The world's steepest funicular railway opens in Switzerland

European technology hit new heights today when the world's steepest funicular line opened in Switzerland.

The futuristic-looking Stoos Bahn tram, which is considered a modern-day design triumph, was officially launched on Friday afternoon by Swiss President Doris Leuthard.

The 52 million-Swiss franc ($52.6 million) project is accessible to the public from Sunday, running from Schywz to the mountain village of Stoos, which lies 1,300 meters above sea level in central Switzerland.

Resembling a white-knuckle ride at Alton Towers, the barrel-shaped carriages adjust their floors so passengers can stand upright even as they climb towards the Alpine plateau at inclines of 110 per cent.

Impressively, the train will climb 743 meters over a span of 1,738 meters - and at speeds of 10 meters per second.

The train's arrival has smashed the previous world record for the steepest funicular train, which was formerly held by The Gelmerbahn at Bern, also in Switzerland. That boasted a gradient of 106 per cent.

Meanwhile, England's nearest rival to the title is the East Cliff Lift in Hastings, with a slop gradient of 78 per cent.

The line's arrival comes more than four years after the project began construction in 2013.

'After 14 years of planning and building, everyone is very proud of this train,' said Ivan Steiner, spokesman for the railway.

It replaces an older, dilapidated rail system which first began ferrying holiday-makers in 1933, but has now been surpassed by the abilities of modern technology.

Only accessible via the tram facility, Stoos is a family-friendly holiday destination located high above Lake Lucerne.

'This small, car-free resort is an attractive place for all kinds of sporting activities or just relaxing away from the noise of traffic and hustle and bustle,' the official tourism website for Switzerland states.

Source: Daily Mail