Forchbahn (FB)

Operational

City: Zürich (Switzerland).
Total route length: 16.7 km (10.4 miles).

Track gauge: 1000 mm (metre gauge).
Opened: November 27, 1912.

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Trams and light rails in Switzerland

Select a city: Altdorf, Altstätten, Basel, Berne, Biel/Bienne, Blonay, Geneva, Lausanne, Lucerne, Lugano, Neuchâtel, Schaffhausen, St. Gallen, and Zürich.

Tram lines in operation

Zürich museum line F
Operational

Zürich regional line S18: Bahnhof Stadelhofen - Esslingen
Operational

Forchbahn (FB) stops

Bahnhof Stadelhofen, Egg, Esslingen, and Forch.

View the route map in high resolution. See the official route map.

Current trams in operation

Museum tram: 10.

Railcar: 6, 10, 23-24, 56, 203.

Former trams in operation

Museum tram: 10.

Railcar: 6, 10, 16.

Sidecar: 119.

Tram-Museum Zürich (TMZ)
Open regularly

Sidecar: 119.

Operation times

See the official operation times.

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Photos from Forchbahn (FB)

2:37

Zurich tram (2012)With many lines and a persistent schedule, e.g., on one route there are five lines, each of which runs every 10 minutes on a Sunday. The following tram series are represented in the film: Be 4/6 Tram 2000 and Be 5/6 Cobra. At the end, there is the "Forchbahn" with three railcars of the Schindler/SIG Be 4/4 series, which runs as an S-Bahn.By leeseisenbahnen - February 25, 2012.

Postcard: Zürich railcar 10 at Forch (1987)Forchbahn nostalgic railcar BDe 4/4 No. 10 (built in 1948, renovated in 1985) with trailers B 119 + 120 on January 29, 1987, on the Forchbahn. 3036 Special trips with the Forchbahn: For events with charm and flair... to really get your party going! Information: Forchbahn, Phone 01 / 918 01 08By Ernst B. Leutwiler Verlag, Henrik Boye - January 29, 1987.

Postcard: Zürich railcar 6 on Gessnerallee (1981)Forchbahn Be 2/3 6 (SWS/MFO/SLM 1913/31) + B 119 (1950) ex TL waiting for a tour group in Zurich: Gessnerallee, May 29, 1981 3002By Ernst B. Leutwiler Verlag, Henrik Boye - May 29, 1981.

Zürich regional line 18S with railcar 56 at Balgrist (2005)By Henrik Boye.
October 18, 2005.

Postcard: Zürich regional line S18 with railcar 203 at Egg (1981)Forchbahn "Camel" with new control car: Bt 203 (SWS/BBC 1981) + Be 8/8 23-24 (SWS/SWP/BBC 1976) in Egg on May 23, 1981 3004By Ernst B. Leutwiler Verlag, Henrik Boye - May 23, 1981.

Zürich regional line 18S at Bahnhof Stadelhofen (2005)By Henrik Boye.
October 18, 2005.

Postcard: Zürich railcar 16 at Forch (1987)Thomas Fischer, 75 years old, Forch Railway In 1836, the post office established a line over the Forch River to connect the population of the Zurich Oberland with the city. Several projects sought to develop the area by rail until 1905, when bus service began with the legendary Martini buses from Egg to Zurich. However, by 1912, this task was already taken over by the tram, which on weekdays primarily transported mail and agricultural goods such as milk, grain, fruit, or Etna a cow to the city, and on Sundays, transported holidaymakers from Zurich to the Forch River. This has long since evolved into an efficient suburban railway, which, on a quarterly student schedule, quickly transports the many commuters and schoolchildren through the tunnel (and on its own track) to the outlying communities, while goods are delivered by road directly to the customer as a "cargo destination." This, about the rolling stock, the future prospects, a few anecdotes, and much more: everything can be read in this detailed and beautifully designed commemorative publication. 96 pages with 130 mostly unpublished photos, maps, and documents, 25 of which are in color. ISBN 3 906681 04 1. Price: only CHF 44.80 Three historical map series are also available for CHF 12 each: Nos. 43 and 49 (black and white, real photos) and 140 (full color). Special offer, while stocks last: Commemorative publication and series 140 together for only CHF 49.90 -------------------------- The following are also available in the same series (CHF 39.80 per volume): 1) R. Rütimann, Bellinzona - Mesocco Railway; 2) R. Rütimann, Bremgarten - Dietikon Railway On January 29, 1987, the following trains were stationed at Forch station: FB Xe 4/4 9, BDe 4/4 16 + Bt 107, BDe 4/4 10 + B 119 + 120, Bt 203 with a new train: shuttle train 3061 at the rearBy Ernst B. Leutwiler Verlag, Henrik Boye - January 29, 1987.

Zürich regional line 18S at Rehalp (2005)Where city tram (VBZ), line 11 terminates.By Henrik Boye - October 18, 2005.

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Last updated: November 9, 2025.