Rigi Mountain Railway - Vitznau to Rigi Kulm & Lake Luzern seen from the rear of an ascending train

Having arrived in Vitznau aboard the magnificent paddle steamer “Stadt Luzern”, I looked inside the motive power depot at the stock on display ranging from the earliest steam locomotives to more recent electric power cars. The railway’s staff kindly allowed me to mount cameras on the front and back of the next train to Rigi Kulm. This video shows the view from the rear driving cab, with magnificent views over Lake Luzern. We start with an almost dance like display of shunting centred around a very unusual turntable, before joining the train for a trip to the summit station. Please join me on this beautiful sunny day to savour the scenic mountain vista unfolding as our train climbs ever higher. The original line opened in 1870, from Vitznau to Rigi Staffelhöhe, it was 5 km (3.1 mi) long and climbed a total of 1,115 m (3,658 ft) to reach a height of 1,550 m (5,085 ft), the maximum gradient being 1 in 4 (25%). In 1873 the line was extended to the summit at Rigi Kulm 1,752 m (5,748 ft) above sea level