Our next event at the Kinomathek in Berne is already just around the corner on 28 November 2026, and I’ve been looking for a topic with a connection to Berne. I settled on the line to Schwarzenburg.
This standard-gauge, single-track branch line, around 20 kilometres long, was opened in 1907 and electrified in 1920, bringing economic prosperity to the area. Following the merger with the Gürbetalbahn, the GBS (Gürbetal-Berne-Schwarzenburg Railway) became part of the BLS operating group.
Being somewhat off the beaten track, it is probably not visited all that often by railway enthusiasts. Quite unjustly so! It offers a varied landscape and magnificent farmsteads. Today it is integrated into the Berne S-Bahn network, but in the past it was well known amongst railway photographers for its use of older rolling stock…
On my first visit in 1977, the line was still firmly in the hands of the ageing Ce 4/4 locomotives, built between 1920 and 1924, and their platform carriages. With 1,000 hp and a top speed of 65 km/h, they shuttled up the approximately 250-metre climb to Schwarzenburg and back to Berne. The Ce 4/4 316, hauling three platform carriages, leaves the Berne conurbation at Köniz. In the background, the last of the high-rise buildings come into view, forming a stark contrast to the pole-controlled locomotive, which is a good 50 years old. 6 July 1977 Photo: © Edi Meier, Bülach
On 15 April 1982, the sister locomotive Ce 4/4 315 was in service. The consist has changed slightly: the first carriage is a modernised open-platform carriage, which has been fitted with an enclosed entrance area. Behind it comes an original open-platform carriage, and then even a Type I standard carriage has found its way to this branch line. A few kilometres above Köniz, near Moos, large farms form the backdrop instead of high-rise buildings. 15 April 1982 Photo: © Edi Meier, Bülach
The same train, hauled by the Ce 4/4 315, speeds through a pretty hilly landscape with expansive fields and scattered farmsteads just below the terminus at Schwarzenburg 15 April 1982 Photo: © Edi Meier, Bülach
The Ce 4/4 316 has reached Schwarzenburg on 17 June 1977 and is manoeuvring round its train. The engine shed, goods shed and a spacious track layout with parked goods wagons provide a photogenic backdrop. The ten Ce 4/4 locomotives, numbers 308 to 317, were originally put into service as Ce 4/6s and were fitted with a new bogie frame without running axles between 1953 and 1956. The structurally identical locomotives 301 to 307 were not rebuilt, but underwent only minor modifications between 1968 and 1973. 17 June 1977 Photo: © Edi Meier, Bülach
Before we move on from the Ce 4/4s, we would like to show the reinforced evening train. To this end, the Ce 4/4 316 was assisted by a pushing railcar from the Be 4/4 761–763 series to haul its load of four platform carriages and a DZ2 luggage/postal carriage up to Schwarzenburg. Gasel, 17 June 1977. Photo: © Edi Meier, Bülach
The BN Be 4/4 761 does not have to exert itself much on the downhill stretch with its minimal load of a single DZ2… The photograph was taken on the approach to Schwarzenburg. Two of these railcars were built for the BN in 1953, and number 763 was built for the GBS in 1956. Their appearance is reminiscent of the 82 RBe 4/4s of the SBB, which began operating on the lines starting in 1959. 15 April 1982 Photo: © Edi Meier, Bülach
The BDZe 2/6 711, commissioned in 1938 by the BSB (Berne–Schwarzenburg Railway) from SIG and SAAS, was a one-off. Although it was procured at the same time as the ABDZe 4/6 731, 736 and 737, it was shorter, had no first-class compartment, but did have a luggage and a post compartment, and only one powered bogie, giving it only half the power of the related vehicles. Following an accident in 1972, it was fitted with a new, modern driver’s cab on the side of the luggage compartment. The line’s flagship vehicle is pictured here in Schwarzenburg. Visible in the background is the Ed ¾ 51, also procured for this line, which has since left its place as a museum exhibit and is now delighting the public in working order at the DBB. 6 July 1977 Photo: © Edi Meier, Bülach
The BDZe 2/6 711 on its uphill journey to Schwarzenburg, with the modern driver’s cab end at the front. The separate side doors for post and luggage are clearly visible. Schwarzenburg, 6 July 1977 Photo: © Edi Meier, Bülach
