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There’s a mountain overlooking Interlaken called Schynige Platte, and naturally the enterprising Swiss decided to build a railway to the top. The line cost a staggering 3.5 million Swiss Francs and was opened in 1893. The rolling stock is all original, with the exception of the engines which were replaced in 1914 when the line was electrified. 

The line begins at Wilderswil and the little engines push the trains up the mountain. Progress is slow, but relentless. 

The station at the top is very quaint.

At the summit of the mountain is a huge bowl with a network of footpaths. 

Scary viewpoint down to lake Thun almost a mile below us.

And lake Brienz and Interlaken. 

View back towards Wengen from the station. The mountain in the foreground is Männlichen. 

As the crow flies we’re only a couple of miles from Wengen, but the journey back to the valley and up again will take 2 hours.