(2025) Austria - railway (cog railway) Zahnradbahnen (block 8 zn.)

On steep mountain tracks, conventional trains would lose traction, so cog railways - special rack-and-pinion railways where a cog on the locomotive takes up the teeth between the rails - were developed. This system allows even steep grades to be handled safely.

Different systems (Riggenbach, Strub, Abt, Locher) have different designs but the same principle: dig in, don't slip and climb up.

The most famous cog railway in the world is the Pilatusbahn in Switzerland, which manages gradients of up to 48%. Others include the Mount Washington Cog Railway in the USA (in operation since 1869) and the Schafbergbahn in Austria. Many lines still use historic steam locomotives, such as the Achenseebahn, and are popular tourist attractions.