Wartensteinbahn

Wartensteinbahn was a funicular railway in the canton of St. Gallen, Switzerland. The line led from Bad Ragaz at 520 m to Wartenstein (part of Pfäfers) at 747 m. It was built in 1892 for tourists in the resort Ragaz to access the viewpoint and restaurant at Wartenstein.[1] The line with a length of 790 m had a difference of elevation of 206 m at a maximum incline of 30%.[2][1] The single-track line with a passing loop used water counterbalancing.[2][1]

Wartensteinbahn
Overview
Other name(s)	Drahtseilbahn Ragaz–Wartenstein
Status	ceased operation
Owner	Actien-Gesellschaft Drahtseilbahn Ragaz-Wartenstein
Locale	Canton of St. Gallen, Switzerland
Termini	Bad Ragaz Wartenstein
Stations	2
Service
Rolling stock	2 for 28 passengers each
History
Opened	1 August 1892 (1892-08-01)
Concession	1890
Closed	25 October 1964 (1964-10-25)
Technical
Line length	788 m (2,585 ft)
Track length	796 m (2,612 ft)
Number of tracks	1 with passing loop
Rack system	Riggenbach
Track gauge	1,000 mm (3 ft 3+3⁄8 in)
Electrification	No
Highest elevation	747 m (2,451 ft)
Maximum incline	30.3%

The funicular was owned and operated by Actien-Gesellschaft Drahtseilbahn Ragaz-Wartenstein.

The line was closed in 1964.

From 2018 to 2022, the association Förderverein Wartensteinbahn attempted to rebuild the funicular. A project with an estimated cost of 9.5 million CHF was developed. The pandemic and a change of ownership of the hotel at the upper station led to the cancellation of the project.[3]

Remains of tunnels, viaducts, the passing loop are still visible.[4] The lower station was converted into a residential building.

• 
  share certificate issued 1892 of Actien-Gesellschaft Drahtseilbahn Ragaz-Wartenstein
• 
  lower station (2016)
• 
  St. Niklausen Tunnel (2016)
• 
  Wartenstein Tunnel (2016)
• 
  viaduct (2013)