Volldampf #55 | Die Schynige Platte Bahn - Nostalgische Reise auf den Berg

Traveling like our grandparents did is still possible today! In the Bernese Oberland, the Schynige Platte Railway climbs the mountain of the same name, offering panoramic views. Using exclusively historic rolling stock, it takes you high above Lake Thun and Lake Brienz. The idea for building the Schynige Platte Railway first arose in 1870. Even then, the mountain was a popular destination for tourists. After almost two years of construction, the railway line to Schynige Platte was opened in 1893. Until 1913, the railway was operated with steam locomotives. A steam locomotive still exists today! Most of the time, however, it remains in the depot. On certain days, though, it is allowed back on the line for special excursions and for the installation of the overhead lines. The line has been electrified since 1914, and the same electric locomotives have been in operation ever since. QUOTE: Stefan Würgler, Head of Sales & Production "Back then, it was cutting-edge technology, a marvel to build such a railway up a mountain. I believe it was a major achievement for the entire Jungfrau region, and for tourism as well. Today, it's still the same technology, which is now admired for its nostalgic charm." Today, nostalgia is both the concept and the success story of the Schynige Platte Railway. Between May and October, the trains transport over 200,000 people up the mountain – and back down again. QUOTE: Stefan Würgler, Head of Sales & Production "What's special is that we have a true nostalgia concept. That starts with the rolling stock. But it's also true that we still operate the railway the same way as 100 years ago. That means we have staff on the trains everywhere, we have staff at the stations, and we haven't replaced them with machines or equipment. We still operate the railway the way they did 100 years ago." ``` The starting point for the journey to the Schynige Platte is the Wilderswil train station. Here, trains from Interlaken and Grindelwald meet the mountain railway. The cogwheel train departs 15 times a day, taking just under 50 minutes. The trains climb the mountain at a leisurely pace, reaching a maximum speed of 12 kilometers per hour. They overcome an altitude difference of over 1,300 meters. As is typical for mountain railways, the locomotive is positioned at the rear of the train for safety reasons, rather than at the front. This means the driver doesn't have a clear view of the track ahead. Therefore, a train attendant always rides on the platform of the first carriage to keep watch for him. However, only the passengers have time to enjoy the spectacular scenery. After all, the journey itself is part of the experience. And this journey is quite challenging! A maximum gradient of 25% demands a lot from both man and machine, then as now. The newest locomotive was built in 1914. The oldest dates back to 1910. The locomotives were built by the Swiss Locomotive and Machine Works (SLM) and the Alioth Electricity Company in Münchenstein. And the 100-year-old technology still works. Reliable as a Swiss watch! Slowly but surely, the train approaches its final destination on the Schynige Platte. Once there, tourists are rewarded with a spectacular view of the Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau mountains. A panorama to savor. In the heart of this magnificent landscape lies the Alpine Garden with its more than 600 different plant species. A colorful sea of ​​flowers that captivates visitors. Those who enjoy a more active experience can hike down into the valley and experience the landscape from a completely new perspective. Editorial Team: Stefan Treier Camera/Editing: Adrian Baumann Narrator: Daniel Buser Production: Swiss ID GmbH / treiermedia GmbH © 2013 Full Steam Ahead - The Railway TV Magazine - www.volldampf.tv Full Steam Ahead is the only television program in Switzerland dedicated exclusively to the topic of railways. Every two months, we present a concise 5-minute report on current and exciting news from the world of railways, both large and small. On our YouTube channel, you'll find not only our broadcasts but also extensive bonus material and exclusive web videos.