Dave noticed a site in Germany on Atlas Obscura, a website devoted to unusual places and experiences. Wurppertal features a hanging suspension train that was not too far away from Wurselen by trains. Clare researched the route and we decided to take a lovely Sunday to visit this interesting sight.
We started on a regional train near Wurselen and changed trains in Cologne. We passed the love lock bridge fence over the Rhine River. Another famous and interesting site. I heard it has to be stripped of the heavy locks periodically.
We hopped on another regional train at Cologne and arrived within a short walk of the first suspension station. On the way we could observe the train set up and action. The train is quite old. It was an invention at the turn of the 20th century looking for a place to be built. The cities near Wuppertal decided to volunteer. The area was one of the first industrialized area in Germany. The first part of the train was completed in 1902. The train and track recently underwent refurbishment.
We soon arrived at the station and awaited the next train.
The train arrives on the other side of the station and empties the passengers then makes a loop to the pick up side. Once it arrived we got a close up look at the rail and wheel system.
The track went down the city streets and even through a building, then for quite a long time over the small Wupper River, a tributary of the Rhine. We passed a Bayer plant where aspirin was invented.
We left the train at the historic city center and strolled through town to a lovely outdoor ice cream parlor with large red shady umbrellas over the tables.
After our treats we walked to the main train station and returned to Wurselen. It was a perfect Sunday outing. The sign shows the stops we made on the hanging train.
