| Giessbachbahn | |
|---|---|
 Looking downwards, with car and passing loop (2012) | |
| Overview | |
| Other name(s) | Drahtseilbahn Giessbach |
| Status | In operation |
| Locale | Canton of Bern,Switzerland |
| Termini |
|
| Stations | 2 |
| Website | giessbach.ch |
| Service | |
| Type | Funicular |
| Route number | 2470[1] |
| Rolling stock | 2 for 40 passengers each |
| History | |
| Opened | 21 July 1879 (145 years ago) (1879-07-21) |
| New Abt switch | 1891 |
| Technical | |
| Track length | 363 metres (1,191 ft) |
| Number of tracks | 1 withpassing loop |
| Rack system | Riggenbach |
| Track gauge | 1,000 mm (3 ft 3+3⁄8 in) |
| Electrification | 1948 (water counterbalancing 1879-1912,Pelton wheel) |
| Highest elevation | 656 m (2,152 ft) |
| Maximum incline | 32% |
TheGiessbach Funicular (German:Giessbachbahn)[2] is a historicfunicular in the Swisscanton of Bern and municipality ofBrienz. It links a landing stage onLake Brienz, served by shipping services on the lake, to the Grand Hotel Giessbach and Giessbach Falls above. The funicular is owned by the hotel, but since 1983 has been operated by a preservation foundation.[3][4][5]
The Giessbach funicular was designed by the Swiss engineerCarl Roman Abt. When it was opened in 1879, it was the first funicular with atwo-rail single track layout with a relatively short passing loop in the middle.[2] Its turnouts had no moving parts, which was quite a remarkable achievement for the time. Abt had later developed its modification which became known as theAbt Switch.[2]
Originally the funicular was powered bywater ballast, and theRiggenbach rack rail in the middle of the track was used for speed control. In 1912 the water ballast system was replaced by a hydraulic engine powered by aPelton turbine. Which is in its own turn was replaced in 1948 by an electric drive. The rack rail is currently used for emergency braking. The funicular's two wooden cars are restored back to their original appearance in 1879.[2]
In 2015 the funicular was included in thelist of Historic Mechanical Engineering Landmarks by theAmerican Society of Mechanical Engineers under number 259.[6]
The main characteristics of system are:[7]
| Feature | Value |
|---|---|
| Number of cars | 2 |
| Number of stops | 2 |
| Configuration | Single track withpassing loop |
| Track length | 363 metres (1,191 ft) |
| Rise | 98 metres (322 ft) |
| Maximumgradient | 32% |
| Track gauge | 1,000 mm (3 ft 3+3⁄8 in) |
| Speed | 1.9 metres per second (6.2 ft/s) |
| Journey time | 4 mins |
| Capacity | 40 passengers per car; 480 persons in each direction per hour |
46°44′06″N8°01′21″E / 46.7349°N 8.0225°E /46.7349; 8.0225
