Oberweißbacher Berg- und Schwarzatalbahn

Funicular

 

An unique funicular in its system and operation

• The  concession for the building was given for a railroad line from  Obstfelderschmiede to Cursdorf. The funicular forms a part of this railroad line. The second section contains the level track from Lichtenhain to Cursdorf.

 

• Travelling on the railroad are  two different carriages, a " passenger vehicle " and a goods stage for the transport of  conventional railway carriages.

 

• The railroad´s carrying capacity is enormous, it can transport trucks of up to 27 t  - together with the goods stage, a total load of approx. 52 t.

 

• The railway track has two sets of “Abtian” points. One in the center of the stretch, where both cars pass, the second at the valley station, in order to lead the passenger vehicle to the platform and the goods stage to the loading platform.

 

• Instead of a goods wagon, a former passenger carriage rides piggy-back on the goods stage, offering good views to passengers.

 

• Due to the fact that rail vehicles of the national railway company used to use the  funicular, this stretch of track was added to the official list of tracks of this company -  track 563.

Because of its special features, as well as  its impressive dimensions and pay loads this stretch of track can truly be called unique!

 

What purpose does it serve?

This funicular connects the railway stretch Rottenbach -  Katzhütte in the Schwarzatal and the railroad Lichtenhain - Cursdorf, which is situated on a high plain. Between these two stretches of railway is a  320 m difference in height and a distance of approx.  1380 m.

After the funicular was opened, it was used to transport mainly goods vehicles as well as passenger traffic between the stations Obstfelderschmiede”(valley station) and “Lichtenhain” (on the high  plain). This track delivered the villages on the high plain, Lichtenhain and Oberweißbach etc. with necessary goods such as coal, building materials and food.  In the “downwards” direction, goods  produced there could be transported to the rest of the world to which these places had been opened up to through the funicular.  An economic upswing in these areas was the result of this transport link.

The way by road is also today still difficult, with numerous curves and hair-pin bends as well as steep climbs.   Catastrophic conditions for economic development during the time of the horse  car and low-powered trucks.Today, all the stretches of track mentioned serve mainly tourism.

Further interesting specifications go to “ technical facts”