In 1889, Switzerland opened a rack railway up Mount Pilatus with gradients once thought too steep; the line still climbs more than 5,000 feet from the valley

Switzerland's Pilatus Railway stands as the steepest rack railway globally, boasting an impressive maximum gradient of 48%. This remarkable feat of engineering, conceived by Eduard Locher, features an innovative horizontal cogwheel system designed to enhance safety. Since its opening in 1889, the railway has operated continuously, now utilizing electric trains that traverse the scenic route in just thirty minutes, showcasing significant advancements in transportation.