The metre gauge Zugspitzebahn

Germany - 2011

The Bayerischen Zugspitzebahn (BZB) is a metre gauge line running from Garmisch-Partenkirchen to the Zugspitze, the highest mountain in Germany. The railway was built between 1928 and 1930 and opened in three stages. The railway includes a tunnel in the mountain section with some realignment taking place in 1987 with the opening of a new summit station which lies at a height of 2,588 metres (8,491 ft). Trains climb from 705 metres at Garmisch to Grainau where the depot can be found. This section is adhesion worked. From Grainau the line uses the Riggenbach rack system. In former days there would be a change of engine in Grainau between the valley loco and the mountain loco. Today all the railcars are rack equipped.

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