Polybahn

The Polybahn is a funicular railway in Zürich, Switzerland. The line operates out of Zürich Central-Hochschulen, and carries passengers up to the terrace by the main building of ETH Zurich, which was formerly called Eidgenössisches Polytechnikum, and from which the railway derives its name.

History

In 1886 a concession for the railway was issued, and on 8 January 1889 the Zurich mountain railway opened. The funicular was initially water-driven (powered by an exchange of water ballast between the carriages); the railway was electrified in 1897.

In 1950 the Zurich Mountain Railway Company began losing money, and eventually decided to not renew the concession in the early 1970s. In 1972 a foundation was created to help preserve the Polybahn.

In 1976 SBG rescued the Polybahn, creating SBG Polybahn AG. In 1990 the railway was completely renovated, the mechanism was replaced, and the old three-rail tracks were replaced with the current two-rail tracks. On 21 October 1996 the railway reopened under the name "UBS Polybahn".

Technical data

Runs every	2.5 min
Mode of operation	Automated
Drive	Three-phase AC motor with frequency changer
Track gauge	1000 mm
Track length	176 m
Rise	41 m
Average gradient	23%
Capacity	50 persons per car
Speed	Max 2.5 m/s (= 9 km/h)
Travel time	100 seconds
Mechanical handling capacity	1200 Persons/h per direction

External links

• Polybahn site (in German)