Seilbahn Lauterbrunnen–Grütschalp

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)[2]
Concession1887[3]
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

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.[5][3][4] The line had a difference of elevation of 674m at an incline of 41-60%.[note 2][5] The longest viaduct on the line was 220m.[4] The funicular closed on 23 April 2006, and was replaced by an aerial cablecar in December 2006.

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.[6]

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.[5][1][4] 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.[6]

In 1949, the Riggenbach rack was removed and the track changed from 3 to 2 rails.[8] The 34 mm cable laid in 1935 was replaced. The new cable was 1,600m long, 42 mm in diameter, weighed 10 tons and cost CHF 26,000. Two new cars were provided which were capable of carrying 70 people (8 more than the previous cars) and included a trailer for goods. The replacement of the Riggenbach rack with wedge shaped rails reduced the journey time from 20 to 11 minutes.[9]

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.[6]

  • 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,[4] 1372 m,[5] 1380 m[6]
  2. ^ Stated difference of elevation varies: 674 m,[4][7] 671 m,[5] 670 m[6]

References

  1. ^ a b c 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. ^ "Kanton Bern". Tagblatt der Stadt Biel. Switzerland. 16 August 1891. Retrieved 10 August 2025 – via e-newpaperarchives.ch.
  3. ^ a b 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
  4. ^ a b c d e Smallenburg, F.W. (13 August 1892), "Die Bergbahn Lauterbrunnen-Mürren", Schweizerische Bauzeitung (in German), 20 (7): 41–46
  5. ^ a b c d e Strub, Emil (1892), "Unsere Drahtseilbahnen", Schweizerische Bauzeitung (in German), 19 (12/13/16): 77–81, 85–88, 110–111, 113
  6. ^ a b c d e Abt, Siegfried (4 March 1905), "Umbau der Seilbahn Lauterbrunnen-Grütschalp", Schweizerische Bauzeitung (in German), 45 (9): 107–111
  7. ^ "Chemin de fer de Lauterbrunnen à Murren", Bulletin de la Société vaudoise des ingénieurs et des architectes (in French), 15 (1): 135, 1889
  8. ^ Wägeli, Hans G., Schienennetz Schweiz, Reseau ferré suisse (in German and French)
  9. ^ "Progrès techniques des chamins le fer de la Jungfrau". Journal du Jura. Switzerland. 7 January 1949. Retrieved 10 August 2025 – via e-newpaperarchives.ch.
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