Jump to content
 

Schynige Platte and Brienzer Rothorn 2019


eastwestdivide
 Share

Recommended Posts

A couple of weeks back we had a family holiday in the Interlaken area, some of which was spent on assorted public transport. So I thought it only fair to share a few photos.

 

First, the Schynige Platte Bahn from Wilderswil, 50 mins of relentless climbing using an electric "box on wheels" loco.

We were lucky enough to be on a service that was doubled-up, the second train following us at a safe distance. View back over Interlaken (the Harder Kulm funicular track can be seen on the hillside opposite the foreground trees on the right):

IMG_7219.jpg.c5c967d996a233654ee8cc589d5b2c20.jpg

 

And a bit further up:

IMG_7222.jpg.8cf922b03e939af29cdb2da8802dcfec.jpg

 

At the top, you get some views. Here, another train including a supplies wagon reaches the summit station, with the Lauterbrunnen valley in the background below:

IMG_7233.jpg.f3e0c4917f54d0112ad754cf1bfdb70e.jpg

 

And the corresponding view up the Grindelwald valley:

735911603_SchynigePlatteviews.jpg.2f1a7d3ef7a7c40b16d9f3da7cce1574.jpg

 

They also have some interesting "other" motive power:

1786394165_SchynigePlattedigger.jpg.5b81257db763cbe41ff1dee413ab5c05.jpg

Edited by eastwestdivide
typo
  • Like 9
Link to post
Share on other sites

A separate day, we did the Brienzer Rothorn Bahn. I'd missed out on this a few years back as the TV screen at the bottom was showing solid cloud at the summit, but this time we were luckier.

First, some trains. Our loco at Brienz:

31911924_1loco.jpg.aeb0b19294d35b41bd5e5a3ed57a24f7.jpg

 

Detail of part of the ultra low gearing. Don't ask me how it works!

When moving, the locos sound like they're doing about 50-60mph, but in reality, you'd be lucky to reach 5mph:

563159815_2mech.jpg.a137f5baf88d64876a8b26b08ce97d52.jpg

 

Half way up, they stop to refill with water:

1966811896_3watering.jpg.fd00396035bc7cf8abb457c8a2bd49b5.jpg

 

Near the summit, there was a maintenance train out, which shuffled around the passing loop each time a pair of trains crossed, and then moved out to the work site between services:

1854888766_4maintenance.jpg.bb0c78501842b5865dacb34d41f5b364.jpg

 

Complete train at the 2245m/7500ft summit:

1199304290_5summit.jpg.33a65f295f623afb8c37203e47a6794a.jpg

 

The wide-opening windows visible above have an unexpected effect - you may need ear defenders when going through the tunnels, as some of my family will testify:

97328301_deafenedinatunnel.jpg.5ac306ae6244de108263a00851a11f24.jpg

 

Wider views to follow...

Edited by eastwestdivide
  • Like 9
  • Funny 1
Link to post
Share on other sites

View from the top, entirety of Lake Brienz:

IMG_1849.jpg.ebe3df3d83d62a1816da9a7e4e44e76e.jpg

 

The lake again, with a train:

IMG_7411.jpg.d8e7489832bb18a2d7c2ca15ca843cd6.jpg

 

Near the upper passing loop, first a crossing passenger service, then that maintenance train again:

IMG_7384.jpg.a0203f6dc2da374beb47d324364c86d2.jpg

IMG_7388.jpg.019cf54ef1daa153bbcedff127e4c3f7.jpg

 

And two trains in shot, twice, taken from the summit:

IMG_7407.jpg.083c51b1552252361c4675c836b50a8a.jpg

 

IMG_7416.jpg.9b0c9e130529807f4829fb4d73896e06.jpg

 

 

I was thoroughly impressed by the climb, the locos, the views and pretty much everything. It might be expensive, but if it's clear, it's worth it.

We had the "Regional Pass Bernese Oberland", which we quickly abbreviated to "BO Card". It includes the steam railway and a swathe of public transport between Bern, Lucerne, Brig, Gstaad and includes most of the expensive mountain lines and cable cars in the Interlaken area up to Kleine Scheidegg.

Edited by eastwestdivide
  • Like 18
Link to post
Share on other sites

  • RMweb Premium

Some nice photos there. I've been on the BRB a few times. The BO card allows unlimited travel on there, so you can spend the day going up and down as much as you like - so I did! It's a stunning line. No idea how nice the SPB is. I've only managed it once and it was in the rain. The cloud at the top was so bad that if you stood near the loco, you could hardly see the end of the second coach! 

  • Thanks 1
Link to post
Share on other sites

  • RMweb Premium

Really nice pictures . Thanks for posting , puts me in the notion again! Lucky enough to have done both and the line up to Jungfrau . Really superb engineering

  • Thanks 1
Link to post
Share on other sites

1 hour ago, 5944 said:

No idea how nice the SPB is. I've only managed it once and it was in the rain. The cloud at the top was so bad that if you stood near the loco, you could hardly see the end of the second coach

In poor weather - been there, done that! Ascended in hope, descended in cloud.

If it's clear, the SPB is well worth it. Alpine garden just beyond the platform, and walks to suit all abilities. As it's on the ridge separating Lake Brienz from the Jungfrau region proper (Grindelwald etc), you can get views in all directions with just a little extra effort from the summit station.

  • Like 1
  • Informative/Useful 1
Link to post
Share on other sites

  • RMweb Premium

For those who are curious about what is at the top at Schynige Platte, here is a link to a reasonably recent (2018) web cam. As I type this, Schynige Platte is in cloud, but you can use the back-date feature to find a date and time when it is clear (the 'Archive' link, the boxes with 24 in them on the right hand side).

 

Similarly for the Brienzer Rothorn, here is a link to a webcam located above the Sorenberg cable car station, which is between the railway terminal and the Rothorn Peak.

 

Finally, this webcam shows a (rather dull) view of a Brienz car park outside Hotel Brienzerburli during the off season and in the evenings, but during the day during service hours carries the feed from a camera mounted on the roof of one of the Brienzer Rothorn Bahn carriages - when they remember to switch the feed! (At the moment is showing that car park). It used to always carry the feed from the carriage, which of course was even more dull that the car park during the non-operational hours (and months).

 

Right, now to see if I can spot me at Schynige Platte last August.....

 

  • Thanks 1
  • Informative/Useful 1
Link to post
Share on other sites

  • 2 weeks later...
  • RMweb Premium

Bad news for the fan of the Schynige Platte webcam:

 

 

image.png.01ae8d0cbef7b253fb2aaf18748dd2be.png

 

The message says that the webcam is out of action due to a lighting strike, and will be replaced ASAP.

 

 

 

 

 

Edited by DIW
Picture upload doolally
  • Informative/Useful 1
Link to post
Share on other sites

  • 4 months later...
1 hour ago, Gilbert said:

Thanks for posting those photos. I may be planning a trip to Switzerland myself...

Plenty of people on here can probably advise you if you want. And the January planning of a summer holiday is half the fun!

  • Like 1
  • Thanks 1
Link to post
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
 Share

×
×
  • Create New...