RIGI Kulm - Vitznau; Europe's first mountain railway Swiss VRB 1958

In 1871 the VRB conquered 25% alpine slopes to pioneer public transport using Niklaus Riggenbach's rack rail, extending two years later up to Rigi Kulm 7km above Vitznau on the shore of Lake Lucerne.
Also featured is the 1874 addition of a dual track passing section with traverser junctions which were replaced with points in 1959/61 shortly after this cine film was shot in 1958. Subsequently the points were replaced twice in the 21st century, along with major redevelopment of the original station buildings seen here.
Vitznau-Rigi Railway en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vitznau...
Rigi-Bahnen en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rigi_Ra...
Rigi Kulm en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rigi
Rigi Staffel en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rigi_St...
Rigi Staffelhöhe
Rigi Kaltbad
Romiti Felsentor (dual track)
Freibergen
Grubisbalm
Schnurtobel bridge
Tunnelhüttli
Schwanden tunnel
Oberschwanden
Mittlerschwanden
Unterschwanden
Vitznau en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vitznau...
Arth-Rigi Railway en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arth%E2...
Correction, the engine seen at the end is not a replica, it's Engine No 7 which still operates (thanks to viewer Hundert Dampf for that information).
Paul Russenberger voices narration from 1999 to accompany this authentic 1958 cine film.
My 1958 film of Lucerne's various rail services ... • LUCERNE's Swiss Steam,...
Please view my other transport films via / alansnowdon
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[@martinmarsola6477]

Thank you this days video. Another pleasant trip into the past. Always happy to see them. 👍🙂🇺🇸

[@100dampf]

Nice to see the construction of the Schnurtobelviaduct
2:55 this isn't a replica, thats the real engine no 7. The VHS was only established a year later
But if you go there right now you will be very dissapointed, as there is only the remains of the Arth Rigi Railcar No 3 there. Engine No 7 is quite happily steaming up and down Mt Rigi

[@100dampf]

Also, is there a reason why the thumbnail is mirrored and labelled as Freibergen, when it shows Kaltbad?

[@AlanSnowdonArchive]

Thanks, very informative, I've credited your correction in the comments. Maybe there was another replica seen at the time that prompted the error?

[@AlanSnowdonArchive]

Quite right, well spotted, the thumbnails often get some manipulation to give a flavour of the film and extra station signs to attact viewers. But I ensure the films themselves are authentic and accurate.

[@100dampf]

@@AlanSnowdonArchive There is a replica that was my favourite playground right outside of Kaltbad. It has since been displayed at various location including Vitznau.
It's displayed outside a restaurant at Staffel right now.
But I have no idea how old it actually is or where might have been if it existed back then.
It was built from the base of a SBB Draisine