Elektrotriebwagen Zahnradbahn

Elektrischer Zahnrad-Triebwagen Bhe 1/2, Nr. 21, der PB Pilatus-Bahnen AG

Dating

1937

Persons

Eduard Locher-Freuler (1840 - 1910), Patent/System, archivalisch belegt

MFO Maschinenfabrik Oerlikon (1876 - 1967), Hersteller/in

PB Pilatus-Bahn Alpnachstad (Pilatusbahn Alpnachstad) (1886), Betreiber/in, archivalisch belegt

SLM Schweizerische Lokomotiv- und Maschinenfabrik (1871 - 1998), Hersteller/in

Description

Elektrischer Zahnrad-Triebwagen Bhe 1/2, Nr. 21, der PB Pilatus-Bahnen AG

Signature / Inscription

Signatur / Beschriftung: "PILATUS LUZERN", "48% - Steilste Zahnradbahn der Welt"

Object type

Object (three-dimensional)

Inventory number

VHS-13699

Legend

Elektrischer Zahnradtriebwagen Bhe 1/2 Nr. 21 PB 1937 Electrically up the steepest cogwheel railway in the world From Alpnachstad (436 metres above sea level), the steepest cogwheel railway in the world leads up to Mount Pilatus (2,070 m metres above sea level). Over a distance of just 4.6 kilometres, it climbs more than 1,600 metres in altitude – a technical masterpiece. In the 1930s, the Pilatus railway’s steam-powered vehicles were badly worn out. The line was electrified in 1937. The eight new railcars were built by Schweizerische Lokomotiv- und Maschinenfabrik (SLM) and Maschinenfabrik Oerlikon (MFO). Like their predecessors, they utilised the globally unique rack and pinion system developed by Eduard Locher, which made operation on this extremely steep line possible in the first place. Railcar no. 21 was in service until the end of November 2022. The third generation of railcars with a modern design followed in 2023 with the Bhe 2/2.