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Stoosbahn
Stoosbahn
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Stoosbahn
Overview
Other nameStoos Funicular
Native nameStandseilbahn Schwyz - Stoos
Statusin operation
OwnerStoosbahnen AG
LocaleStoos
Termini
  • Schwyz Hinteres Schlattli
  • Stoos
Stations2
Websitestoos-muotatal.ch/train/stoosbahnen/ Edit this at Wikidata
Service
TypeCommuter funicular
Services1
Operator(s)Stoosbahnen AG
Rolling stock2 for 136 passengers each
History
Commenced2012
Opened15 December 2017
(7 years ago)
 (2017-12-15)
Completed2017
Technical
Line length1,740 metres (5,710 ft)
Number of tracks1
CharacterCommuter and touristic funicular
Track gauge1,435 mm (4 ft 8+12 in) standard gauge
Old gauge1,200 mm (3 ft 11+14 in)
the original line
Electrificationfrom opening
Operating speed10 metres per second (33 ft/s)
Highest elevation1,306 metres (4,285 ft)
Maximum incline110% (47.73°)

The Stoosbahn, also known as the Schwyz–Stoos funicular or Standseilbahn Schwyz–Stoos, is a funicular railway in the Swiss canton of Schwyz. It connects the Hintere Schlattli in the municipalities of Muotatal, Morschach, and Schwyz with the village and mountain resort of Stoos, above Morschach. On a length of 1.7 kilometres (1.1 mi), it overcomes a height difference of 744 metres (2,441 ft). It opened on 15 December 2017 and replaces the older Schwyz-Stoos funicular, operating since 1933 on a different route. The carriages are barrel-shaped and rotate to maintain a level floor surface for passengers. Construction took five years and cost 52 million Swiss francs.[1][2][3]

The new line has a maximum gradient of 110% (47.7°-angle slope) and is the steepest funicular railway in Switzerland and Europe, superseding the Gelmerbahn. The Stoosbahn railway operator has claimed it to be the steepest funicular in the world and marketed it as such.[1][2] This fact has been recognized by the Guinness Book of Records,[4] however it is not the steepest railway gradient, as Katoomba Scenic Railway in Australia as the steepest, at a maximum gradient of 128% (52°-angle slope).[5] The Schilthorn cable car holding the overall record of the steepest cable car since 2024.[6][7][8][9]

Description

[edit]
Valley station at the opening (December 2017)

Located in the far southeastern part of the municipal area of Schwyz, the capital of the canton, approximately 300 metres east of the valley station of the former cable railway and directly on the border with the municipality of Muotathal, the valley station of the Stoos funicular sits at an elevation of 562 m (1,844 ft) above sea level in the Hinteres Schlattli area. The 1,547-metre-long, perfectly straight track crosses the Muota river on a 90-metre-long bridge immediately after leaving the valley station. While the bridge has a gentle incline, the gradient increases sharply thereafter, reaching a maximum of 1100 per mille (equivalent to 47.73°) at the southern portal of the Zingelfluh tunnel (245 m). This steep gradient is maintained until the middle of the subsequent Ober Zingeli tunnel (80 m). At 685 metres along the track, a passing loop is located at an elevation of 1,091 m (3,579 ft). In the Stoosfluh tunnel (223 m), which passes beneath the former public swimming pool at the northern edge of the Stoos plateau, the gradient significantly decreases. The incline then ranges between 90 and 190 per mille, and the track levels out just before reaching the upper station. The upper station, at 1,306 m (4,285 ft), is situated next to the Klingenstock Hotel, providing more direct access to the adjacent ski resort than the previous cable railway.[10][11] Due to the horizontal tracks at both terminal stations, the system required an additional counter-rope.

Upper station under construction (September 2017)

The funicular has the following technical specifications:[12]

  • Length: 1,740 m
  • Height difference: 744 m
  • Track gauge: 1,435 mm
  • Minimum gradient: 0 ‰
  • Maximum gradient: 1,100 ‰
  • Passing loop: Abt switch
  • Vehicles: 2 (each carrying 136 passengers)
  • Drive system: Located at the upper station, power: 1,000 kW
  • Cable diameter: 54 mm
  • Speed: 10 m/s (36 km/h)
  • Journey time: 4 minutes
  • Capacity: 1,500 passengers per hour
Vehicle on the lower steep section

The Stoos funicular is the steepest funicular railway in the world. Although the Katoomba Scenic Railway in Australia has a slightly steeper gradient of 1,280 per mille, it is technically classified as an inclined lift, consisting of four coupled cars pulled by a cable on a winch, without a passing loop.[12]

