Stuttgart Rack Railway, Rack railway in Stuttgart, Germany
The Stuttgart Rack Railway is a steep railway line running through the city and climbing a significant elevation change from a central downtown station to an upper neighborhood terminal. The line uses a special track system to grip and pull itself up the steep slope.
The line began service in 1884 as a steam-powered railway serving the growing city. It switched to electric power in the early 1900s, a change that keeps it running smoothly today.
Local residents know this rack railway by the nickname Zacke or Zacketse, showing how deeply it has become part of everyday Stuttgart life. People ride it as a routine way to connect hilltop neighborhoods with the city center.
Standard regional transit tickets work on the rack railway, making it easy to combine with other city transport lines. The stations at both ends connect well with other tram and bus services throughout the city.
The railway grips the track using the Riggenbach rack system, a specialized method for handling extremely steep slopes. This technology is rare in Germany and found in only a handful of locations nationwide.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
