Gornergratbahn
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| Gornergratbahn | |
 Summit station with observatory |
|
| Operation | |
|---|---|
| Owner | BVZ Holding |
| Technical | |
| Line length | 9.339 km (5.803 mi) |
| No. of tracks | Single track 3.79 km (2.355 mi) Double track |
| Track gauge | 1,000 mm (3 ft 33⁄8 in) |
| Electrification | 725 V, 50 Hz, 3-phase, 2 Overhead lines |
| Highest elevation | 3,089 m (10,135 ft) |
| Rack system | Abt |
The Gornergratbahn (GGB) is a 9 km long 1,000 mm (3 ft 33⁄8 in) gauge mountain rack railway, with Abt rack system. It leads from Zermatt, Switzerland (3,089 m/10,130 ft), up to the Gornergrat (3,089 m/10,135 ft). The Gornergrat is a starting point for many hikes, as it lies surrounded by 29 peaks rising above 4,000 m (13,123 ft) in the Alps and several glaciers, including the Gorner Glacier (which is billed as the second longest glacier in the Alps). At the end of the line on Gornergrat, the Matterhorn is visible on a clear day. It is also a popular skiing area.
Work on the railway started in 1896, it opened in August 20, 1898 for summer only operation. Year round operation to the summit began in 1942. The upper terminal was remodelled in 2004. The Gornergratbahn has always been electrified. The entire line is 9,339 m (30,640 ft) in length, including 3,790 m (12,434 ft) of double track, and traverses an altitude difference of 1,469 m (4,820 ft). The railway typically operates two-railcar units that can carry approximately 2,400 people per hour from Zermatt to the mountain summit. The railway is owned by the BVZ Holding and under common management with the Matterhorn-Gotthard-Bahn.
There are several stops on the line:
- Zermatt.
- Findelbach.
- Riffelalp (with a five-star hotel).
- Riffelboden.
- Riffelberg (with a three-star hotel).
- Rotenboden.
- Gornergrat (with a three-star hotel and observatory).
The railway is notable for using three-phase electric power for the supply, requiring the use of two overhead lines, with the track work forming the third conductor.
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Coordinates: 46°01′25″N 7°44′59″E / 46.02361°N 7.74972°E
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