For Jungfrau Railways Director Urs Kessler, one thing is clear: “The renovation is a quality upgrade of Grindelwald railway station for locals and international guests and is an essential part of the region’s important public transport connection.” Bruno Hauswirth, Director of Grindelwald Tourism, also emphasises the importance of the station for the region: “The railway station makes quite a first impression on those travelling to the village, and the generously designed boarding area also makes waiting and travelling easier for locals.”

New numbering of the platforms

Since the opening of the V-Cableway, the flow of visitors has changed. As two tracks are no longer required for the Wengernalp Railway (WAB), it was possible to remove one track and widen the centre platform between the Bernese Oberland Railway (BOB) and WAB tracks. The numbering of the platforms from one to three is also new. At the BOB, platform 1 becomes platform 2 and vice versa. The WAB runs from platform 3. This now has the same height as the low-floor vehicles and thus complies with the Disability Discrimination Act.

The new roof over the central platform connects to the station building and protects travellers from the weather. Photovoltaic elements are integrated into the glass. These have a (theoretical) DC output of around 115 kWP. The overall photovoltaic system is expected to produce up to 85 MWh per year. As far as possible, the energy generated is to be used for the technical installations on the railway station platform.

Basis for further projects

“The renovated Grindelwald railway station is the basis for further projects”, says Urs Kessler. One of these projects is the renewal of the First Aerial Cableway, whose valley station will one day be located at Fuhrenmatte or Grindelwald railway station. “Grindelwald railway station will also play an important role in the planned quarter-hourly service of the BOB and therefore for the first S-Bahn in the Alps.”