Why the name ‘Spanischbrödlibahn’?

The Spanischbrödli was popular in southern Germany and found its way from there to Baden. However, it owes its name to its original origins in Milan. In the 16th century, Milan was under Spanish rule and the Spanischbrödli was therefore made by Spanish bakers. The originally greasy, hot pastry was the speciality in Baden, which did not exist elsewhere and certainly not in Zurich, where the consumption of the luxurious delicacies was forbidden during the week due to strict laws. The puff pastries were particularly popular with Zurich's wealthy spa guests. The servants were sent on foot from Zurich to Baden in the middle of the night in order to have the speciality on the breakfast table in time for Sunday morning. This was much quicker after the railway line was built.

History of the Spanischbrödlibahn

During the construction of the line between Baden and Zurich with its 10 tunnels, the unskilled labourers usually only had picks, shovels and two-wheeled carts at their disposal. Almost 2000 people worked 11 to 12 hours a day for a weekly wage of 7 to 8 francs. Diseases were also widespread, caused by a lack of hygiene and poor nutrition. In the beginning, there were four journeys a day in both directions, and the journey time was 45 minutes for the 20 km route, meaning the train travelled at a speed of 30 kilometres per hour. Fun fact: Pregnant women were warned that there was a risk of premature births at this speed, and farmers feared that the cows would stop giving milk because of the ‘speeding’ railway.

90 years after the maiden voyage of the Spanischbrödli railway from Zurich to Baden, this historic event was celebrated with the Great Baden Ride in 1937. The Baden Ride Committee of the time took this great anniversary as an opportunity to have a road version of the nationally famous Spanischbrödli railway built. Since then, the 1:1 model of the railway has been a Badenfahrt landmark and has now been in use for over 80 years.

In 2002, the town of Baden took over the railway from the Badenfahrt Committee and ensured its preservation by financing and carrying out a major overhaul. From then on, the Baden Gymnastics Club ensured the operation of the railway, as it was - and still is - used and appreciated in a variety of ways in addition to the Badenfahrt.

In 2017, the city government decided to discontinue the operation and cost-intensive maintenance of the railway. CityCom Baden, the Badenfahrt association and the Baden gymnastics club therefore founded the Spanischbrödlibahn association to continue to maintain and operate the almost historic railway.

In 2019, the railway became the property of the new association for 1 franc. With great support from private patrons and sponsors, the association had the railway extensively overhauled and converted to electric traction. Since spring 2022, the Spanischbrödlibahn has once again been in tireless use at private parties, company and club events and as a friendly ambassador for the cultural and spa town of Baden.