Wartensteinbahn
Overview
Other name(s)Drahtseilbahn Ragaz–Wartenstein
Statusceased operation
OwnerActien-Gesellschaft Drahtseilbahn Ragaz-Wartenstein
LocaleCanton of St. Gallen, Switzerland
Termini
  • Bad Ragaz
  • Wartenstein
Stations2
Service
Rolling stock2 for 28 passengers each
History
Opened1 August 1892 (1892-08-01)
Concession1890
Closed25 October 1964 (1964-10-25)
Technical
Line length788 m (2,585 ft)
Track length796 m (2,612 ft)
Number of tracks1 with passing loop
Rack systemRiggenbach
Track gauge1,000 mm (3 ft 3+3⁄8 in)
ElectrificationNo
Highest elevation747 m (2,451 ft)
Maximum incline30.3%

Wartensteinbahn was a funicular railway in the canton of St. Gallen, Switzerland. The line led from Bad Ragaz at 520 m to Wartenstein (part of Pfäfers) at 747 m. It was built in 1892 for tourists in the resort Ragaz to access the viewpoint and restaurant at Wartenstein.[1] The line with a length of 790 m had a difference of elevation of 206 m at a maximum incline of 30%.[2][1] The single-track line with a passing loop used water counterbalancing.[2][1]

The funicular was owned and operated by Actien-Gesellschaft Drahtseilbahn Ragaz-Wartenstein.

The line was closed in 1964.

From 2018 to 2022, the association Förderverein Wartensteinbahn attempted to rebuild the funicular. A project with an estimated cost of 9.5 million CHF was developed. The pandemic and a change of ownership of the hotel at the upper station led to the cancellation of the project.[3]

Remains of tunnels, viaducts, the passing loop are still visible.[4] The lower station was converted into a residential building.

References

  1. 1 2 3 Walloth, Karl (1893), "19. Die Drahtseilbahn Ragaz – Wartenstein", Die Drahtseilbahnen der Schweiz, Ergebnisse einer auf Veranlassung des kaiserlichen Ministeriums für Elsass-Lothringen unternommenen Studienreise (in German), Wiesbaden: C.W. Kreidel, pp. 80–82, Tafel 10
  2. 1 2 Strub, Emil (1892), "Unsere Drahtseilbahnen", Schweizerische Bauzeitung (in German), 19 (12/13/16): 77–81, 85–88, 110–111, 113
  3. ↑ Wartensteinbahn (in German), Förderverein Wartensteinbahn
  4. ↑ Rupp, Susan (2018), "Schlittelstürze im Schlossrank und eine rasante Teefahrt, Erinnerungen von Einheimischen ans "Wartaschtaibähnli"", Terra plana (in German), no. 4, pp. 29–36
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