Bürgenstock Funicular
The Bürgenstock Funicular (German: Bürgenstock-Bahn; BB) is a funicular railway in the canton of Nidwalden, Switzerland. The line links the landing stage at Kehrsiten-Bürgenstock, served by the regular passenger boats of the Schifffahrtsgesellschaft des Vierwaldstättersees, with the Bürgenstock resort and its famous hotels.
| Bürgenstock-Bahn | |
|---|---|
| Overview | |
| Status | In operation |
| Locale | Lake Lucerne, Switzerland |
| Termini |
|
| Stations | 2 |
| Service | |
| Type | Funicular |
| Rolling stock | 2 |
| History | |
| Opened | 8 July 1888 |
| Closed for refurbishing | 2011 |
| Reopened | 28 August 2017 |
| Technical | |
| Track length | 929 metres (3,048 ft) |
| Number of tracks | 1 with passing loop |
| Rack system | - (originally Abt) |
| Track gauge | 1,000 mm (3 ft 3+3⁄8 in) |
| Electrification | from opening |
| Highest elevation | 869 m (2,851 ft) |
| Maximum incline | 58% |
The funicular was opened in 1888 and was originally had an Abt rack braking rail. The funicular is electric and automatic, but until the closure in 2011 it still used the original cabins. The line has been suspended since November 2011 whilst work is undertaken to create a new luxury resort financed by a Qatar finance group at its upper station, and was reopened on 28 August 2017.
It got bad press even before its reopening due to its exorbitant fare prices which are high, even for Swiss standards. The resort management announced a fare of CHF 50 for a roundtrip.
The line has the following parameters:
| Feature | Value |
|---|---|
| Number of cars | 2 |
| Number of stops | 2 |
| Configuration | Single track with passing loop |
| Track length | 929 metres (3,048 ft) |
| Rise | 434 metres (1,424 ft) |
| Maximum gradient | 58% |
| Track gauge | 1,000 mm (3 ft 3+3⁄8 in) metre gauge |
| Speed | 6 metres per second (19.7 ft/s) |
| Journey time | 4 mins |