Polybahn

Polybahn
Overview
Other name(s)Zürichbergbahn; Seilbahn Limmatquai–Hochschulen
StatusIn operation
OwnerUBS-Polybahn AG (since 1998); SBG-Polybahn AG (1976–1998, name change); Zürichbergbahn-Gesellschaft (1889–1976)
LocaleCity of Zürich, Switzerland
Termini
Stations2
Websitepolybahn.ch
Service
TypeFunicular
Route number2700
Operator(s)Verkehrsbetriebe Zürich
Rolling stock2 for 50 passengers each
History
Opened8 January 1889; 135 years ago (1889-01-08)
Single-track1996
Technical
Track length176 metres (577 ft)
Number of tracks1 with passing loop
Rack system- (before 1996: Abt)
Track gauge955 mm (3 ft 1+19⁄32 in)[1]
Electrification1897 (water counterbalancing before)
Operating speed2.5 metres per second (8.2 ft/s)
Highest elevation450 m (1,480 ft)
Maximum incline26% (avg. 23%)
Entrance to the lower station of the Polybahn at the Central square
Car leaving the lower station across the viaduct over Seilergraben
The passing loop above the viaduct
Car approaching upper station
Entrance to the upper station
Share of the Zürichbergbahn-Gesellschaft, issued 15. February 1888

The Polybahn, also known as the UBS Polybahn, is a funicular railway in the city of Zürich, Switzerland. The line links the Central square with the terrace by the main building of ETH Zürich, which was formerly called Eidgenössisches Polytechnikum, and from which the railway derives its name. Previous names for the line include the SBG Polybahn and the Zürichbergbahn. The line is owned by the banking group UBS AG, and operated on their behalf by the municipal transport operator Verkehrsbetriebe Zürich.[2][3][4][5]

The Polybahn is one of two funiculars within the city of Zürich, the other being the Rigiblick funicular in the city's northern suburbs. Additionally, the city's Dolderbahn rack railway was originally a funicular, until its conversion to rack working in the 1970s.

  1. ^ "Zurich's Urban Funiculars: The Polybahn and Rigiblick Funicular". The Gondola Project. 13 January 2013. Archived from the original on 5 May 2014. Retrieved 5 May 2014.
  2. ^ "UBS Polybahn" (in German). VBZ. Archived from the original on 15 November 2011. Retrieved 9 August 2011.
  3. ^ "Zürich - Polybahn". Lift-World.info. Archived from the original on 29 September 2011. Retrieved 9 August 2011.
  4. ^ "Polybahn". Funiculars.net. Pantograph.se. Archived from the original on 22 February 2013. Retrieved 9 August 2011.
  5. ^ Eisenbahnatlas Schweiz. Verlag Schweers + Wall GmbH. 2012. p. 65. ISBN 978-3-89494-130-7.