WUPPERTAL SUSPENSION RAILWAY
2023
Since I learned about its existence, I have always wanted to go to Wuppertal to capture this iconic mode of transportation, the world's oldest suspension railway, in photos. And of course, to experience a little 'Schwebebahn-ing' in person. Fortunately, this happened a few weeks ago, so I can show you what not to miss if you're heading towards Düsseldorf. It's only 25 minutes from there to reach one of Germany's most exciting rarities.
The suspension railway has been in operation since 1901 and its construction was a technical marvel in terms of engineering science at the time. The line is approximately 13.3 kilometers long, and most of the route consists of steel support structures elevated above the city. This allows the trains to hover above the city, providing passengers with an unusual panorama.
Its history is rich and eventful. One of the most exciting incidents - which is also reflected in souvenirs - occurred in 1950 when a local circus decided to take Tuffi the circus elephant on a promotional campaign on the suspension railway. Since journalists and other passengers were also on board the train, the poor elephant, in its fright, pressed so hard against the car wall that it couldn't bear the load anymore, and Tuffi ended up in the Wupper river below the railway. Fortunately, however, it emerged from the incident unscathed.
The ride on the suspension railway is somewhat like being in a metro car, except here, exciting views come with the ticket.
Wuppertal's pride changes its appearance from time to time, and in some cases, it is decorated with different patterns, designs, or even works of art. This serves as a canvas for the city's artists or the community to express their creativity. After the red, orange, or silver colors, the cars were painted blue this time, and among others, characters from the German animated series "Die Maus," which celebrates its 50th anniversary, greeted from one car to another.
For tourists like myself, the back 2 seats are probably the most tempting, as the single-carriage train is equipped with panoramic windows from floor to ceiling at the rear, allowing undisturbed sightseeing during the journey, except for a few hands holding mobile phones for recording 😀
In addition to being one of the city's most defining landmarks, the suspension railway still plays an important role in the local public transportation system to this day. With its 20 stops and approximately 35-minute travel time, it connects distant points. Moreover, the historic center of the city, Vohwinkel, and the two preceding stops are on the other side of the highway, detached from the rest, but still remain integral and easily accessible parts of the area.
Despite having a bustling industry, Wuppertal is a peaceful little place. For example, the Bayer pharmaceutical company was founded here, which still occupies a vast area along the suspension railway line, providing one of the most exciting sights as we pass by with its huge pipelines.
From the pictures, you can tell that I traveled quite a bit on the suspension railway during the few days I spent in Wuppertal. Fortunately, there is accommodation that provides regional passes for all public transportation except IC trains during the stay, so this part of my journey was hassle-free. The only clouds were those provided by the weather, which was not always kind. There were times when it took three or four trips for the sun to shine on my chosen location, unless it rained or the sky was completely overcast. Despite this, I hope I managed to capture the atmosphere of this great little train. Below, you can see a few more photos from the trip and a short video if you're curious to see the Schwebebahn in motion.
...and the video:
Photographer: Bertalan Soós
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