| Wuppertal in Nordrhein-Westfalen, Germany, has one | | | | The stations are an interesting mix of old and new |
| unique attraction, its hanging railway. While most cities | | | | styles. It is well worth stopping at many of the stations |
| preferred the underground solution for their public | | | | and have a look at the building before continuing the |
| transports, Wuppertal decided to use an idea by | | | | journey. It is only a few minutes between the trains. |
| Eugen Langen. | | | | The suspension railway has been very safe. Only one |
| Eugen Langen had designed a hanging railway in | | | | fatal accident has happened, despite that the line has |
| Dresden, although it was more of a funicular railway. | | | | been operating for more than a hundred years. In 1999, |
| The length of the line was only 274 metres. Langen | | | | five people were killed when a train plunged into the |
| died in 1895 so he never saw his famous railway | | | | Wupper river. Unfortunately, it was an unnecessary |
| himself. The Hanging Railway in Wuppertal started | | | | accident. During weekend maintenance work, a piece |
| operating in 1901. The track was extended in 1903, | | | | of metal was forgotten on the track and the first train |
| creating the route that is still used today. | | | | on Monday morning hit the piece of metal and plunged |
| In German the railway is called Schwebebahn, which | | | | into the river. |
| translates to floating railway but in English it is generally | | | | Wuppertal is easy to reach, both by car and by train, |
| called the hanging railway or the suspension railway. | | | | from Cologne, Düsseldorf and the Ruhr-region. It is |
| The official German name is Einschienige Hangebahn | | | | roughly a thirty minute train ride from all three places. |
| System Eugen Langen. Given that the length of the | | | | The Hanging Railway stops at the main railway station, |
| track is just 13,3 kilometres (8,3 miles) it is more of a | | | | Hauptbahnhof in German. Tickets can be bought from |
| tram than a railway. | | | | machines at every station. A daily ticket is good value |
| Most of the track runs above the Wupper river. The 3 | | | | for your money. |
| kilometre stretch between Wohlwinkel and Sonnborner | | | | Wuppertal was one of the first German towns to |
| Strasse is called the overland track, which runs above | | | | become industrialised. In the early 19th century |
| the streets. The overland part of the track has a | | | | Wuppertal was a prosperous town, larger than |
| completely different design of the support pylons | | | | Cologne. But once the industrialisation really got |
| compared to the main part of the track that runs | | | | underway in Germany, Wuppertal could not keep up |
| above the Wupper river. | | | | with its neighbours. Thanks to its unique railway, |
| People that are expecting a roller coaster ride will be | | | | Wuppertal receives a small but steady stream of |
| disappointed. The trains swing slightly but not much, | | | | visitors. |
| you soon get used to it. The trains run just 8 metres | | | | All in all, the Hanging Railway is more of a unique |
| (27 ft) above the streets and 10 to 12 metres (33-40 | | | | experience rather than an exciting railway journey. |
| ft) above the Wupper river so do not expect any | | | | Well worth trying if you are in the neighbourhood. |
| panoramic views from the trains. Also, calling Wupper | | | | Although Wuppertal has some other attractions, most |
| a river is a little bit of exaggeration, it is more of a | | | | tourists go to Wuppertal just for the Schwebebahn. |
| stream. | | | | |