An Auto AG Schwyz bus service connects the valley station with the town of Schwyz and the Schwyz railway station.[13]

Vehicles

[edit]

Conventional funiculars often feature vehicles with stepped compartments to compensate for the incline, with station platforms designed as stairs, as seen in the former Stoos cable railway. In contrast, the two vehicles of the new funicular, built by Garaventa in Goldau, remain completely horizontal at the stations. Despite the extreme steepness of the track, boarding and alighting are level, even for passengers with prams or wheelchairs, across all compartments. The four passenger cabins consist of cylindrical elements with large windows, each accommodating 34 passengers. Each compartment is hydraulically rotated to match the track's gradient, ensuring the passenger platform remains horizontal at all times.[14] Goods are transported on a platform mounted on the uphill side of the vehicle, with passenger and freight transport logistically separated to enhance comfort.[15] Due to the gradient reduction to horizontal at the stations, hold-down rollers for the haulage cable are installed on the exit bridge and before the first tunnel to prevent the cable from lifting excessively when pulling the lower vehicle.

History

[edit]
Track construction (September 2017)

From 1933 to 2017, access to Stoos was provided by the Schwyz–Stoos funicular. Its concession was granted for 80 years, and the railway was considered technically outdated. In February 2004, the municipality of Morschach and the Rigi-Schwyz regional association commissioned a feasibility study to evaluate options for future access. The existing railway would have required extensive renovations to meet modern safety standards, but these would not have yielded significant improvements. Consequently, in April 2008, the board of directors [de] of Sportbahnen Schwyz-Stoos-Fronalpstock AG (SSSF) decided to pursue a 3S cableway project from Hinteres Schlattli to Stoos.[16] On 30 November 2008, a municipal referendum in Morschach approved a planning loan for the project.[17]

Stoosfluh tunnel under construction (September 2017)

The 3S cableway project was abandoned a year later when it became clear that protecting it from stray bullets from the nearby Selgis shooting range would require disproportionate effort. In November 2009, planning began for a new funicular on the route originally intended for the 3S cableway, with initial public presentations in May 2010. The SSSF estimated costs at 39.5 million CHF, anticipating operations to commence in the winter season of December 2013.[18] In June 2011, the SSSF announced that Garaventa had won an international tender for the electromechanical systems, including vehicles, electronics, control systems, rails, sleepers, ballast, and engineering.[15]

Municipal referendums on 25 September 2011 in Schwyz, Morschach, and Muotathal approved necessary zoning changes with strong support.[17] On 11 March 2012, voters in the Schwyz District approved a 5-million-CHF investment contribution, with 77.9% in favour.[19] Additional funding included 5 million CHF from Morschach, 10 million CHF from federal and cantonal sources, and 1.9 million CHF from the federal regional policy fund, with the SSSF covering the remainder. By then, total costs had risen to 50 million CHF. Initial land clearing began in September 2012.[20]

In September 2012, a consortium led by Implenia won a WTO-compliant tender for bridge and tunnel construction, embankments, and terrain cuts. A losing consortium appealed to the Schwyz Administrative Court, which granted a suspensive effect in November 2012.[21] In January 2013, the court dismissed the appeal, upholding the tender process.[22] On 1 May 2013, the new railway was transferred to Standseilbahn Schwyz-Stoos AG (StSS), a wholly owned subsidiary of the restructured and renamed Stoosbahnen AG. Construction began in July 2013, delayed by over six months, targeting an opening for the 2015/16 winter season.[23]

On 29 November 2013, a material cableway used to transport construction materials and machinery collapsed, causing further delays of several months.[24] Tunnelling began in May 2014 but faced challenges, including frequent drill head replacements and instances where drills became stuck in rock, pushing the opening back by two years and increasing costs to 52 million CHF.[25] The final tunnel breakthrough occurred on 15 February 2017.[26] In April 2017, track construction began using a custom-designed machine that laid prefabricated 5.6-metre concrete track segments, including rails, cable rollers, and a service walkway, while moving uphill.[27]

