The Biel–Magglingen Funicular (German: Magglingenbahn; French: Funiculaire Bienne–Macolin) is a funicular railway in the bilingual city of Biel/Bienne in the Swiss canton of Bern. The funicular links Biel/Bienne at 435 m with Magglingen/Macolin at 873 m in the Jura mountains above the town.[1] The line with a length of 1693 m has a maximum incline of 32% and a difference of elevation of 442 m. The funicular with two cars has a single track with a passing loop.

Biel–Magglingen Funicular
lower station (before 1910)
Overview
Other name(s)Drahtseilbahn Biel–Magglingen; Seilbahn Biel–Magglingen; Funiculaire Bienne–Macolin; Standseilbahn Biel–Magglingen; Magglingenbahn
StatusIn operation
OwnerVerkehrsbetriebe Biel/Transports publics biennois (since 2014); FUNIC AG (2000-2013); Drahtseilbahn-Gesellschaft Biel-Magglingen
LocaleBiel/Bienne, Switzerland
Termini
  • "Biel/Bienne Magglingenb.(Funi)" at Seevorstadt 21
  • "Magglingen/Macolin"
Stations2
Service
TypeFunicular
Operator(s)Verkehrsbetriebe Biel/Transports publics biennois (short: VB/TPB)
Rolling stock2
History
Opened2 June 1887
(136 years ago)
 (1887-06-02)
Enhancements1923, 1954, 2001, 2019
Technical
Track length1,693 m (5,554 ft)
Number of tracks1 with passing loop
Rack system- (initially Riggenbach)
Electrification1923 (water counterbalancing before)
Operating speed6 metres per second (19.7 ft/s)
Maximum incline32%

The line is owned and operated by Verkehrsbetriebe Biel/Transports publics biennois (short: VB/TPB) since 2014, when it absorbed "FUNIC AG" that also operated nearby Bienne–Evilard Funicular.[1]Initially it was built by Drahtseilbahn-Gesellschaft Biel-Magglingen in 1887.

The funicular isn't operating in spring 2023.[2]

Operation edit

The line has the following parameters:[1]

Feature Value
Number of cars 2
Number of stops 2 (at terminals)
Configuration Single track with passing loop
Track length 1,693 metres (5,554 ft)
Track gauge (?)
Rise 442 metres (1,450 ft)
Maximum gradient 32%
Maximum speed 6 metres per second (19.7 ft/s)
Travel time 9 minutes


See also edit

Gallery edit

References edit

  1. ^ a b c "BM - Biel - Magglingen (Bienne - Macolin)". Funimag. Retrieved 12 October 2011.
  2. ^ Verkehrsbetriebe Biel. "Magglingenbahn ausser Betrieb bis 08.07.2023" (in German). Retrieved 10 May 2023.

External links edit


47°08′15″N 7°13′28″E / 47.137366°N 7.224541°E / 47.137366; 7.224541