Strange and fascinating trains that defy the norm

We’re all familiar with railways or railroads – large, heavy vehicles that struggle to climb steep inclines, running along two parallel steel tracks. That’s how it usually works, right?

However, railway technology has proven to be far more adaptable than we realize. Over the past 200 years, it has evolved to conquer cities, scale mountains, access deep mines, and navigate some of the world’s harshest environments. Here’s a glimpse at some of the most unconventional railways that break traditional rules to reach destinations other trains can’t access.

Wuppertal Schwebebahn, Germany

If there was ever a railway perfectly designed for its surroundings, it would be the famous Schwebebahn monorail in Germany’s North Rhine-Westphalia region. Built to connect several industrial towns along the narrow, winding valley of the Wupper river, the suspended monorail was completed in 1901 and played a key role in the expansion of these towns, which later united to form the city of Wuppertal in 1929.

To those unfamiliar with it, the elevated transit system in Wuppertal may seem odd, but for locals, it is a vital part of the city's transportation infrastructure. The suspended rail travels up to 40 feet above the busy streets, offering quick and direct journeys along an eight-mile route.

The trains are supported by 486 steel portals, collectively weighing nearly 20,000 tonnes. Each day, over 80,000 passengers are carried by 31 modern articulated vehicles, reaching speeds of up to 37 mph (60 kph). A replica of the vintage Kaiserwagen, once used by Kaiser Wilhelm II in 1900, also operates on special occasions, though it's currently under restoration with plans for a return by spring 2024.

Stoosbahn, Switzerland

Stoosbahn, the world's steepest public railway, holds the current record and has been a popular tourist destination since its opening in December 2017.

The railway features unique cars with rotating 'barrels' that allow passengers to remain level as they ascend the mountain. With gradients reaching 110%, the railway climbs over 2,450 feet (744 meters) in just five minutes along a 1.74 km route.

More than just a scenic ride, Stoosbahn is an essential transport link for the car-free village of Stoos, perched high on a mountain near Schwyz, south of Zürich. Each vehicle is equipped with three passenger 'barrels' and a section for freight. Every year, up to 10,000 tonnes of goods are transported, including supplies for local restaurants and hotels, as well as waste and recycling. The system can carry up to 1,500 passengers per hour, along with their skis or snowboards – a 50% increase over the capacity of the previous funicular.

Riding the Stoosbahn is a one-of-a-kind adventure, even for seasoned mountain railway enthusiasts. The transition from level ground to near-vertical incline happens swiftly, and the view from the rotating cabins is truly spectacular. It's hard not to be awestruck by such a remarkable feat of railway engineering.

Hythe Pier Railway, England

Pier railways were a popular attraction at several British seaside resorts in the 19th century, with the most famous being the mile-long journey to the end of Southend Pier on the east coast, a trip still available today. Originally built for leisure, these railways typically saved visitors from having to walk back to shore.

Hythe Pier Railway, located on England’s south coast, stands out as a functional transport system rather than just a tourist attraction. It serves as a vital link between dry land and the Hythe Ferry, which has been crossing Southampton Water since the Middle Ages.

The pier, which originally opened in 1881, was complemented by a quirky 2,100-foot railway in 1909, making it the oldest continuously operating pier railway in the world. Initially, the wagons were pushed by hand, but in 1922, the original track was replaced by a narrow-gauge electric railway. Two electric locomotives, originally built for use in a World War I mustard gas factory, have been powering the trains ever since.

Despite numerous threats of closure, the unusual-looking locomotives still haul their worn-out coaches along the pier to meet every ferry traveling to and from Southampton Town Quay. It's a nostalgic experience—be sure to visit while it’s still running.

Chongqing Monorail, China

Monorails have been in operation for over a century, with examples found around the globe, though they’ve never completely fulfilled the futuristic promises made by early advocates. That said, in certain locations, the unique features of monorails make them perfectly suited to their surroundings.

Chongqing, China, is home to the world’s longest monorail system, one of the busiest, and a key transport link for millions of passengers each year. The system features two high-capacity 'straddle beam' lines that span 61 miles. The longest of these, Line 3, stretches just over 34 miles and serves around 250 million passengers annually. Opened between 2005 and 2016, the two lines include 70 stations, some underground and others elevated. One remarkable section of Line 2 actually passes through the center of a high-rise apartment building.

Chongqing's distinctive landscape, with sharp contrasts in elevation between its crowded mountain plateaus and the river valleys of the Yangtze and Jialing, prompted the city's transit authorities to look for alternatives to traditional metro trains. The monorail, with its ability to handle steep inclines and sharp curves, emerged as the perfect solution for transforming the public transit system of this sprawling megacity.

Ferrobus, South America

Is it a train or a bus? Neither—it's a Ferrobus, a unique mode of transport found in the mountainous regions of South America, combining the characteristics of both trains and buses in one improvised vehicle.

These quirky vehicles, built by combining old bus bodies with rail wheels, serve as a vital means of transport for remote mountain villages with no official road access. Using abandoned rail lines—many constructed in the 19th and early 20th centuries to exploit mineral resources—Ferrobus routes can be found winding through the Andes in Chile, Bolivia, and Colombia.

Ferrobus rides are becoming increasingly popular with tourists in search of a unique experience, often hoping to avoid the uncomfortable and hazardous conditions of mountain roads. While Chile's Gondola Carril, running from Los Andes to Rio Blanco north of Santiago, operates exclusively for tourists, other Ferrobus routes provide essential, though sometimes unpredictable, transportation for both locals and travelers.