The funicular was inaugurated over the weekend of 15–17 December 2017. Swiss Federal President Doris Leuthard was among the first passengers on 15 December.[28] On 16 December, residents of the Stoos-Muotatal region and Schwyz municipality used the railway for free. The official handover to public operation took place on 17 December at 12:17.[29]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia
from Grokipedia
The Stoosbahn is the world's steepest railway, connecting the town of to the car-free mountain village of in the Swiss , with a length of 1,740 meters, a maximum gradient of 110%, and a vertical ascent of 744 meters completed in 4 to 7 minutes. Opened to the public on December 17, 2017, it replaced an earlier built in 1933, addressing capacity limitations and providing enhanced accessibility to Stoos, a popular destination for , , and panoramic views over . The railway's innovative design features two cars, each comprising four cylindrical cabins that automatically adjust to maintain a level floor for passengers, ensuring comfort on the steep inclines while traversing two bridges and three tunnels. Each car accommodates 136 passengers—34 per cabin—for a total transport capacity of up to 1,500 people per hour in each direction, powered by two 1.2 MW ABB motors with energy-efficient AC drives. As a key link to Stoos's 35 kilometers of winter pistes and extensive summer trail networks, the Stoosbahn not only holds the for steepest but also promotes in this Alpine region by eliminating the need for private vehicles in the village.

Introduction

Location and Route

The Stoosbahn is a funicular railway in the , , connecting the valley station at Hinteres Schlattli in the municipality of Schwyz, at an elevation of approximately 550 m above , to the mountain station in the car-free village of at 1,300 m. Spanning a total route length of 1,740 m, the line overcomes a vertical height difference of 744 m, making it a key link between the Muota Valley and the alpine plateau above. The route ascends steeply through a combination of open sections, two bridges, and three tunnels, featuring a to enable the two cars to cross paths during operation. Built to a standard of 1,435 mm, it integrates with local bus services at the valley station via line 501 from railway station, while the mountain station arrives directly in village center for seamless pedestrian access to the resort's facilities.

Significance

The Stoosbahn holds the distinction of being the world's steepest funicular railway, achieving a maximum of 110% equivalent to a 47.7° incline, a record certified by upon its opening. This engineering feat surpasses previous benchmarks, such as the Gelmerbahn in , and underscores the innovative design required to navigate the challenging Alpine terrain while maintaining passenger safety and comfort. Opened in December 2017, the Stoosbahn replaced the original Schwyz-Stoos , which had operated since 1933 and was decommissioned due to its outdated infrastructure and limited capacity. The new system significantly enhances access to the car-free mountain resort of , reducing travel time to 4-7 minutes over a 744-meter gain. As a critical transportation link in the , the Stoosbahn serves approximately 150 residents of the isolated village, providing their primary year-round connection to the valley below for essential services and commuting. It also plays a pivotal role in regional , facilitating efficient transport for skiers accessing winter slopes and hikers exploring summer trails in the Stoos-Fronalpstock area, thereby boosting the local through increased visitor accessibility. With a bidirectional capacity of 1,500 passengers per hour, the railway supports high-volume seasonal traffic while promoting sustainable mobility in this environmentally sensitive Alpine region.

Technical Specifications

Route Characteristics

The Stoosbahn features a challenging route profile, with a maximum of 110% (equivalent to 47.7 degrees) achieved over specific sections, particularly within its tunnels, making it the steepest funicular railway in operation. The overall average is approximately 42.8%, calculated from an elevation gain of 744 meters over a track length of 1,740 meters, demanding precise engineering to ensure stability and passenger comfort. To navigate the rugged alpine terrain, the route incorporates significant adaptations, including three tunnels totaling over 500 meters in length, constructed using drill-and-blast methods to pierce through varying rock bands while maintaining the extreme inclines. The track is configured as a single-track with a midpoint passing siding located approximately 685 meters from the base station, enabling the two counterbalanced vehicles to exchange positions efficiently without halting operations. This layout optimizes space in the narrow mountain valley while accommodating the bidirectional movement essential to funicular design. Environmental integration was a key consideration in the route's development, with excavated rock from the tunnels reused on-site by the operator to minimize waste and landscape alteration in the sensitive alpine ecosystem. The project adhered to stringent Swiss building standards for and , including rigorous health and protocols during that resulted in no major incidents, ensuring the infrastructure blends seamlessly with the protected natural surroundings of the .

Drive and Control Systems

The Stoosbahn employs an electric propulsion system powered by two low-voltage asynchronous , each rated at 1.2 MW, for a total output of 2.4 MW, enabling efficient operation on its extreme gradient. These drive a mechanical system with a 54 mm diameter cable, connected to counterbalanced cars that move in opposite directions, minimizing energy requirements through mutual support. Control systems utilize energy-efficient AC drives provided by ABB, which enable stepless speed regulation to maintain smooth and deceleration across varying terrain. The maximum operating speed reaches 10 m/s (36 km/h), allowing a full journey of 1,740 meters to take approximately 4 minutes. Recuperative braking recovers energy during descent as heat, which is used to heat the nearby Stoos Lodge, enhancing and supporting emergency speed reduction. Safety is ensured through the inherent funicular design, which operates independently of rail adhesion by relying on cable haulage and counterbalancing, eliminating risks associated with slip on steep inclines. A hydraulic leveling system maintains cabin floors horizontal throughout the ride, while the AC drives incorporate overload protection to prevent excessive loads on the motors and cable. Additional safeguards include 86 hold-down pulleys along the route to secure the haul and counter ropes against derailment forces.

