Lötschberg, Paddle steamer in Interlaken, Switzerland.
The Lötschberg is a paddle steamer on Lake Thun measuring about 56 meters long with traditional paddle wheels on each side. This vessel retains its original steam engine and mechanical systems from the early 1900s.
This vessel was launched on March 31, 1914, and formed part of a network of steamers connecting communities around Lake Thun. This era of paddle steamer service represented a peak period for transportation on Swiss lakes.
The vessel carries the name of a notable Alpine pass, connecting the mountains and water of the region in local memory. This naming choice reflects how transportation routes shaped the identity of communities around the lake.
The vessel is moored in Interlaken and can be viewed from the shore, allowing visitors to observe the steam engine and paddle wheel mechanics from the deck. Access is typically straightforward since the boat sits at a central lakeside location.
Despite over a century of operation, the vessel still runs its genuine steam engine from 1914, not a replica or modern rebuild. This makes it a rare example of unbroken technical continuity among Swiss lake steamers.
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