Eiger Express

Last updated
Eiger Express
Eiger Express vor Nebelwand.jpg
Eiger Express gondola above Grindelwald
Overview
StatusOperational
CharacterRecreational
Location Grindelwald, Bernese Oberland
Country Switzerland
Coordinates 46°37′29″N8°01′08″E / 46.6247°N 8.0189°E / 46.6247; 8.0189
Termini Grindelwald Terminal
Eigergletscher Station
Elevationlowest:  947 m (3,107 ft)
highest: 2,328 m (7,638 ft)
Built byDoppelmayr/Garaventa
LTW
Frey AG [1] [2]
Construction cost470million CHF [3]
OpenDecember 2020;3 years ago (2020-12) [4]
Website Official Website
Operation
Operator Jungfraubahn
No. of carriers44
Carrier capacity26 (per carrier)
Trip duration15 min
Fare64.- CHF July 2022
Technical features
Aerial lift typeTri-cable gondola detachable
Manufactured byDoppelmayr/Garaventa [1]
Line length6483m
No. of support towers7

The Eiger Express is a gondola cableway linking Grindelwald with the Eigergletscher that opened in December, 2020. [5]

Contents

History

The Eiger Express was constructed as part of a wider project known as V-cableway. This included a new station, Grindelwald Terminal, the replacement of the Männlichen cableway and the construction of the Eiger Express. [6]

The project beginnings were formed back in 2008, when a replacement railway station for Kleine Schiedegg was explored to be underground. It was ultimately not pursued. A later project for a Y cableway was considered but abandoned in 2011. In 2012, the first plans for the V cableway were undertaken and in 2014 a vote took place in Grindelwald to decide if it should be built. The vote did not pass, however a second plan was approved in early 2015. [7] [8] [9]

Planning permission was granted in 2015, however construction did not begin until April 2018 due to 17 objections needing to be rectified. [10] A long running objection was from local man, and former Jungfraubahn employee Otto Kaufman, who demanded £750,000 in compensation. [11] [12] Ground was broken on 3 July 2018, and the project at that point had cost 12million CHF. In March 2019, tunnelling works on the Eiger were completed to allow for progress to continue during the year constructing the new station for Eigergletscher and skiing areas. From May 2020, the gondolas were constructed for the Eiger Express.

In December 2020, the Eiger Express opened. Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the opening was a very limited attendance event with several executives and two eagles in attendance. [7] [13]

Operation

The passenger hall at Eigergletscher with visible ticket barriers to access the Jungfraujoch train to the right Eigergletscher (passenger hall1).jpg
The passenger hall at Eigergletscher with visible ticket barriers to access the Jungfraujoch train to the right

The Eiger Express takes 15 minutes in total duration, travelling at 8 meters per second across a total distance of 6483 meters. [14] The Eiger Express allows a faster access to the Jungfraujoch summit by 47 minutes. [15] [16] There are 44 gondolas, that can hold a maximum of 26 people. In addition, there is a VIP gondola numbered 888 which features a champagne bar in the centre of the cabin. [17] There is a capacity of 2,200 people per hour to be transported. Due to the tri-cable system, there are only seven towers on the route, and the gondolas pass within 1800 meters of the Eiger north face. [18] [19]

Upon arrival at the gondola station, there is a new passenger hall that has been constructed to connect to the Eigergletscher railway station. Transfers to the Jungfraujoch train can be made, alongside exits for walkers and skiers. There is a bistro within the new building. [20] [21]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jungfrau Railway</span> Mountain cogwheel railway in Switzerland

The Jungfrau Railway is a mountain rack railway in the Bernese Alps, Switzerland, connecting Kleine Scheidegg in the Bernese Oberland to the Jungfraujoch, across the Valais border. It is the highest railway in Switzerland and Europe, running 9 kilometres (5.6 mi) from the station of Kleine Scheidegg to the Jungfraujoch, well above the perennial snow line. As a consequence, the railway runs essentially within the Jungfrau Tunnel, built into the neighbouring Eiger and Mönch, to protect the line from snow and extreme weather.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wengernalp Railway</span> Rack railway in the Bernese Oberland of Switzerland

The Wengernalp Railway is a 19.11 kilometres (11.87 mi) long rack railway line in Switzerland. It runs from Lauterbrunnen to Grindelwald via Wengen and Kleine Scheidegg, making it the world's longest continuous rack and pinion railway. The name refers to the alpine meadow of Wengernalp, above Wengen.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jungfrau</span> Mountain summit in the Bernese Alps, between the Swiss cantons of Bern and Valais

The Jungfrau, at 4,158 meters (13,642 ft) is one of the main summits of the Bernese Alps, located between the northern canton of Bern and the southern canton of Valais, halfway between Interlaken and Fiesch. Together with the Eiger and Mönch, the Jungfrau forms a massive wall of mountains overlooking the Bernese Oberland and the Swiss Plateau, one of the most distinctive sights of the Swiss Alps.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lauterbrunnen</span> Village and municipality in Switzerland

