Kathi Cable Car Murren – An Era Is Coming To An End

At the end of February, the old cable car, affectionately known as Käthi, has to make way for the construction of the new cable car between Stechelberg and Mürren. We look back on more than 50 years of their loyal service to the Schilthornbahn.

"Are you driving Öppe the Käthi?" - that's what it often sounds like when a Schilthornbahn employee wants to get to Mürren or back from there quickly and away from the hustle and bustle. Kathi? No, this is not the cabin crew member who is on duty. Pronounced Kätha or Käthi, depending on the dialect, the transport cable car between Stechelberg and Mürren is called. It has always been a little overshadowed by its big sister, the public cable car, which has been allowed to transport travelers and locals up the mountain and back via Gimmelwald from the very beginning. Wrong actually, because Käthi is older and originally functioned as a transport cable car for the construction of the official cable car. It remained in operation even after the end of construction and has always provided an indispensable service when transporting goods of all kinds over the steep Mürrenfluh. Even cattle were allowed to ride! The railway has been rebuilt several times over the years, but its main task has always been limited to transporting materials.

When, in the mid-1980s, the revised Clean Air Ordinance demanded the closure of the waste incineration plant in Mürren, Mürren's waste had to be transported down to the valley professionally and in special containers. Accordingly, the Schilthornbahn requested the conversion of the transport cable car for the transport of both heavy goods and people. A heated argument broke out with the Lauterbrunnen-Mürren mountain railway (BLM), which, following a push by the Schilthornbahn in the 1970s to set up the railway for passenger transport as well, once again found itself in competition. There were even threats to take the matter to federal court. In the end, the voters in the valley said yes to the expansion project and it was possible to convert it; However, the capacity for people remained limited to eight people due to an existing agreement with the BLM. It was not until 2000 that the situation around the locally known "Ghüderkrieg" eased up and after another renovation, Käthi was also allowed to transport up to 50 people. Käthi is always a popular choice as a replacement track during maintenance, when there are large crowds after events or for a quick transfer. Their central task is and remains the transport of goods. when there is a large rush for events or for a quick transfer, Käthi is always gladly used. Their central task is and remains the transport of goods. when there is a large rush for events or for a quick transfer, Käthi is always gladly used. Their central task is and remains the transport of goods.

Now the time has come for Käthi to make way for the new, steepest cable car in the world. An era comes to an end! A few dozen meters from Käthi, a new material ropeway has already been built. Because Käthi herself is right in the cable car corridor of the railway to be built. She will continue to serve her faithfully until February 26, 2023, and then it will be over. Anyone who would like to take the train again before it is demolished – or for the first time ever – can do so from 3 January every day from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. from Stechelberg. The offer includes a 30-franc voucher for consumption in the 360° restaurant Piz Gloria on the Schilthorn

Why Käthi is called Käthi at all: After a track conversion in 1987, a small christening party was organised. The godmother at the time was spontaneously asked what the name of the train should be. The questioned godmother turned to her husband for help. "Just say Käthi," he said. Why just Kathi? That remains a secret for us too. In any case, the name of the godmother and wife of the namesake was Hedy.