Work on the Jungfrau Railway from Kleine
Scheidegg to Jungfraujoch began in 1896. Built in stages so that
ticket revenue could be used to fund construction, the line up to
Jungfraujoch, Europe's highest railway station at 11,333 feet
(3,454m) was finally completed in 1912.
From Kleine Scheidegg the Jungfrau
Railway takes us to Eigergletscher, home to the husky
dogs that pull sledges up the summit of the Jungfrau. Shortly after
leaving Eigergletscher we enter the 4.43-mile (7,122m) tunnel that
ends underneath Jungfraujoch. During our journey through the tunnel
we make a short stop at Eiger Wall to enjoy the view through the
picture window from the north face of the Eiger down to
Grindelwald. We also stop briefly at Eismeer to enjoy the views
over the Grindelwald and Fiescher glaciers before arriving at our
destination: Jungfraujoch's underground station.
The route from Interlaken to Jungfraujoch, Europe's highest
railway station, actually comprises three different railways.
The first leg from Interlaken to Lauterbrunnen is on the Bernese
Oberland Railway. This narrow-gauge line was opened in 1890 and is
12 miles in length. Over the course of the route, the line climbs
467 metres above sea level. The line was electrified in 1914 and
some of these electric locomotives survive for use on special
trains today. However, nowadays services are mostly run by
specially-designed trains with low floors, built to maximise the
views of the beautiful alpine scenery.
At Lauterbrunnen, the Wengernalp Railway runs to Kleine
Scheidegg. This is also a narrow-gauge line and was opened to the
public in 1893. Due to the steep incline of the route, the line is
actually the world's longest rack railway at 12 miles. The views
are outstanding, with highlights including the White Lütschine
River valley and the Staubbach Falls.
The Jungfrau Railway begins at Kleine Scheidegg and runs the
remaining six miles to just below the summit of the Jungfrau
Mountain. The narrow-gauge line was opened in 1912 after a long
building process. Although much of the line is in a tunnel, the
route includes an observation deck with windows built into the
passage, to maximise the fantastic views. On emerging from the
tunnel, the train arrives at Jungfraujoch, which at 11,333 feet is
the highest railway station in Europe.
Due to the steep area through which it runs, the line is
actually the world's longest continuous rack railway at just over
12 miles. On this particular stretch of the route, the views are
absolutely outstanding, with highlights including the White
Lütschine River Valley and the Staubbach Falls.
The final section of the journey is on the Jungfrau Railway,
which begins at Kleine Scheidegg and runs the remaining six miles
to just below the summit of the Jungfrau Mountain. The narrow-gauge
line was opened in 1912, following a long and difficult building
process.
Although much of the line is in a tunnel, the route includes an
observation deck with huge windows built into the passage, to
maximise the fantastic views. On emerging from the tunnel the train
arrives at Jungfraujoch, which at 11,333 feet (3455 metres) is the
highest railway station in Europe.
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