Lauterbrunnen is a village and municipality in the Interlaken-Oberhasli administrative district in the canton of Bern in Switzerland. The municipality comprises the other villages of Wengen, Mürren, Gimmelwald, Stechelberg, and Isenfluh, as well as several other hamlets. The population of the village of Lauterbrunnen is less than that of Wengen, but larger than that of the others.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Eiger</span> Mountain in the Bernese Alps, Switzerland

The Eiger is a 3,967-metre (13,015 ft) mountain of the Bernese Alps, overlooking Grindelwald and Lauterbrunnen in the Bernese Oberland of Switzerland, just north of the main watershed and border with Valais. It is the easternmost peak of a ridge crest that extends across the Mönch to the Jungfrau at 4,158 m (13,642 ft), constituting one of the most emblematic sights of the Swiss Alps. While the northern side of the mountain rises more than 3,000 m (10,000 ft) above the two valleys of Grindelwald and Lauterbrunnen, the southern side faces the large glaciers of the Jungfrau-Aletsch area, the most glaciated region in the Alps. The most notable feature of the Eiger is its nearly 1,800-metre-high (5,900 ft) north face of rock and ice, named Eiger-Nordwand, Eigerwand or just Nordwand, which is the biggest north face in the Alps. This huge face towers over the resort of Kleine Scheidegg at its base, on the eponymous pass connecting the two valleys.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Grindelwald</span> Municipality in Bern, Switzerland

Grindelwald is a village and municipality in the Interlaken-Oberhasli administrative district in the canton of Berne. In addition to the village of Grindelwald, the municipality also includes the settlements of Alpiglen, Burglauenen, Grund, Itramen, Mühlebach, Schwendi, Tschingelberg and Wargistal.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kleine Scheidegg</span>

The Kleine Scheidegg is a mountain pass at an elevation of 2,061 m (6,762 ft), situated below and between the Eiger and Lauberhorn peaks in the Bernese Oberland region of Switzerland. The name means "minor watershed", as it only divides the two arms of the Lütschine river, both converging at Zweilütschinen, while the nearby Grosse Scheidegg divides the Lütschine from the Rychenbach stream.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jungfraujoch</span> Glacier saddle in the Swiss Alps

The Jungfraujoch is a saddle connecting two major 4000ers of the Bernese Alps: the Jungfrau and the Mönch. It lies at an elevation of 3,463 metres (11,362 ft) above sea level and is directly overlooked by the rocky prominence of the Sphinx. The Jungfraujoch is a glacier saddle, on the upper snows of the Aletsch Glacier, and part of the Jungfrau-Aletsch area, situated on the boundary between the cantons of Bern and Valais, halfway between Interlaken and Fiesch.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Grindelwald–Männlichen gondola cableway</span>

The Grindelwald–Männlichen gondola cableway is a gondola cableway linking Grindelwald with Männlichen. It is owned and operated by the Gondelbahn Grindelwald–Männlichen AG.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lütschental railway station</span>

Lütschental railway station is a railway station in the village and municipality of Lutschental in the Swiss canton of Bern. The station is on the Berner Oberland Bahn, whose trains operate services to Interlaken Ost and Grindelwald.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kleine Scheidegg railway station</span>

Kleine Scheidegg is a railway station and hub that is situated on the summit of Kleine Scheidegg, a mountain pass in the Bernese Oberland region of Switzerland. The pass, located between the Lauberhorn and the Eiger's ridge, houses a complex of hotels and railway buildings. Administratively, the station is in the municipality of Lauterbrunnen in the canton of Bern, a few metres from the border with the municipality of Grindelwald.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Grindelwald Grund railway station</span>

Grindelwald Grund is a railway station in the village and municipality of Grindelwald in the Swiss canton of Bern. The station is served by the Wengernalpbahn (WAB), whose trains operate from Grindelwald to Kleine Scheidegg. It takes its name from the Grund area of the village, in which it is located.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Eigergletscher railway station</span>

Eigergletscher is a railway station in the municipality of Lauterbrunnen in the canton of Bern. The station is served by trains of the Jungfrau railway, which run to the Jungfraujoch from Kleine Scheidegg, where they connect with services from Interlaken, Lauterbrunnen, Wengen and Grindelwald via the Bernese Oberland railway and the Wengernalp railway.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Eigerwand railway station</span> Railway station in Switzerland

Eigerwand is a currently disused underground railway station on the Jungfrau railway, which runs to the Jungfraujoch from Kleine Scheidegg. The station is situated just behind the north wall of the Eiger, and its principal purpose was to allow passengers to observe the view through a series of windows carved into the rock face. Trains to Jungfraujoch used to stop at the station for five minutes.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Eismeer railway station</span> Underground railway station in Switzerland

Eismeer railway station is an underground railway station bored into the mountain Eiger on the Jungfrau Railway, which runs to the Jungfraujoch from Kleine Scheidegg. It lies at an altitude of 3,159 metres above sea level, which makes it the second highest railway station in Europe. Located just behind the south-east face of the Eiger, the station's principal purpose is to allow passengers to observe the view of the glacier Ischmeer. To that end, uphill trains stop at the station for five minutes.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jungfraujoch railway station</span>

