- Giessbachbahn
The Giessbachbahn (GbB) is a historic
funicular atGiessbach in the SwissCanton of Berne . It links a landing stage onLake Brienz , served by shipping services on the lake, to theGrand Hotel Geissbach and waterfall above. The funicular is owned by the hotel, but since 1983 has been operated by a preservation foundation.Richard Green (2007). "Railways in the Berner Oberland - Part 3". "Today's Railways Europe: Issue 134: February 2007". Platform 5 Publishing Ltd.]The funicular, opened in 1879, was the first Swiss funicular to be built specifically for the transport of tourists, and is the oldest funicular still operating in Europe. It has a length of 345
metre s and overcomes a vertical distance of 104 metres with a maximum gradient of 32%. There are two wooden cars dating from 1879, operating on a single track ofmetre gauge track with a central passing loop and a Riggenbach rack rail for braking purposes. Originally operated by water ballast, the funicular is now electrically operated and a single journey takes 2 minutes. Richard Green (2007). "Railways in the Berner Oberland - Part 3". "Today's Railways Europe: Issue 134: February 2007". Platform 5 Publishing Ltd.]References
External links
* [http://www.funimag.com/suisse/giessbach01.htm Geissbach Bahn page from Funimag]
* [http://www.giessbach.ch/en/the_grandhotel/about.php Grand Hotel Geissbach web site]
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