Stoosbahn

The Stoosbahn, also known as the Schwyz–Stoos funicular or Standseilbahn Schwyz–Stoos, is a funicular railway in the Swiss canton of Schwyz. It connects the Hintere Schlattli in the municipalities of Muotatal, Morschach, and Schwyz with the village and mountain resort of Stoos, above Morschach. On a length of 1.7 kilometres (1.1 mi), it overcomes a height difference of 744 metres (2,441 ft). It opened on 15 December 2017 and replaces the older Schwyz-Stoos funicular, operating since 1933 on a different route. The carriages are barrel-shaped and rotate to maintain a level floor surface for passengers. Construction took five years and cost 52 million Swiss francs.[1][2][3]

Stoosbahn
View from Hinteres Schlattli base station
Overview
Other name(s)	Stoos Funicular
Native name	Standseilbahn Schwyz - Stoos
Status	operating daily
Owner	Stoosbahnen AG
Locale	Stoos
Termini	Schwyz Hinteres Schlattli Stoos
Stations	2
Website	stoos-muotatal.ch/train/stoosbahnen/
Service
Type	Commuter funiculair
Services	1
Operator(s)	Stoosbahnen
History
Commenced	2012
Opened	December 15, 2017 (2017-12-15)
Completed	2017
Technical
Line length	1,740 metres (5,710 ft)
Number of tracks	1
Character	Commuter and touristic funicular
Track gauge	1,435 mm (4 ft 8 1⁄2 in) standard gauge
Old gauge	1,200 mm (3 ft 11 1⁄4 in) the original line
Operating speed	10 metres per second (33 ft/s)
Highest elevation	1,306 metres (4,285 ft)
Maximum incline	110% (47.73°)

The new line has a maximum gradient of 110% (47.7°) and is the steepest funicular railway in Switzerland and Europe, superseding the Gelmerbahn. It has been widely claimed to be the steepest in the world,[1][2] although the Katoomba Scenic Railway in Australia is steeper, with a maximum gradient of 122%, but uses a winch system[4] and is, therefore, an incline lift and not a funicular railway.[5]