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 in the area.
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 area through which
it runs, the line is actually the world's longest rack railway at
12 miles. The views are outstanding on this route, 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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