Vehicles and Capacity

Design Features

The Stoosbahn operates with two identical counterbalanced vehicles, each comprising four interconnected spherical cabins designed to rotate independently during transit, ensuring the flooring remains level for passengers despite the extreme 110% gradient. This innovative rotation mechanism, powered by hydraulic systems integrated with the drive setup, allows each cabin to adjust continuously, providing a stable and comfortable experience akin to standing on flat ground. Each vehicle accommodates 136 passengers across its four cabins, with 34 passengers per cabin including both seating and standing areas, and features low-floor entry points to facilitate accessibility for users and those with mobility aids. The spacious interiors include large panoramic windows for unobstructed views of the surrounding , enhancing the passenger experience on the short but steep ascent. The vehicles' lightweight construction optimizes energy efficiency on the demanding incline, while the automatic leveling ensures precise alignment with the horizontal platforms at both the valley station in and the mountain station near , enabling smooth and barrier-free boarding and disembarking. This design not only prioritizes passenger safety and comfort but also supports year-round operations in varying weather conditions.

Operational Capacity

The Stoosbahn achieves a transport capacity of 1,500 passengers per hour in each direction, a significant improvement over its predecessor, enabling efficient access to the plateau. This throughput is facilitated by short cycle times, with journeys lasting 4 to 7 minutes and frequent departures during peak periods, typically every 4 to 6 minutes to meet demand. Operational scheduling varies seasonally to accommodate and recreational needs. In winter, frequencies are increased to support skier to nearby slopes, maximizing utilization of the system's rated capacity during high-demand periods such as weekends and holidays. Summer operations maintain steady intervals for hikers and sightseers, with the running year-round except for scheduled maintenance, such as from 3 November to 5 December 2025. The funicular is operated by Stoosbahnen AG, with round-trip fares at 23.20 CHF for adults (as of November 2025), offering compatibility with Swiss public transport passes such as the Swiss Travel Pass, which provides full coverage, and the Half-Fare Card for a 50% discount. Ticketing is available at valley stations or online, ensuring seamless integration with networks for broader accessibility. Energy efficiency is enhanced through systems, which recover during descent to generate approximately 410,000 kWh annually—equivalent to the output from 41,000 liters of —thereby minimizing the overall environmental impact of operations. This approach, powered by efficient AC motors, supports sustainable without relying on additional .

History

Predecessor and Planning

The original Schwyz–Stoos funicular railway, which provided access to the car-free mountain village of , opened in 1933 and served as the primary link between and Stoos for over eight decades. This predecessor system had a capacity of 1,000 passengers per hour but became obsolete by the early due to aging infrastructure, maintenance challenges, and insufficient capacity to meet growing demands in the region. It was decommissioned on 7 December 2017 to make way for a more modern replacement. Planning for the new was led by bahnen AG, the operating company responsible for the Stoos railways, and spanned approximately 14 years from initial conceptualization through to completion in 2017. Feasibility studies during this phase focused on overcoming the site's extreme topography, including gradients exceeding 47 degrees and the need to minimize environmental disruption in the sensitive Alpine landscape of the . Key stakeholders encompassed the government, which provided regulatory oversight and financial support, local residents who engaged through multiple public consultations, and specialized engineering firms such as Doppelmayr Garaventa, which contributed expertise in funicular and feasibility. The process required winning 11 referendums to secure community approval and funding, ensuring broad consensus on the project's viability and benefits. Regulatory approvals were obtained through Swiss federal and cantonal processes, prioritizing enhanced safety features like advanced drive systems and structural reinforcements that addressed the predecessor's limitations in reliability and emergency response. These measures were integral to the planning, reflecting a commitment to modern standards for mountain transport infrastructure in an ecologically protected area.

