World's steepest railway opens as tourist attraction in Switzerland
POSTED 18 Dec 2017 . BY Tom Anstey
The record-breaking CHF52m (US$53m, €45m, £40m) railway took 14 years to build
The world’s steepest funicular railway has opened in Schwyz, Switzerland, doubling as a new tourist attraction and a way for locals to reach the car-free Alpine village of Stoos.
Using specially constructed cylindrical carriages designed to tilt and adjust to the 110 per cent gradient of the mountain track, the Stoos Bahn railway runs over 1,720m (5,640ft) from the valley floor to the Fronalpstock mountain plateau at 1,300m (4,300ft).
Rising 743m (2,440ft) on its four-minute journey, the train’s four cabins can carry 136 people at a time, reaching speeds of up to 10 metres per second (36kmph).
“This technical marvel turns a journey into an experience,” said the railway’s operator.
“In the summer, the mountain village is a destination for varied family outings and offers versatile mountain sports. In the winter, 35km (21.7m) of fun on the slopes can be experienced between Fronalpstock and Klingenstock.”
The record-breaking CHF52m (US$53m, €45m, £40m) railway took 14 years to build. Close to Lake Lucerne, the Stoos Bahn beats the previous record holder – the Gelmerbahn – a funicular railway, also in Switzerland, which reaches a gradient of 106 per cent on its ascent to the Gelmersee lake.
Switzerland’s president, Doris Leuthard, inaugurated the new line on 15 December. It replaces the Schwyz-Stoos cable car, which had been in operation since 1933.
Cylindrical carriages are designed to tilt and adjust to the 110 per cent gradient of the mountain track
It replaces the Schwyz-Stoos cable car
PROJECT PROFILE: Stoos Bahn The world’s steepest funicular railway has opened in Schwyz, Switzerland, doubling as a
new tourist attraction and a way for locals to reach the car-free Alpine village of Stoos.
Expo 2030 Riyadh is being planned as a permanent visitor destination, with organisers
confirming the six-million-square-metre site will become a Global Village after the event closes.
The owner of one of Australia's best-known waterparks has acquired a major competitor,
creating a new attractions business spanning two of the country's largest visitor destinations.
The Toverland theme park in the Netherlands has announced a €98m expansion programme
that will add a resort, new attractions and staff facilities as it pursues plans to become a multi-
day destination.
World's steepest railway opens as tourist attraction in Switzerland
POSTED 18 Dec 2017 . BY Tom Anstey
The record-breaking CHF52m (US$53m, €45m, £40m) railway took 14 years to build
The world’s steepest funicular railway has opened in Schwyz, Switzerland, doubling as a new tourist attraction and a way for locals to reach the car-free Alpine village of Stoos.
Using specially constructed cylindrical carriages designed to tilt and adjust to the 110 per cent gradient of the mountain track, the Stoos Bahn railway runs over 1,720m (5,640ft) from the valley floor to the Fronalpstock mountain plateau at 1,300m (4,300ft).
Rising 743m (2,440ft) on its four-minute journey, the train’s four cabins can carry 136 people at a time, reaching speeds of up to 10 metres per second (36kmph).
“This technical marvel turns a journey into an experience,” said the railway’s operator.
“In the summer, the mountain village is a destination for varied family outings and offers versatile mountain sports. In the winter, 35km (21.7m) of fun on the slopes can be experienced between Fronalpstock and Klingenstock.”
The record-breaking CHF52m (US$53m, €45m, £40m) railway took 14 years to build. Close to Lake Lucerne, the Stoos Bahn beats the previous record holder – the Gelmerbahn – a funicular railway, also in Switzerland, which reaches a gradient of 106 per cent on its ascent to the Gelmersee lake.
Switzerland’s president, Doris Leuthard, inaugurated the new line on 15 December. It replaces the Schwyz-Stoos cable car, which had been in operation since 1933.
Expo 2030 Riyadh is being planned as a permanent visitor destination, with organisers
confirming the six-million-square-metre site will become a Global Village after the event closes.
The owner of one of Australia's best-known waterparks has acquired a major competitor,
creating a new attractions business spanning two of the country's largest visitor destinations.
The Toverland theme park in the Netherlands has announced a €98m expansion programme
that will add a resort, new attractions and staff facilities as it pursues plans to become a multi-
day destination.
Hotel de France, located on the British Isle of Jersey, has created a wellness retreat package
that includes a hot yoga session that will take place in Jersey Zoo’s butterfly sanctuary.
A new immersive attraction designed to transport visitors into the final hours of ancient Pompeii
is preparing to open near the world-famous archaeological site in southern Italy.
