Thunersee–Beatenberg Funicular

The Thunersee–Beatenberg Funicular (German: Thunersee–Beatenberg Bahn; TBB) is a funicular in the Swiss Canton of Berne. It links a jetty, at Beatenbucht in the municipality of Sigriswil and on the shores of Lake Thun, to the village of Beatenberg, situated on the plateau above at 1,120 metres (3,675 ft) above sea level.[5]

Thunersee–Beatenberg Funicular
car (2005)
Overview
Other name(s)Drahtseilbahn Thunersee-Beatenberg, Beatenbergbahn, Drahtseilbahn Thunersee-St. Beatenberg
StatusIn operation
OwnerNiederhornbahn AG (since 2014); Previous names: Drahtseilbahn Thunersee-St. Beatenberg (1889–1906), Drahtseilbahn Thunersee-St. Beatenberg (Beatenberbahn) (1906–1947), Drahtseilbahn Thunersee-Beatenberg (Beatenbergbahn) (1947–2010); Beatenbergbahn AG (2010–2014)
Coordinates46.6863°N 7.7590°E / 46.6863; 7.7590
Termini
  • "Beatenbucht (Beatenbergbahn)"
  • Beatenberg
Stations3 (including Birchi)
Websiteniederhorn.ch
Service
TypeFunicular
Operator(s)Verkehrsbetriebe STI
Rolling stock2 for 90 passengers each
History
Opened21 June 1889 (1889-06-21)
Concession1887,[1][2] 1967[3][4]
Technical
Line length1,689 metres (5,541 ft)
Number of tracks1 with passing loop
Track gauge1,200 mm (3 ft 11+1⁄4 in)
Electrification1911 (water counterbalancing before)
Operating speed4.8 metres per second (16 ft/s)
Highest elevation1,120 m (3,670 ft)
Maximum incline40%

At Beatenbucht, the funicular connects with shipping services, run by BLS AG, and bus services, run by Verkehrsbetriebe STI. Both shipping and bus services connect Beatenbucht to Interlaken and Thun. At Beatenberg, the funicular connects with the Seilbahnen Beatenberg-Niederhorn, a gondola lift which runs to the summit of the Niederhorn.[5]

History

The funicular was built in 1888 and 1889, and opened on 21 June 1889, by the Drahtseilbahn Thunersee–Beatenberg company. The funicular was converted to electric operation in 1911, and the following year it commenced year round operation. The onward connection to the summit of the Niederhorn by cable car was first opened, by a separate company, in 1946.[5][6][7]

The line was completely reconstructed between October 2004 and July 2005, and new modern style cars were provided. In 2014, the funicular and cable car companies were merged, to create the current Niederhornbahn AG company. In the autumn of 2016, a new motor and electronic control system was installed.[5][6][7]

Previous company names:

  • 1889–1906: Drahtseilbahn Thunersee-St. Beatenberg
  • 1906–1947: Drahtseilbahn Thunersee-St. Beatenberg (Beatenberbahn)
  • 1947–2010: Drahtseilbahn Thunersee-Beatenberg (Beatenbergbahn)
  • 2010–2014: Beatenbergbahn AG

Operation

The funicular has a length of 1,689 metres (5,541 ft) and overcomes a vertical distance of 556 metres (1,824 ft) with an average gradient of 34.6% and a maximum of 40%. The line comprises a single track of 1,200 mm (3 ft 11+1⁄4 in) gauge with a central passing loop. There is one intermediate stop, at Birchi.[5][6][7]

The two modern style cars each accommodate 90 passengers and operate at either 3.2 metres per second (10 ft/s) or 4.8 metres per second (16 ft/s), depending on demand. The journey time is either 10 or 6 minutes, depending on the speed selected, with cars operating every 20 minutes or more frequently. The line has a theoretical maximum capacity of 700 people per hour.[5][6][7][8]

The line is owned by the Niederhornbahn AG and managed by the Verkehrsbetriebe STI.[7]

Further reading
  • Beatenbergbahn at Zeno.org. Article by: Viktor von Röll (ed.): Enzyklopädie des Eisenbahnwesens (Encyclopaedia of the Railway), 2nd edition, 1912–1923, Vol. 2, p. 98
  • Strub, Emil (1892), "Unsere Drahtseilbahnen", Schweizerische Bauzeitung (in German), 19 (12/13/16): 77–81, 85–88, 110–111, 113

See also
  • lower station seen from the lake (2018)
    lower station seen from the lake (2018)
  • Funicular with Niesen in the background (postcard sent 1933)
    Funicular with Niesen in the background (postcard sent 1933)
  • share certificate of 1889 for Drahtseilbahn Thunersee-St.Beatenberg
    share certificate of 1889 for Drahtseilbahn Thunersee-St.Beatenberg

References
  1. Swiss Federal Council, "Botschaft des Bundesrates an die Bundesversammlung, betreffend Konzession für eine Drahtseilbahn vom Thunersee bei Merligen nach Beatenberg. (Vom 2. Dezember 1887.)" (PDF), Bundesblatt (in German), 1887/4: 661–673, BAR-ADS: 10013751
  2. Swiss Federal Council (17 December 1887), "Message du conseil fédéral à l'assemblée fédérale concernant la concession d'un chemin de fer funiculaire du lac de Thoune, près Merligen, au Beatenberg. (Du 2 décembre 1887.)" (PDF), Feuille Fédérale (in French), 1887/4 (54): 637–647, BAR-ADS: 10068724
  3. Swiss Federal Council, "Botschaft des Bundesrates an die Bundesversammlung über die Erteilung einer neuen Konzession für die Standseilbahn Thunersee-Beatenberg (Vom 30. Januar 1967)" (PDF), Bundesblatt (in German), 1967/1: 481–489, BAR-ADS: 10043567
  4. Swiss Federal Council (2 March 1967), "Message du Conseil fédéral à l'Assemblée fédérale concernant l'octroi d'une nouvelle concession au chemin de fer funiculaire du lac de Thoune au Beatenberg (Du 30 janvier 1967)" (PDF), Feuille Fédérale (in French), 1967/1 (9): 509–516, BAR-ADS: 10098384
  5. Richard Green (2007). Railways in the Berner Oberland - Part 3. Today's Railways Europe: Issue 134: February 2007. Platform 5 Publishing Ltd.
  6. "Thunersee Beatenberg Bahn". Funimag. Archived from the original on 27 September 2007. Retrieved 7 February 2007.
  7. "Company". Niederhornbahn AG. Archived from the original on 27 March 2019. Retrieved 27 March 2019.
  8. "Timetable". Niederhornbahn AG. Archived from the original on 27 March 2019. Retrieved 27 March 2019.


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