Niesenbahn funicular
The Niesenbahn ( NB) is a funicular railway in the Bernese Oberland in Switzerland. She drives by Mülenen up to the sneezing, a popular vantage point on Lake Thun.
The Niesen is one of the longest funicular railways in Europe. The base station is located in Mülenen, right next to the BLS railway station, 693 m above sea level. M. The course is divided into two sections due to its length. The first section of 2111 m and a maximum gradient of 68 % lead up to the 1670 m above sea level. M. Located stopover Schwandegg. From there, the second section leads with 1388 m and a maximum gradient of 66 % to the mountain station at 2336 m above sea Niesen Kulm. M.
From idea to realization
1856 first inn was built on the Niesen Kulm, as the hiking pleasure began to spread. Guests boarded the sneezing distance. Wealthy never let horses and mules of chairs that were carried by four men on the mountain. The composer Johannes Brahms ascended the sneezing in 1886, he was on the several hours of exertion not very pleased.
The first project of a railway to the sneezing foresaw a cog railway from Brodhüsi. 1902 became the architect Johann Frutiger of Oberhofen ( Frutiger AG) a concession for the construction and operation of a funicular from Mülenen to sneeze. On October 12, 1904, formed a Committee initiative, the capital of 1'008'500 .00 SFr. was applied by means of shares. Construction began on 26 August 1906 the first section Mülenen - Schwandegg was completed in 1908. June 8th, 1910, the second stretch was wheeled down to the sneezing. 1909 worked up to 350 people in this building. The construction cost was finally 1'755'000 .00 SFr.
Joys and sorrows
On 15 July 1910, the opening was held with 150 guests, who were brought to the sneezing peak in 3 courses and a 50 minute drive. The first Chief Executive Officer of Niesenbahn was a National Arnold Gottlieb Buehler. The frequencies and operating income did not meet the cherished expectations at the beginning. The Niesenbahn as pure Gipfelbahn is extremely dependent on weather conditions and the whims of the traveling public. The facility was repeatedly damaged by avalanches. During the First World War, the revenue decreased to 20,000 .00 SFr., But the debt rose rapidly. 1923 had to be carried out with the cooperation of the Federal Court a financial recovery. Since this reorganization, the operating conditions of the Niesenbahn have improved. Added to this was the increase in performance. These improvements shortened the travel time from 50 to now 28 minutes. Today drive on nice days over 2,000 guests with the Niesenbahn.
Longest staircase in the world
The stairs along the tracks has 11674 steps and is, according to the Guinness Book of Records the longest staircase in the world. The staircase is but for the public at present, except during the annual Sneeze flight of stairs. Emmanuel Vaudan managed the ascent 2011 in 0:55:55,70 hours, for course record holder. The record in the women is from the year 2005. Agnes Zellweger needed 1:07:07 hours. For comparison: The traveling time from Mülenen is about five hours.
Stamp for the 100th anniversary
Swiss Post has honored the Niesenbahn to their 100th anniversary in 2010 with a postage stamp. The brand value of 85 centimes shows the path in front of the Bernese mountain panorama and the directions indicated by a line drawing route.