Bolivia is often considered the heart of the Ferrobus network, boasting at least three active routes, though passengers face constant risks of derailments and disruptions from floods, rockfalls, and extreme weather conditions.

Taking a ride on a Ferrobus requires both patience and endurance, but the adventure promises plenty of thrilling, hair-raising stories to share with friends afterwards.

‘Pokémon With You, Japan

Are you a Pokémon fan with a love for trains? This unique Japanese local train, otherwise unremarkable, has been transformed into a tribute to the iconic Pokémon franchise, featuring its most beloved character – Pikachu.

The train’s bright yellow exterior and interior are decked out with Pikachu-themed decorations, from the walls and floors to the curtains. One car offers seating for passengers, while the second car serves as a delightful mobile playroom where young Pokémon fans can play, nap, and interact with giant Pikachu plush toys, or even pretend to drive the train during the two-hour journey from Ichinoseki to Kesennuma in the Tōhoku region.

Launched in 2017 to bring some joy to local communities still recovering from the 2011 earthquake, tsunami, and Fukushima disaster, ‘Pokémon With You’ is part of JR East’s collection of ‘Joyful Trains.’ These special trains, ranging from classic steam locomotives to luxurious, whimsically decorated express trains, are an essential part of Japan’s vibrant railway culture, which draws tourists from across the globe.

The Small Underground, Budapest

Which city in mainland Europe boasts the oldest underground railway? Paris? Berlin? Vienna? Surprisingly, it’s Budapest, where the M1 line has been in operation since May 1896.

In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Hungary – then part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire – was at the forefront of railway innovation. This short (2.3-mile) underground line under Andrássy Avenue, on the Pest side of the Danube, became only the third electric underground railway in the world, opening just after similar systems in London and Liverpool, England.

Like the compact 'tube trains' of London, the original tunnels in Budapest were built to a notably smaller size, a feature still evident today on what locals affectionately call 'a kisföldalatti,' or 'the small underground.' Initially, wooden-sheltered freight car-like trains ran on this line until 1973 when M1 was modernized and extended. Even today, riding M1 offers a unique experience compared to the city's more spacious metro lines with their larger trains and airy stations.

Thousands of passengers cram into the small yellow trains daily, reflecting a much higher ridership than when the line first opened. With its low platforms and short, angular trains, M1 remains a distinctive alternative to the usual city metro system.

Glass Floor Hanging Train, China

Over the past two decades, China’s railway network has become the largest and most diverse in the world, fueled by the rapid expansion of high-speed rail and global exports.

China's vastness offers more than just sleek high-speed trains and sprawling urban subways; the sheer scale and variety of the country require innovative transport solutions to reach areas where traditional rail systems can’t go.

One such innovation is the world’s first hanging monorail with a glass floor, now operational in Sichuan Province. The Dayi Air Rail Project spans a seven-mile (11.5-kilometer) route, linking four stations at popular tourist spots in the city of Chengdu.

What sets this monorail apart is its lightweight carriages, made from carbon fiber and composite foam materials. Powered by rechargeable batteries fueled by renewable energy, the monorail offers passengers a unique experience with panoramic windows and a transparent floor, providing a 270-degree view of the surroundings. With a capacity of 120 passengers per ride, it combines quiet, efficient transport with breathtaking sightseeing.

DMV Road-Rail Bus, Japan

Picture a vehicle that can pick you up at your doorstep, drive you to the nearest railway track, transform into a train, and then return to its bus mode to drop you off in the heart of a nearby town. It may sound like something from a children’s story, but Japan’s DMV Road-Rail buses have been making this a reality since their debut on Christmas Day 2021.

These buses, which carry about 20 passengers per journey, follow a 30-mile route from Kaiyo in Tokushima to Muroto in Kochi Prefecture. Six miles of the route are on a rural railway, while the remainder is traveled in bus mode.

With a capacity of 23, including both passengers and crew, the DMV is a diesel-powered vehicle equipped with retractable rail wheels that can be deployed in just 15 seconds. Being lighter than a traditional train, it also consumes less fuel and is more affordable to maintain.

Dubbed “the world’s first operational dual-mode vehicle,” the DMV is part of an ongoing series of innovations designed to improve rural rail services and cut costs. Similar road-to-rail vehicles were tested as far back as the 1930s in Ireland, with similar trials in England and West Germany during the mid-20th century.

The Tokushima prefectural government is optimistic that the DMV buses will become a major tourist attraction. They also see the potential for these vehicles to provide vital access to remote communities during natural disasters, such as earthquakes, which can often disrupt roads and railways.

Katoomba Scenic Railway, Australia

Just a short distance from the vibrant city of Sydney lies an unforgettable railway experience. Nestled in the heart of the Blue Mountains, the Katoomba Scenic Railway is a strong contender for the title of the world’s steepest railway. Unlike Switzerland’s Stoosbahn, this railway offers an exhilarating descent down sandstone cliffs, winding through dramatic rock formations and tunnels, all while hovering above a lush rainforest landscape.

The glass-roofed cars carry up to 84 passengers on a daring 52-degree (128%) incline. For those feeling extra daring, there’s even an option to tilt your seat into the ‘Cliffhanger’ position at a steep 64 degrees. For those seeking a more relaxed ride, the ‘Laidback’ seat position provides a gentler experience.

Originally part of the Katoomba mining tramways in the late 1800s, the rope-hauled railway has been thrilling tourists since 1945. With over 25 million visitors having made the journey, the modern cars feature panoramic roofs for an even better view of the surrounding forest canopy and the towering rock formations.