Harderbahn

The Harderbahn is a funicular that runs from Interlaken (altitude 567m above sea level) to a station near the summit of the Harder Kulm (altitude 1321.31m), Interlaken’s own mountain. From the Harder Kulm station, a five minute walk takes one to the Harder Restaurant, a distinctive pagoda structure with spectacular views from its terrace, over the town, the Lakes of Thun and Brienz, the Lütschine valleys and the summits of the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau. Clear weather is critical to get a good view.

History

In 1890 Dr. Fritz Michel got a concession to build an "electrical cable railway" on the Harder mountain, to the north of the city of Interlaken. Construction started in 1905 and lasted three years.

The funicular, opened on 15th May 1908 has a length of 1435m and climbs 755m (2340ft) from the lower station, situated near to Interlaken Ost train station (a five minute walk), to the upper station (Harder Kulm) near the summit. The journey takes eight minutes. A tourist attraction, an alpine wildlife park was opened in 1913 above the lower station.

Modernisation of the funicular took place in 1966 and new vehicles were purchased, 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.

Operations

The line, with a gauge of one metre, is single track with a single passing point and is operated by two coaches. Power supply is by a 400V three-phase system and the line uses the Stromsystem Drehstrom which controls the passing of the cars safely. The railway, unusually for a funicular, almost describes a quadrantvague and so does not cut a direct path through the woods and spoil the view of the mountain from the town.

Passenger Vehicles

Two new passenger cars, numbered 1 and 2, were delivered in 1966. these were constructed by specialist builders Carrossiere Gangloff AG 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 9.8.2007.

The new "centenery" coaches, in the line's usual red livery, were delivered on 13th 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.

Incident, 9.8.2007

During the night of 9 August 2007 a mudslide badly damaged No.1 passenger carriage which was in the base station. The cost of the damage was CHF 750,000, just over half of the amount being covered by insurance, which also covered loss of traffic revenue.

Services were suspended until Saturday, 22nd September 2007, when repairs and replacement to the track, cable rollers and cable were completed and inspection carried out. The damaged carriage was repaired so that it could be used as a counterweight to the second carriage, the severely damaged end being sheeted over.

Timetable

The line operates daily from the last weekend in April to the end of October with a regular service of trains:

Due to the above incident the railway operated a special timetable from 22nd September to the end of October with only one car in passenger service. A full timetable resumed, following that used in 2007, when the line reopened on 26th April 2008.

External links

* [http://www.jungfraubahn.ch/en/desktopdefault.aspx/tabid-228//260_read-1049 Homepage of Harderbahn]
* [http://www.funimag.com/suisse/Harder01.htm Funimag]