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The Jungfraujoch RailwayJungfraubahn
ABOVE: The railroad station at Kleine Scheidegg, with the Mönch and Eiger behind.
Is it worth it?
That's the question you have to ask yourself when faced with the
decision of whether to spend more than SFr 190,20 for a second-class railway
trip to
the top of the Jungfraujoch during your visit to Interlaken in the Bernese
Oberland. We'll get back to this question later. First, let's
talk about the Jungfraujoch Railway and why it's considered the classic tourist
excursion in the Swiss Alps. The Jungfraujoch Railway has its roots in the mid-1860s, when
Swiss hotelier Friedrich Seiler planned to drill a pneumatic tube railway to the summit of
the Jungfrau. His scheme never came to fruition, but the idea of a Jungfraubahn
proved irresistible in a country where railroad track was already being laid between every
city, town, and village that hoped to attract tourists. Other ideas, including a tunnel
big enough to hold a chalet-style hotel and an elevator to the summit, were proposed to
investors over the next 30 years. Still, it wasn't until 1893 that Adolf Guyer-Zeller became the
first engineer to develop a workable plan based on cogwheel-railway technology that had
already been proven on New Hampshire's Mt.Washington Railway and the Vitznau railway near
Lucerne. Guyer published his proposal in 1894, and investors flocked to the Jungfraubahn
just as tourists do today. Work began on July 27, 1896 and was hampered by a series of
disasters, including the accidental explosion of 30 tons of dynamite in 1908. The blast
reportedly was heard in Germany, more than 60 miles away. The railroad was completed in stages, with ticket revenues from
train rides to the viewing platforms at the lower stations being used to finance the
remaining work. The project's total cost was 14.9 million Swiss francs (about
12.35 million euros at today's exchange rate). Eighty-five years after the first electric train rolled into the Jungfraujoch station,
the railroad is still pulling in the crowds. Very little has changed since the author of
Muirhead's
Switzerland published this description in 1923: "The Jungfrau Railway, the highest railway in Europe and one of the most
interesting of all mountain lines, was constructed in 1896-1912 from the designs of Adolph
Guyer-Zeller of Zürich. It attains a height of over 11,000 ft., thus bringing the most
unathletic into the upper regions of the expert climber. "Most of the line is on the rack
system (Strub's patent), with overhead trolleys (steepest gradient 1:4), but there is also
a short section beyond Eismeer on the ordinary or 'adhesive' system (gradient 1:14). "The
power is generated in works near Lauterbrunnen and Burglauenen, whence it is transmitted
by high-tension lines. The gauge is 3 ft. 4 in. The first section of the line is in the
open air, but beyond Eigergletscher it runs through a great tunnel (4-3/4 m. long, 10 ft.
high, and 10 ft. wide), piercing the limestone and gneiss rock of the Eiger, Mönch, and
Jungfrau. "From the Jungfraujoch the intention was to carry up the line for 2000 ft. more,
leaving the summit to be attained by an elevator 242 ft. high, but there does not seem any
immediate prospect of completion of this scheme. Telescopes are provided at the stations
for the use of visitors. "The trip can hardly be recommended except when the weather is such as to
make a clear view from the top practically certain. The transit of the long tunnel (fully
1/2 hr.) is rather wearisome."
ABOVE: Approaching the Jungfrau. When you leave the train at the Jungfraujoch Station, take it
easy to avoid dizziness and headaches. (Remember, you're more than two miles above sea
level.) There's plenty to do when you're on top of the Jungfraujoch--after all, the mountain
has been a tourist destination for 85 years. You'll find an ice palace (free with your
train ticket), dogsled rides, a weather station, ski lessons, a restaurant, and an
observation post called the Sphinx terrace that you reach via a 364-foot (111m)
elevator. Earlier, we asked the question, "Is it worth it?" That depends on your budget
and how much you're willing to spend on what may be a once-in-a-lifetime experience. You
can make it easier to rationalize a "yes" decision by taking advantage of these
money-saving options: Use your Swiss Card or rail pass. Railroad travelers with the Swiss
Card pay less than 50% of the normal price on the
Jungfraubahn.
Holders of the Swiss Pass and Eurail Pass get smaller discounts. also get a substantial discount.
Check with the Jungfraubahn for current discounts with Bernese Oberland and
Jungfrau Railways passes. Set your alarm clock. From
May through October, you can save money with a "Good Morning Ticket."
You'll need to catch the 8 a.m. train from Kleine Scheidegg and return from the
Jungfraujoch station by noon. Take the kids. Children under 16 travel free if they're listed on a Family
Card, available at any railway station in Switzerland or from travel agents that sell the Swiss
Pass. For more information, see the English-language
Jungfrau Web site. If the price of a Jungfraujoch rail trip still seems too high, consider
taking one of the less costly mountain excursions in the area. Schilthorn (Piz Gloria)
Schynige Platte Harder
Kulm
switzerlandforvisitors.com Ice Palace, Jungfraujoch
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