Reichenbach Funicular
The Reichenbachfall railway was built in 1899 to plans by Franz Josef Bucher from Obwalden. The financier of the society recognised that the gorge formed over millennia by nature would be an attraction for tourists, who would want to see the waterfall up close.
Elias Flotron, engineer from Meiringen, applied for a federal concession for the construction an operation of the 714 metre railway line. The railway climbs 244 meters and takes 7 minutes. It is driven electrically and there is a crossing point for up and downhill driving, 24 persons per carriage.
The ironworks from Roll'schen was entrusted with the construction. In 1918, the railway was sold to Elektrowerke Reichenbach AG in Meiringen. In 1926 another power station was built and the railway also served the operation and maintenance of this facility. With the purchase of a new engine in 1931 the train experienced a technical improvement and in 1957 the chief engineer was replaced by automation. In 1976 the railway licence was renewed until 2026.
In just 7 minutres the legendary Reichebach Funicular ascends to the place where Sherlock Holmes supposedly met his end.
«The Game is On»
An overture to the naturel spectacle of the Reichenbach Falls and the fight between Sherlock Holmes and Professor Moriarty connected for all time with it.
An eventful interplay of the Sherlock novels and the Sherlock Moments in the Haslital.
Actually there are three waterfalls where the Reichenbach falls to its confluence with the Aare valley. The most striking and world famous is the highest of the three. It is approximately 120 meters and is illuminated at night. Spray and mist are widely visible with high water or wind.
Already in 1899, a funicular railway was built u to this unique attraction.
From the mountain station, a footpath continues. From there you have recurring views of the spectacle from platforms.