In later years, the more powerful ABDZe 4/8 railcars from neighbouring railways – also procured in 1938 – were also put into service. The BLS ABDZe 4/8 731 pictured here was on display at the National Exhibition in Zurich in 1939. Just a few kilometres outside Köniz, it has left the high-rise buildings behind and is travelling through a hilly agricultural area. 15 April 1982 Photo: © Edi Meier, Bülach
The BN ABDZe 4/8 736 has reached its terminus at Schwarzenburg and is posing for the photographer beneath the striking truss girder of the catenary. First-class passengers had their own toilet at their disposal. After all, one couldn’t very well make the well-paying passengers squeeze through the post and luggage compartment at the rear. To the left of the toilet window, the postbox is visible, which used to be fitted to every mail coach. This also makes it clear which side door was for the post and which was for the rest of the luggage… 15 April 1982 Photo: © Edi Meier, Bülach
On 15 April 1982, BLS ABDZe 4/4 731 crossed paths in Mittelhäusern with its sister vehicle, BN ABDZe 4/4 736. The latter was hauling the two-axle post and luggage van DZ2 50 63 94 – 03 051 – 0 up to Schwarzenburg. Apparently, the need for space was greater than what the compartments in the railcar could offer… The wooden station building with its gravel ramp and the tall trees form the backdrop to this picturesque branch line. Mittelhäusern, 15 April 1982. Photo: © Edi Meier, Bülach
Der BN ABDZe 4/4 736 mit dem DZ2 50 63 94 – 03 051 – 0 knapp unter Schwarzenburg. Grosse Bauernhäuser säumen die Strecke und zeugen von einem gewissen Reichtum. 15.04.1982 Foto: © Edi Meier, Bülach
The BN ABDZe 4/4 736 has reached Schwarzenburg and is shunting its DZ2 towards a platform wagon. The numerous sleeper crossings leading to the low-level platform, the catenary support structure and, in the background, the locomotive depot form a harmonious backdrop. Schwarzenburg, 15 April 1982. Photo: © Edi Meier, Bülach
On 16 May 1982, the 75th anniversary of the railway line to Schwarzenburg was celebrated. Various rolling stock was put into service that was not normally seen on the line. One such example was the ‘Blue Arrow’ ABDe 4/8 746 + Bt 952, photographed near Schwarzenburg. Like its sister trains 747 and 748, this ‘Blue Arrow’ dates from 1954 and 1955. From 1970 onwards, the driver’s cab at the end of the second-class compartment was removed and a standard carriage gangway was fitted. Since then, it has always operated with a control car, thereby increasing passenger capacity. 16 May 1982 Photo: © Edi Meier, Bülach
The BLS Group’s latest generation of rolling stock at the time, the RBDe 4/4 commuter trains, were not operating on the branch line to Schwarzenburg at that time. On the anniversary day, there was an exception with the virtually brand-new RBDe 4/4 725, three matching intermediate carriages (which never usually happened) and a control car. The stylish formation, flanked by flowering meadows just below Schwarzenburg, 16 May 1982. Photo: © Edi Meier, Bülach
Alongside modern trains, a historic train comprising the Ce 4/6 307 and five Bi platform carriages was also sent on its way on the anniversary day. Like the Ce 4/4 seen at the very beginning, the Ce 4/6 307 comes from the same series of locomotives. However, they were never modified, and locomotive 307 was largely restored to its original condition prior to its arrival at the Swiss Museum of Transport. In 1982, it temporarily left the museum to undertake a few special journeys. Here it is captured on camera during the uphill journey just below Schwarzenburg. 16 May 1982 Photo: © Edi Meier, Bülach
On the return journey that evening, a layer of cloud had rolled in and it became too gloomy for slide film. That is why this photograph appears in black and white. The ‘Dekretsmühle’ Ce 4/6 307 with five Bi carriages near Moos, 16 May 1982. Photo: © Edi Meier, Bülach
During the day, the Ce 4/6 307 was parked in Schwarzenburg. Here, to round off, is a portrait shot of this magnificent veteran. The locomotive still exists, but is unfortunately no longer considered roadworthy. Schwarzenburg, 16 May 1982. Photo: © Edi Meier, Bülach
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