Steepest cogwheel – Facts

You are here:

Technical details

Leg Alpnachstad – Pilatus Kulm
Opened (steam operation) 4 June 1889
Reopened (after electrification) 15 May 1937
Reopened with new railcars 5 June 2023
Operation time May to November
Difference in altitude 1,635 m
Length of railway line 4,618 m
Speed ascent: 15 km/h;
descent: 9 km/h (on gradient >39%),
12 km/h (on gradient <39%)
Travel time ascent: 27 min., descent: 33 min.
Maximum conveyor capacity 368 persons per hour
Holding capacity 8 rail cars at 46 persons each
Empty weight 13.1 Tons
Total weight 16.7 Tons
Rail system cog railway system
Drive power 358 kW per rail car
Route: line gauge: 0.8 m;
gradient: maximum 48%, mean 38%
Catenary voltage 1'500 Volt DC
Manufacturer Generalbauunternehmer Locher
www.locher-ag.ch,
rail cars (new): Stadler Bussnang AG
rail cars (old): SLM Schweizerische Lokomotiv- & Maschinenfabrik, Winterthur