Jungfraujoch is an underground railway station situated near the Jungfraujoch, in the canton of Valais, a few metres from the border with the canton of Bern. At 3,454 metres (11,332 ft) above sea level, it is the terminus of the Jungfrau Railway and the highest railway station in Switzerland and Europe. The Jungfrau Railway runs from Kleine Scheidegg in the Bernese Oberland, through the Jungfrau Tunnel and crosses the border between the two cantons shortly before the terminus.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jungfrau-Aletsch protected area</span> Protected area in south-western Switzerland

The Jungfrau-Aletsch protected area is located in south-western Switzerland between the cantons of Berne and Valais. It is a mountainous region in the easternmost side of the Bernese Alps, containing the northern wall of Jungfrau and Eiger, and the largest glaciated area in western Eurasia, comprising the Aletsch Glacier. The Jungfrau-Aletsch protected area is the first World Natural Heritage site in the Alps; it was inscribed in 2001.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">V-cableway</span> Swiss gondola cableway

The V-cableway is a gondola cableway with a shared base station at Grindelwald; it has one route to Männlichen and another to Eigergletscher railway station. It was built by Jungfraubahn AG.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Grindelwald Terminal railway station</span>

Grindelwald Terminal railway station is a transportation complex in the municipality of Grindelwald in the Swiss canton of Bern. It is the valley station for two cableways: the Eiger Express to the Eiger Glacier, and the Grindelwald–Männlichen to the Männlichen. Trains on the Bernese Oberland line stop here as well, providing regular service to Interlaken Ost and Grindelwald.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wetterhorn Elevator</span>

The Wetterhorn Elevator was an aerial tramway in the valley of Grindelwald. It connected the base of the Upper Grindelwald Glacier to a higher location in the Wetterhorn massif. The tramway was inaugurated in 1908, making it the first of its kind in Switzerland. It closed only a few years later in 1915.

References

  1. 1 2 "Spectacular tricable gondola to the Eiger Glacier". Doppelmayr. Retrieved 15 July 2022.
  2. ↑ "spectacular atria ride to the eige glacier in Switzerland". CWA. Archived from the original on 18 July 2022. Retrieved 15 July 2022.
  3. ↑ "Remarkable Eiger Express is Fully Open After Nearly £400m Spend". inthesnow.com. 8 December 2020. Retrieved 15 July 2022.
  4. ↑ "Where Is Eiger Express? Here Is an Overview". Touring Switzerland. 6 October 2021. Retrieved 15 July 2022.
  5. ↑ "Eiger Express" (PDF). ltw.at. Retrieved 15 July 2022.
  6. ↑ "The V-cableway Project". Jungfraubahn AG. Archived from the original on 8 April 2022. Retrieved 3 July 2018.
  7. 1 2 "V Cableway Project". jungfrau.ch. Retrieved 15 July 2022.
  8. ↑ "Wärgistaler erteilen Eiger-Express grünes Licht" (in German). Jungfrau Zeitung. 21 October 2015. Retrieved 15 July 2022.
  9. ↑ "Grindelwald sendet das erhoffte Signal aus" (in German). Jungfrau Zeitung. 25 October 2014. Retrieved 15 July 2022.
  10. ↑ "Jungfrau V-bahn railway project gets green light overcoming opposition". theskiguru.com. 5 June 2018. Retrieved 15 July 2022.
  11. ↑ "IT'S ALL IN THE TIMING…". skiandboardonline.co.uk. Retrieved 15 July 2022.
  12. ↑ "Der Schneewall war ein Erpressungsversuch" (in German). 20minuten. 27 December 2017. Retrieved 15 July 2022.
  13. ↑ "Eagles fly in to take part in the official opening of the Eiger Express". skier and snowboarder. 8 December 2020. Retrieved 15 July 2022.
  14. ↑ "Eiger Express (YOC 2020)". skiresort.info. Retrieved 15 July 2022.
  15. ↑ "The Swiss mountain that's changing forever". National Geographic. December 2020. Archived from the original on March 25, 2021. Retrieved 15 July 2022.
  16. ↑ "Eiger Express spart bis zu 47 Minuten Reisezeit" (in French). htr.ch. Retrieved 15 July 2022.
  17. ↑ "The New Ultra-Modern Eiger Express to the Spectacular Jungfraujoch". europeupclose.com. 5 July 2022. Retrieved 15 July 2022.
  18. ↑ "Eiger Express: Experience a gondola ride with panoramic views". interlaken.ch. Retrieved 15 July 2022.
  19. ↑ "Eiger Express Cable Car from Grindelwald to Eigergletscher and Jungfraujoch". European Traveller. 2 January 2022. Retrieved 15 July 2022.
  20. ↑ "EIGERGLETSCHER BISTRO". jungfrau.ch. Retrieved 15 July 2022.
  21. ↑ "EIGER GLACIER RAILWAY STATION". jungfrau.ch. Retrieved 15 July 2022.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.