A popular European city is home to a unique upside-down railway that looks futuristic, but was actually built more than 100 years ago.
The Wuppertal Schwebebahn, also known as the Wuppertal Suspension Railway, is an iconic monorail transit system in Wuppertal, Germany. The only other one of its kind in the world is in Japan.
It opened in 1901 and is the world’s oldest electric elevated railway with hanging cars, and it continues to serve as a vital transportation mode in the city.
Unlike conventional trains, the Schwebebahn’s cars hang from a single rail, suspended about 12 metres (40 feet) above the ground.
The line mostly follows the Wupper River, crossing it many times, which adds to its scenic appeal. It covers a distance of 13.3 kilometres (about 8.3 miles) with 20 stations along the route.
It connects the city districts of Oberbarmen and Vohwinkel, transporting thousands of passengers daily.
The Schwebebahn was a marvel of engineering when it was built, designed by Eugen Langen, and it still uses much of the original infrastructure with modern updates. The entire line is recognised as a protected historical monument.
Over the years, the railway has used different generations of cars, from early models with wooden interiors to modern trains designed for safety and efficiency. Despite updates, the vintage look of the original cars has been carefully preserved for special rides.
Although the Schwebebahn has a strong safety record, it has faced occasional incidents, the most notable being the 1999 accident when a train fell into the Wupper River during maintenance, resulting in five fatalities. Safety standards have since been further improved.
The Schwebebahn’s most famous passenger was likely Tuffi, a young elephant who rode it in 1950 as part of a publicity stunt.
Unfortunately, Tuffi broke through the side of the train and fell into the river below but survived the fall, becoming a legendary part of the railway’s history.
Traveling the full length of the Schwebebahn, including stops at all 20 stations, takes around 30 minutes.
For visitors, an unlimited 24-hour access pass is available for £6.08 (approximately $7.70), while single rides cost £2.5.
