Zugerbergbahn funicular

Zugerbergbahn

A third generation car at the upper station in 2005
Overview
Type Funicular
Coordinates 47°08′52″N 8°31′35″E / 47.147875°N 8.526335°E / 47.147875; 8.526335Coordinates: 47°08′52″N 8°31′35″E / 47.147875°N 8.526335°E / 47.147875; 8.526335
Stations 2
Operation
Opened 1907
Owner Zugerbergbahn AG
Operator(s) Zugerbergbahn AG
Technical
Track length 1,280 m (4,199 ft)
Track gauge 985 mm (3 ft 2 2532 in)
Maximum incline 34%

The Zugerbergbahn is a funicular railway in the southern-eastern suburbs of the Swiss city of Zug, in the canton of Zug. The line links the Zug suburb of Schönegg with the Zugerberg mountain overlooking the city and Lake Zug. It is operated by the Zugerbergbahn AG company.[1][2]

History

The line opened in the spring of 1907, and was owned and operated by the Zuger Berg- und Strassenbahn AG (ZBB). This company also operated a connecting 985 mm (3 ft 2 2532 in) electric tramway that linked Schönegg with Zug railway station. In 1959, the ZBB replaced its tram service with a bus service, and this was transferred to the Zugerland Verkehrsbetriebe bus company in 1999. At the same time, the ZBB adopted the name Zugerbergbahn AG.[3][4]

The cars were first replaced in 1931, whilst the lower and upper stations were rebuilt in 1950-52 and 1970/71 respectively. The railway was comprehensively modernized and renovated in 1984, when a third generation of cars was installed. Further renovation work carried out in 2009, when new fourth generation panoramic cars were installed and the line adapted for use by wheelchair users.[3]

Operation

The line operates every 30 minutes from 06:00 (07:00 on Saturdays and Sundays) to 23:00. It has the following parameters:[5][6]

Number of cars 2
Number of stops 2 (at terminals)
Configuration Single track with passing loop
Track length 1,280 m (4,199 ft)
Rise 366 metres (1,201 ft)
Maximum gradient 47%
Track gauge 985 mm (3 ft 2 2532 in)
Capacity 80 passengers per car
Maximum speed 4 metres per second (13.1 ft/s)
Travel time 6 minutes

Bus service 11 of the Zugerland Verkehrsbetriebe connects the lower station of the funicular with the centre of Zug and Zug railway station, with buses connecting with all scheduled funicular services.

See also

References

  1. "Funiculars of Switzerland". Funimag. Retrieved 2011-10-12.
  2. "Overview map". Zugerbergbahn AG. Retrieved 2013-07-07.
  3. 1 2 "Learn interesting information about the history of Zugerberg Bahn". Zugerbergbahn AG. Retrieved 2013-07-07.
  4. Eisenbahnatlas Schweiz. Verlag Schweers+Wall GmbH. 2012. pp. 22–23. ISBN 978-3-89494-130-7.
  5. "Technical specifications and interesting details at a glance". Zugerbergbahn AG. Retrieved 2013-07-07.
  6. "365 days of Zugerberg". Zugerbergbahn AG. Retrieved 2013-07-07.
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