A Railway to the Sky: The Highest Train Station in Europe

Train travel has a unique charm, especially when it takes you through breathtaking landscapes. One particular route offers a fairytale journey—leading passengers to the highest railway station in Europe.

Switzerland is known for its scenic railways, with the Bernina Express offering stunning panoramic views of the Alps. But another remarkable Swiss railway takes travelers to the Jungfraujoch station, sitting at 3,454 meters above sea level. Often called the Top of Europe, it remains an engineering marvel and a testament to Swiss railway expertise.

Adolf Guyer-Zeller: The Visionary Behind the Highest Railway Station

The Jungfraujoch railway station was built following the vision of industrialist Adolf Guyer-Zeller, who, according to ERIH, aimed to make the Alpine peaks more accessible to the public. Construction of the Jungfraubahn railway began at the end of the 19th century, originally planned to take 12 years. However, due to harsh weather conditions, the project extended to 16 years. Unfortunately, Guyer-Zeller passed away in 1899, never seeing his dream realized. Despite the enormous financial costs, he believed the investment would pay off—and he was right.

How to Reach the Highest Train Station in Europe

According to iDnes.cz, the journey begins at Interlaken Ost, located 657 meters above sea level.

• The first leg is operated by Berner Oberland Bahn, a blue-and-yellow train running on standard-gauge tracks, reaching Lauterbrunnen in 30 minutes.
• Next, passengers transfer to Wengernalpbahn, a narrow-gauge railway (800mm), heading toward Kleine Scheidegg. This stretch offers breathtaking views of waterfalls and the Jungfrau, Mönch, and Eiger peaks.
• The final segment is aboard the red-and-yellow Jungfraubahn, a cogwheel train departing from 2,061 meters. It climbs 1,400 meters in elevation and travels through a 10-kilometer tunnel carved into the Eiger and Mönch mountains, before arriving at Jungfraujoch.

Switzerland takes great pride in this railway. In fact, it was officially opened on August 8, 1912, to celebrate Swiss National Day. Many Swiss believe that visiting Jungfraujoch is a must-do at least once in a lifetime. Today, it remains a top tourist attraction, carefully maintained for visitors who can explore restaurants, an ice palace, and a variety of exhibitions featuring ice sculptures and interactive displays.

La estación Jungfraujoch, del ferrocarril Jungfraubahn, con una altitud 3.454 metros, es la estación de tren más alta de Europa.
Nota en 1a persona: Este CM de ACTREN ya estuvo allí hace 20 años, de niño, y conservo el recuerdo.
Impresionante

📹 Cristian Delgado, Instagram pic.twitter.com/7cQu8QLxWM

— Actren Trenes / Mantenimiento (@ACTREN_MF) August 20, 2023

Fascinating Facts About the Highest Train Station in Europe

A marvel of Swiss engineering, the Jungfraujoch railway has many unique features:

• Alpine Conservation: The Swiss Alps are a protected area, and Guyer-Zeller was required to donate 100,000 francs to the Jungfraujoch observatory in exchange for permission to build the railway.
• Self-Powered Trains: From the start, the railway was fully electrified. In a remarkable innovation, every fourth train operates on electricity generated by the three preceding it.
• Scenic Viewing Points: The railway features two viewing stations along the route, allowing passengers to enjoy panoramic Alpine views before reaching the final destination.

With its breathtaking landscapes and groundbreaking engineering, Jungfraujoch remains a must-visit location, offering travelers an unforgettable journey to the roof of Europe.

Source: RAILTARGET; iDnes.cz; ERIH