Pionierbahn am Lötschberg - 100 Jahre Lötschbergbahn
With the opening of the second Alpine crossing in 1913, which was to be operated electrically in the near future, the canton of Bern fulfilled its wish of being directly connected to Italy. It had secured the support of France for the financing and construction of the Lötschberg line, which was very interested in a connection that would bypass Alsace, which had been conquered by the German Empire in 1871.
In 1918, after the end of the First World War, hard times began. France once again had a direct connection to Basel via the Gotthard to Italy. The BLS tried to increase efficiency with far-sighted technical solutions, such as the Ae 6/8 electric locomotive or the Blue Arrow, and to generate passengers with innovative advertising.
With posters, brochures, bookable slide shows and even a feature film, the BLS pointed out the beauty of the landscape that could be reached with it. Despite this, the BLS had to be financially rehabilitated several times, also due to the economic crisis. After the Second World War, the car transport service from Kandersteg to Goppenstein developed into an important mainstay.
With the skilful lobbying of the Bernese and Valais residents in the 1990s, the Lötschberg Base Tunnel was also built and opened in 2007. Although the BLS had to hand over long-distance traffic to the SBB, it now operates the S-Bahn in Bern.
BLS-Netz AG is also responsible for operating the Lötschberg Base Tunnel. With the liberalization of the railways, BLS Cargo AG developed into a new important mainstay, which, in cooperation with the DB, strongly promoted freight transport services in transalpine traffic.
Product details
Author: | BLS, Kilian T. Elsasser |
Details: | 224 pages, 30.5 x 25 x 2.5 cm / 12 x 9.8 x 0.98 in, hardback |
Illustrations: | 365 b&w and colour photos |
Publisher: | AS Verlag (CH, 2013) |
ISBN: | 9783906055060 |