Giessbachbahn, Funicular railway at Lake Brienz, Switzerland.
Giessbachbahn is a funicular railway at Lake Brienz that links the lake shore to the Grand Hotel Giessbach over a distance of 345 meters. The track has a passing loop in the middle section where the two cars meet and pass each other.
The railway opened in 1879 using a water-powered system to operate. It was converted to hydraulic power in 1912, and then to electric drive in 1948.
The funicular serves as a gateway to Swiss mountain experiences, connecting visitors to alpine landscapes and regional traditions near Brienz.
The journey takes about four minutes and one car holds 40 passengers. The best time to ride is in clear weather when views of the lake and mountains are unobstructed.
Engineer Carl Roman Abt designed a revolutionary toothed rail system for this railway that had no moving parts at the passing loop. This invention allowed two trains to safely meet on a single-track line.
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