was a 1.4 km[note 1] long funicular railway between Lauterbrunnen and Grütschalp in the Bernese Oberland, Switzerland. From Grütschalp, the Lauterbrunnen–Mürren mountain railway continues to Mürren.[4][2][3] The line had a difference of elevation of 674m at an incline of 41-60%.[note 2][4] The longest viaduct on the line was 220m.[3] The funicular closed on 23 April 2006, and was replaced by an aerial cablecar in December 2006.

Seilbahn Lauterbrunnen-Grütschalp
Original car on grand viaduct (before 1893)[1]
Overview
Other name(s)Seilbahn Lauterbrunnen-Grütsch
StatusCeased operation
OwnerBergbahn Lauterbrunnen-Mürren AG
LocaleBernese Oberland, Switzerland
Termini
Connecting linesGrütschalp–Mürren, Bernese Oberland line
Stations2
Service
TypeFunicular
Route number313
Rolling stock2
History
Opened14 August 1891 (1891-08-14)
Concession1887[2]
Electrification, extension1 June 1902 (1902-06-01)
Removal of rack rail1949
Closed23 April 2006 (2006-04-23)
Technical
Line length1,372 m (4,501 ft)
Number of tracks1 with passing loop
Rack system1891 - 1949: Riggenbach
Track gauge1,000 mm (3 ft 3+3⁄8 in)
Electrification1902
Maximum incline60%
Route map

0.00
Lauterbrunnen
797
Passing loop
1.93
Grütschalp
1,487
km
elev
in metres

Water-counterbalanced line (1891 - 1902)

From line's opening in 1891 until 1902, the line was water powered. The downward car on each trip would be filled with 7m³ of water, sourced from the Staubbach, which counterbalanced the weight of the upward car. During this period, the track had three rails except at the upper station where there were four.[5]

The rope, manufactured by Felten & Guillaume, had a diameter of 32.6mm and consisted of 125 wires of 26.3mm diameter externally and 72 wires of 1.3mm diameter internally. It had a breaking strength of 62,000 kg and a weight of 3.5 kg/m.[4][1][3] By 1892 it had run approximately 5000 km and stretched by 15m in length.[1]

Electrified line (1902 - 2006)

In 1902, Swiss Locomotive and Machine Works and Joh. Jakob Rieter electrified the line and replaced the cars and cable. A power plant was built at Staubbach, 1.35 km from the upper station. The new cars had 6 compartments for 62 passengers including 54 seats, floor set to be horizontal at 52% incline, 2 axles and total weight of 7950 kg.[5]

In 1949, the Riggenbach rack was removed and the track changed from 3 to 2 rails.[7]

The rope, also manufactured by Felten & Guillaume, had a diameter of 33.6mm and consisted of 6 stands of 16 wires each (7 wires 1.85mm in diameter, and 9 of 2.65mm diameter) around a fiber core. It had a breaking strength of 63,000 kg and a weight of 3.75 kg/m.[5]

  • Lauterbrunnen station and tracks
    Lauterbrunnen station and tracks
  • Funicular at Lauterbrunnen in its final years
    Funicular at Lauterbrunnen in its final years

Notes
  1. Stated length varies: 1392 m,[3] 1372 m,[4] 1380 m[5]
  2. Stated difference of elevation varies: 674 m,[3][6] 671 m,[4] 670 m[5]

References
  1. Strub, Emil (March 1893), "Specialbahnen, insbesondere die Bergbahn Lauterbrunnen-Mürren", Schweizerische Bauzeitung (in German), 21 (12/13): 72–76 (Seilbahn Lauterbrunnen-Grütschalp), 80–84
  2. Lauterbrunnen-Mürrenbahn at Zeno.org. Article by: Viktor von Röll (ed.): Enzyklopädie des Eisenbahnwesens (Encyclopaedia of the Railway), 2nd edition, 1912–1923, Vol. 7, p. 71
  3. Smallenburg, F.W. (13 August 1892), "Die Bergbahn Lauterbrunnen-Mürren", Schweizerische Bauzeitung (in German), 20 (7): 41–46
  4. Strub, Emil (1892), "Unsere Drahtseilbahnen", Schweizerische Bauzeitung (in German), 19 (12/13/16): 77–81, 85–88, 110–111, 113
  5. Abt, Siegfried (4 March 1905), "Umbau der Seilbahn Lauterbrunnen-Grütschalp", Schweizerische Bauzeitung (in German), 45 (9): 107–111
  6. "Chemin de fer de Lauterbrunnen à Murren", Bulletin de la Société vaudoise des ingénieurs et des architectes (in French), 15 (1): 135, 1889
  7. Wägeli, Hans G., Schienennetz Schweiz, Reseau ferré suisse (in German and French)
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