MLHF: 6. The Barmer Bergbahn - Historic Tram in Wuppertal (1894-1959)
YouTube name: ML HISTORIC FILM (MLHF).
Date: - .
City: Wuppertal (Germany).
The video shows
Wuppertaler Stadtwerke (WSW)
Closed
Wuppertal Barmer Bergbahn: Am Clef - Toelleturm
Closed
Description
As early as 1887, Barmen entrepreneurs met to make plans for a railway for the southern heights of their town. The men showed great courage and foresight when they commissioned the first plans to build a railway from Barmen Mitte to the Toelleturm and a connecting line to Ronsdorf that same year. It was quickly recognized that an electric rack railway was the best option among all ideas. In May 1892, construction began on the 1,630-meter-long route, which featured a 170-meter elevation change. The route was closed on July 4, 1959, despite protests from residents.
Material that is over 50 years old takes you back to the time of narrow film and is an impressive reminder of this unique route in Barmen.
As early as 1887, entrepreneurs in Barmen gathered to plan a railway to the southern heights of their town. Men like Geheimrad Molineus and Adolf Vorwerk stood out with great courage and significant achievements when, in the same year, they commissioned the first plans to build a railway from Ben Mitte to the Tölleturm, along with a connecting line to Ronsdorf. It quickly became clear that, because of the steep gradient, an electric rack railway was the best solution. Siemens and Halzke introduced electric drive to the technically eager Barmen visionaries in 1890. This company was soon given the contract to build an electric, double-track, meter-gauge railway, following the Rhenish system. Construction began in May 1892 on the 1,630-meter-long line, and that same year, the Barmmer Bergbahn AG was founded. To reach the highest point in Barmen, the Tölleturm, a 170-meter elevation change had to be crossed. The route mostly followed a downhill path with an 18.5% gradient. The steepest part was right at the start of the route. After crossing the Bergischmark Railway, vehicles were transferred at the terminal stations using transfer platforms. The Bammer Bergbahn started operations on April 16, 1894. In the winter of 1958/59, the railway proved its ability to operate in ice and snow for the last time. The following summer, on July 4, 1959, Germany's oldest electric rack railway closed after 65 years of safe operation, despite many protests. The mountain railway's own power station was located in the vault beneath the mountain station on Kleferstrasse. The original steam dynamos, each with 250 hp, were soon replaced by larger machines. A sizable power station was built to supply energy to both the railway lines and nearby industries.
Stops
Am Clef → Toelleturm Bergbahnhof.
