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The Urbanist
@UrbanistOrg
The Uetliberg line in Zurich is Europe’s highest grade standard gauge adhesion railway, going from 1,299ft to 2,667ft in 6.4mi. It maxes out at 7.9% as it reaches the top of a local mountain. (Lisbon has the steepest adhesion railway line — a tramway — at 13.8%.) #ZurichUrbanism
Image of the train
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The Urbanist
@UrbanistOrg
The Uetliberg line is optimized to have two services. A shuttle line from Zurich HB to Zurich Tremli on weekdays and a full line from Zurich HB to Uetliberg all days of the week. This leads to an interesting service pattern. #ZurichUrbanism
From Wikipedia: “The passenger services on the line now forms part of the Zürich S-Bahn, branded as the S10. Standard Zürcher Verkehrsverbund (ZVV) zonal fare tariffs apply to the line. On working days, trains run every 30 minutes from Hauptbahnhof to Uetliberg, with a more frequent shuttle service between Hauptbahnhof and Triemli. On Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays, trains run the full length of the line every 20 minutes. A journey over the full length of the line takes 20 minutes.”
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The Urbanist
@UrbanistOrg
On weekdays, this arrangement ensures all stations from Zurich to Zurich Triemli get service every 10 minutes and all stations from Zurich Triemli to Uetliberg get service every 30 minutes. On weekends, all stations along the line get service every 20 minutes. #ZurichUrbanism
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The Urbanist
@UrbanistOrg
The Uetliberg line is optimized to have two services. A shuttle line from Zurich HB to Zurich Tremli on weekdays and a full line from Zurich HB to Uetliberg all days of the week. This leads to an interesting service pattern. #ZurichUrbanism
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From Wikipedia: “The passenger services on the line now forms part of the Zürich S-Bahn, branded as the S10. Standard Zürcher Verkehrsverbund (ZVV) zonal fare tariffs apply to the line. On working days, trains run every 30 minutes from Hauptbahnhof to Uetliberg, with a more frequent shuttle service between Hauptbahnhof and Triemli. On Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays, trains run the full length of the line every 20 minutes. A journey over the full length of the line takes 20 minutes.”
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The Urbanist
@UrbanistOrg
Though rare in the US, the Swiss widely employ use of rack railways for intercity rail and short lines. Rack railways come in a variety forms to provide traction on steeper inclines (usually over 10% grade). Speeds on them differ by circumstance, but can be quick. #SwissUrbanism
Rack railway in Zermatt
Rack railway near in the Furka Pass
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The Urbanist
@UrbanistOrg
Trains on rack railways have an extra “wheel” that grips the extra tooth rail inlaid in a trackbed. Rack rails can be intermittent being provided only when necessary on a rail corridor for traction and reverting to standard track otherwise, a common Swiss practice. #SwissUrbanism
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The Urbanist
@UrbanistOrg
Though rare in the US, the Swiss widely employ use of rack railways for intercity rail and short lines. Rack railways come in a variety forms to provide traction on steeper inclines (usually over 10% grade). Speeds on them differ by circumstance, but can be quick. #SwissUrbanism
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Rack railway in Zermatt
Rack railway near in the Furka Pass
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