The Schwenkelberg Railway, also known as the Schipka Pass Railway, was a standard gauge railway line opened in 1877 that ran between Niederglatt and Wettingen. After 1882, after the National Railway was taken over by the Nordostbahn, the dismantling of the track between Wettingen and Otelfingen began. Before the outbreak of the Second World War, the remaining operations were then suspended due to a lack of passengers. Due to the steep gradient over the Schwenkelberg, the line was no longer of interest for freight traffic, even though it was shorter than the former competing lines through the Furttal. This makes the Bülach-Baden Railway one of the very few railway lines that remained closed in Switzerland.
This special rarity is exciting for adventurers, history buffs and railway fans. The former route in the municipality of Buchs ZH is still largely intact today, but in the east between Schwenkelberg and the edge of the village a dense forest has grown, which is designated as a protected area. In the village center, however, the route is still open. The old Buchs train station and the former railway guard's house on the road from Adlikon to Dielsdorf are still standing.
Access
The "railway path" is still signposted near Adlikon in the direction of Diesldorf at Schwenkelberg. However, in the dense forest, you need a little patience and a good eye to see the largely overgrown tracks.
