Die Wuppertal Schwebebahn
On the 15th of October 1895,
Elektrizitäts-Aktiengesellschaft concluded a contract with the mayor of the rural community of Vohwinkel, Heinrich Bammel, to extend the line above the road to Vohwinkel. Opponents quickly condemned the construction of the suspension railway as an "insane enterprise". It was said to be tempting God, and called hubris to entrust oneself to such a Satanic contrivance. Nevertheless, Elektrizitäts-Aktiengesellschaft founded a subsidiary for the construction and operation of the suspension railway: the "Continentale Gesellschaft für elektrische Unternehmungen" (Continental Society for Electrical Enterprises).
The Wuppertal Schewbebahn or Suspension Railway or Floating Tram (like the last one) is more than 100 years old (began operations in 1901). It still runs and brings in loads of tourists to the historical German town. The tracks are 8 m (26.25 ft) above the streets and 12 m (39.37 ft) above the Wupper River. System length is an impressive 13km for this kind of transit system with 20 stations en route.
