Harderbahn

Harderbahn
Harderbahn
	Bottom station in Interlaken
Overview
Native name	Harderbahn HB
Status	operating during summer season
Owner	Harderbahn AG
Locale	Bernese Highlands
Termini	Interlaken Harderbahn; Harder Kulm
Stations	2
Website	HB
Service
Type	Mountain cable railway
Services	1
Operator(s)	HB
Rolling stock	2 passenger carriages
History
Opened	1908
Technical
Line length	1.47 km (0.91 mi)
Number of tracks	single track with one passing point
Character	Touristic mountain railway
Track gauge	1,000 mm (3 ft 3+3⁄8 in) metre gauge
Electrification	Since opening
Highest elevation	1,305 m (4,281 ft)
Maximum incline	640‰, 64%

The Harderbahn (HB) is one of two funiculars that operate from the town of Interlaken. The Harderbahn leads to the western end of the in the north of Interlaken across the river Aare, in Switzerland.

This funicular, the longer of the two, runs in 10 minutes from the base station Interlaken Harderbahn (550 metres or 1,804 feet above sea level) to a 755-metre-higher (2,477 ft) station near the viewpoint Harderkulm (1,321 metres or 4,334 feet). From the Harder Kulm top station (1,305 metres or 4,281 feet), a five-minute walk leads to the Harderkulm viewpoint and the Restaurant Harder Kulm, a distinctive pagoda structure with views from its terrace, over the towns of Interlaken and Unterseen, the Lakes of Thun and Brienz, the valley of the Lütschine and the summits of the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau.^[1]

The line is owned by the Harderbahn AG, a subsidiary of the Jungfraubahn Holding AG, a holding company that also owns the Wengernalpbahn, Jungfraubahn, Bergbahn Lauterbrunnen–Mürren, and . Through that holding company it is part of the Allianz - Jungfrau Top of Europe marketing alliance, which also includes the separately owned Berner Oberland-Bahn and Schynige Platte-Bahn.^[1]^[2]

History[]

The Harderbahn showing one of the 1966 built cars on the viaduct passing the alpine wildlife park

In 1890 Dr. Fritz Michel gained a concession to build an "electrical cable railway" on the Harder, to the north of the city of Interlaken, however financial backing for such a project was difficult to obtain and it was not until November 1905 that construction started and was to last for three years. In order not to disfigure the landscape the track was laid in a quadrant rather than a straight line, the usual format for such railways

With the aid of Lausanne banker Ernest Chavannes and engineers Gaston Boiceau and Henri Muret the funicular opened on 15 May 1908. It has a length of 1,435 metres (4,708 ft) and climbs 734 metres (2,408 ft) from the lower station (Interlaken Harderbahn), situated near to Interlaken Ost train station (a five-minute walk), to the upper station (Harder Kulm) near the viewpoint. The journey takes ten minutes. A tourist attraction, an alpine wildlife park was opened in 1913 above the base station.

Modernisation of the funicular took place during the 1960s with new carriages coming to the line to commence operation on 14 May 1966. Until 1990 this had always been a summer only operation, but instead of closing at the end of September, the funicular continued through the winter. Since that time it has reverted to a summer timetable.

In 1997 the wire rope was replaced.

In 2008 the two passenger carriages were replaced.

Operations[]

The line, with a gauge of 1,000 mm (3 ft 3+3⁄8 in) metre gauge, is single track with a single passing point and is operated by two coaches. Power supply is by a 400 V three-phase system and the line uses the which controls the passing of the cars safely.

Passenger Vehicles[]

Vehicles at the passing place : No.1, the vehicle shown was that damaged in the incident of 9.8.2007.

Two new passenger cars, numbered 1 and 2, were delivered in 1966. these were constructed by specialist builders of Bern with under frames, brakes etc., by the von Roll company. Each carry 62 passengers in four compartments. After over 40 years service it was decided that these would be in need of replacement prior to the centenary of the railway in 2008 and the order was placed. The need became essential following the accident of 9 August 2007.^{[citation needed]}

The new "centenery" coaches, in the line's usual red livery, were delivered on 13 March 2008. These were lifted onto the line from the alpine wildlife park in readiness for the commencement of the season. The new coaches were built by Gongloff Cabins AG of Bern and hold 65 persons in three sections. The doors are power operated and the downhill-facing section has an area of staged seating which is accessed through the compartment above, where the driver controls are located. The vehicles, numbered as with the previous set, now also carry names and crests; No.1 is named Interlaken, No.2 Unterseen. They have glass roof panels which allow uninterrupted views over the valley below.^{[citation needed]}

References[]

^ Jump up to: ^a ^b "Harder Railway - view of the funicular". Interlaken, Switzerland: Jungfraubahnen Management AG. Retrieved 2017-05-18.
^ "Companies". Interlaken, Switzerland: Jungfraubahnen Management AG. Archived from the original on 2017-07-02. Retrieved 2017-05-17.