Vinifuni Ligerz–Prêles

Vinifuni Ligerz-Prêles
car at intermediary station Festi/Château, Lake Biel in background, vineyard in the foreground (2021)
Overview
Other name(s)Chemin de fer funiculaire Gléresse-Montagne de Diesse; Ligerz-Tessenberg-Bahn; Standseilbahn Ligerz-Prêles; Seilbahn Ligerz-Prêles (Tessenberg)
StatusIn operation
OwnerAare Seeland mobil AG (since 2003); Chemin de fer funiculaire Gléresse-Montagne de Diesse (1912–1997), Ligerz-Tessenberg-Bahn AG (LTB) (1997–2003)
LocaleCanton of Bern, Switzerland
Termini
  • "Ligerz (Talstation)" at Bahnhofplatz / Dorfgasse 1
  • "Prêles" at Route de la Neuveville 1
Stations4 (including "Pilgerweg", "Festi/Château")
Service
TypeFunicular (since 2004: lift)
Route number2016
Operator(s)Aare Seeland mobil AG (short: asm)
Rolling stock1 for 50 passengers (since 2004); 2 for 60 each (1949–2004), 2 for 40 each (1912–1949)
History
Opened8 June 1912 (1912-06-08)
Concession1906
Single-car, lift18 May 2004 (2004-05-18)
Technical
Line length1,198 m (3,930 ft)
Number of tracks1
Track gauge1,000 mm (3 ft 3+38 in)
Electrificationfrom opening
Operating speed5.0 metres per second (16 ft/s)
Highest elevation820 m (2,690 ft)
Maximum incline40%

Vinifuni Ligerz–Prêles is a funicular above Lake Biel in the Canton of Bern, Switzerland. The line leads from Ligerz/Gléresse at 437 m (1,434 ft) to Prêles at 820 m (2,690 ft) on Tessenberg, a plateau part of the Jura range. The line has a length of 1,198 m (3,930 ft) with a difference of elevation of 383 m (1,257 ft) and a maximum incline of 40%. The single track funicular has had only one car since 2004, when the passing loop and the second car were removed. Two intermediate stations are Pilgerweg at 487 m (1,598 ft) and Festi/Château at 577 m (1,893 ft). The lower station is next to Ligerz railway station and a landing stage for Lake Biel passenger ships.

The line opened in 1910 after the Swiss Federal Assembly granted a concession in 1906.

The funicular is owned and operated by Aare Seeland mobil AG since 2003. The railway company had absorbed Ligerz-Tessenberg-Bahn AG (LTB), founded in 1910 and initially named Chemin de fer funiculaire Gléresse-Montagne de Diesse.