Construction and Opening

Construction of the Stoosbahn began in July 2013, following years of planning and approvals, with the project aimed at replacing the aging predecessor . The marked the start of significant earthworks, including the excavation of three tunnels totaling 562 meters in length, which presented major challenges due to the steep gradients of up to 110 percent and the need to employ the drill-and-blast method from top to bottom. These tunnels were completed with a breakthrough in February 2017, after which track laying commenced in using a specialized machine to install prefabricated segments of 5.6 meters each. The total cost of the project amounted to 52 million Swiss francs, financed through a combination of public funds from the federal government, , district, and municipality (accounting for 54 percent) and private contributions (46 percent). Track installation was finalized in the summer of , followed by the integration of the drive and control systems, including the hydraulic mechanisms for maintaining horizontal cabin orientation. Testing phases, encompassing checks and trial runs, occurred in late to ensure operational readiness. The Stoosbahn was officially inaugurated on 15 December 2017, with Swiss Federal Councillor and Transport Minister attending the ribbon-cutting ceremony on 16 December and further opening events on 17 December. These ceremonies highlighted the project's completion after approximately 14 years from initial planning, marking a key milestone in Swiss alpine infrastructure development.

Operations and Impact

Daily Operations

The Stoosbahn funicular operates year-round, providing daily service from its valley station in to the mountain village of , except during scheduled revision periods, such as from 3 November to 5 December in 2025 and 23 March to 24 April in 2026, for . Typical daily hours run from 7:10 a.m. to 8:40 p.m., with departures every 30 minutes at :10 and :40 past the hour, and extended operations until midnight on weekends during peak seasons. In winter, hours may extend further to accommodate activities, ensuring reliable access for up to 4,000 passengers per day during high season. The Stoosbahnen AG, which manages the funicular, employs between 101 and 250 staff members to handle operations across its transport systems. Operators conduct pre-shift to verify readiness, including the rotating cabins that adjust to the 47.7-degree , while adhering to strict protocols as the highest priority in daily routines. Procedures include monitoring weather conditions, with potential closures for high winds or severe conditions to protect passengers and crew, though the enclosed design minimizes exposure compared to open cable cars. Maintenance emphasizes daily cleaning and inspections to maintain hygiene and functionality, with staff using specialized tools like hand-held scrubbers, ride-on sweepers, and dry vacuums to remove dirt, , , and debris from cabins, windows, panoramic roofs, stations, and adjacent areas. These routines address passenger-related soiling, such as from boots in summer or in winter, ensuring the system's water ballast and rotation mechanisms remain operational without detailed public disclosure of overhaul schedules. Annual revisions during off-peak breaks involve comprehensive system checks, coordinated to minimize disruptions. For emergencies, the Stoosbahn integrates with Switzerland's national rescue services, following standard funicular protocols for steep inclines that prioritize rapid communication and coordinated evacuations via integrated safety systems, though specific drills are not publicly detailed.

Economic and Touristic Impact

The opening of the Stoosbahn in December 2017 significantly boosted to the resort by providing efficient access to its ski slopes and hiking trails, attracting more day visitors to the car-free mountain village. Prior to the new funicular, Stoosbahnen AG recorded approximately 359,000 day guests in 2016, a figure that rose to 544,000 in 2018 following the upgrade, reflecting a 53% increase attributable to the improved . By 2023, day visitor numbers to had climbed to over 642,000, surpassing pre-pandemic levels and underscoring the funicular's role in enhancing year-round recreational access. Economically, the Stoosbahn has contributed to job creation and revenue generation for Stoosbahnen AG and the surrounding region, supporting direct in operations, , and . The influx of visitors has bolstered local businesses, including restaurants and shops, while generating substantial tourism-related , such as over CHF 456,000 in visitor taxes for the Morschach-Stoos area in 2019 alone. These funds have enabled enhancements, like playgrounds and areas, further stimulating the local . For the community, the has improved resident mobility in the car-free village, offering a reliable alternative to the previous cable car and reducing dependence on from the valley. This enhanced connectivity has fostered a quieter, more pedestrian-friendly environment, benefiting the approximately 150 permanent inhabitants by facilitating daily commutes and supporting small-scale local enterprises without vehicle congestion. Post-opening challenges included adaptations to the , which severely impacted Swiss with nationwide closures and reduced international travel; Stoosbahnen AG's day guests fell to levels implying a significant drop in , aligning with a broader 50% decline in Swiss tourist spending that year. Temporary operational halts occurred in line with federal guidelines from March to June , affecting revenue and visitor access. On , the incorporates to recapture energy during descent, promoting efficient operations, while regional initiatives in Stoos-Muotatal emphasize eco-friendly practices.

References

  1. https://www.mageba-group.com/hu/en/1023/Europe/[Switzerland](/page/Switzerland)/181466/Stoosbahn-Schwyz.htm
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