45 years ago, the cogwheel railways to Wengernalp and Schynige Platte were relatively short of rolling stock. It was a perfect fit that the Schynige Platte only operated in summer, while the Wengernalp Railway had a peak season in winter and therefore the greatest demand for rolling stock. And as both railways have the same track width of 800 mm and the same cogwheel system, the vehicles were compatible. It therefore made sense to transfer vehicles to the Schynige Platte in summer and back to Wengen in winter. Unfortunately, the two railways are separated by the metre-gauge line of the Berner Oberland Bahnen BOB.
The transfer of the vehicles from one railway to the other was of course a highlight for every railway photographer…
Did you notice: today, the day this railway story was published, it was exactly 45 years ago that these photos were taken…
The start was early in the morning of 24 April 1979 in Lauterbrunnen. Two riveted beams are slid under the He 21 locomotive. Four manual lifting spindles are used to raise the locomotive supported on the frame. To the right is the BOB locomotive HGe 3/3 29 with the daily goods train. The green locomotive He 62 is visible on the left and another one is hidden by the platform roof. March 24, 1979 Photo: Edi Meier, BülachSeveral operations later, the locomotive and its transport frame are set down on a four-axle SBB (Brünig Railway) carrier truck. The BOB HGe 3/3 29 is already at the head of the train and the sister locomotive HGe 3/3 22 followed by the Ek 706 at the end of the train. Lauterbrunnen March 24, 1979 Photo: Edi Meier, Bülach The transfering train with the BOB HGe 3/3 29, the WAB He 21 on the SBB carrier truck, the HGe 3/3 22 and the Ek 706 below Lauterbrunnen. In the foreground the Weisse Lütschine. Note also the wooden masts with jibs. March 24, 1979 Photo: Edi Meier, BülachThere are no more rack sections below Zweilütschinen. Therefore, the HGe 3/3 22 and the Ek 706 were uncoupled and put away, while the HGe 3/3 29 takes the He 21 on its own to Wilderswil. March 24, 1979 Photo: Edi Meier, BülachWilderswil, the starting point of the railway to Schynige Platte is reached. Now the manual lifting jacks are used again. On the right next to the carrier truck you can see the cross rails on which the locomotive will later be moved. Compared to today, the depot is very small and modest. Wilderswil 24.04.1979 Photo: Edi Meier,BülachThe locomotive He 17, which was transferred on the same day, is raised. The HGe 3/3 29 is just pulling away the carrier truck. Wilderswil March 24, 1979 Photo: Edi Meier, BülachThe He 15, which has also been transferred, hovers above the tracks after the carrier truck has been removed. Now the cross rails are pushed under the locomotive. The He 15 is then lowered onto the cross rails and pushed on wheels to the Schynige Platte railway. Wilderswil March 24, 1979 Photo: Edi Meier, BülachTogether with the He 15, the two passenger cars B 25 and 26 were also brought to Wilderswil on the BOB HGe 3/3 29. Four-axle flat trucks from the BOB were used for the lighter coaches. Wilderswil March 24, 1979 Photo: Edi Meier, Bülach Using car B 30 as an example, here are the steps for the transverse shift. Car B 30 is lifted off the flat truck. Wilderswil 26.4.1984 Photo: Edi Meier, BülachAfter the car has been raised high enough, the transport truck is removed. Wilderswil March 24, 1979 Photo: Edi Meier, BülachNow the cross rails are laid under the raised B 30 car. Wilderswil March 24, 1979 Photo: Edi Meier, BülachThe car is lowered onto the cross rails. It is moved across the railway line on rollers using muscle power. Wilderswil March 24, 1979 Photo: Edi Meier, BülachDone: the B 30 stands on its own wheels on the track of the Schynige Platte railway. Wilderswil March 24, 1979 Photo: Edi Meier, Bülach
