Cog railway Tanvald–Harrachov

Cog railway Tanvald–Harrachov
Cog railway Tanvald-Harrachov
Legend
Straight track
from Železný Brod
Junction from left
from Liberec
Station on track
0,0 Tanvald
Level crossing
Straight track
Start of first rack section
Small bridge
Desná (29 m)
Enter and exit short tunnel
Tunnel Žďárský (67,2 m)
Straight track
End of first rack section
Level crossing
Station on track
1,4 Desná
Bridge over water
White Desná (28,9 m)
Enter and exit short tunnel
Tunnel Desná (252,1m)
Unknown BSicon "eABZrf"
Industry branch, abandoned
Straight track
Start of second rack section
Bridge over water
Black Desná (71,1 m; 13,6 m high)
Enter and exit short tunnel
Tunnel Dolní Polubný (156,3 m)
Station on track
3,2 Dolní Polubný
Straight track
Maximum gradient 58 ‰
Stop on track
5 Kořenov zastávka
Enter and exit tunnel
Tunnel Polubný (940 m)
Straight track
End of second rack section
Station on track
6,9 Kořenov
Large bridge
Jizera viaduct (Border crossing till 1958)
Enter and exit short tunnel
Tunnel Harrachov (279,7 m)
Stop on track
11,6 Harrachov
Restricted border on track
Border crossing (from 1958)
Straight track
to Szklarska Poręba (Izera railway)
Cog locomotive T 426.0 in the second cog section

Cog railway Tanvald–Harrachov is a standard gauge cog railway in Europe. It connects the municipalities Tanvald, Kořenov and Harrachov in the Czech Republic.

The railway was built in 1902 with the intention to connect the lines Liberec-Jablonec-Tanvald and Jelenia Góra-Kořenov (Zackenbahn), that is to connect Austro-Hungarian Empire with Prussia. After the Second World War Silesia was acquired by Poland and the cross-border traffic was abolished. Following an exchange of border territories between Czechoslovakia and Poland, the Bohemian part was extended to Harrachov, that became a new terminal station. Following a one-day celebration on the 100th anniversary in 2002, cross border traffic was restored on July 2, 2010. Plans to extend the line further to the centre of Harrachov were rejected. Despite this fact, the section between Harrachov and Szklarska Poręba has been reconstructed and is in regular use.

In winter, the morning trains are packed with cross country skiers who take advantage of the gained elevation difference and continue from Kořenov to either Jablonec or Liberec via Jizerka or cross the border to make a trip to Orle. In summer, bike transport is gaining popularity. As both the express trains from Prague and Dresden terminate in Tanvald, the former plans to abolish the line were dropped.

Rail transport map of Zackenbahn

Technical parameters

Cog section entry
  • Rack system: two-set Abt rack system, laid in two sections, 4744 m
  • Maximum gradient: 58 ‰ (Czech rail record)
  • Elevation difference: 235 m on 7 km

External links


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