Jungfrau Railway: Train Infotainment
Infotainment for Europe’s highest railway line, which carries up to 1 million visitors a year
The Jungfrau Railway is the highest railway line in Europe. An electric cog railway in Switzerland that has been running since 1912 from Kleine Scheidegg through the famous Eiger and Mönch mountains to the Jungfraujoch, the highest railway station in Europe (3,454 metres above sea level). The route is 9.34 kilometres long, climbs almost 1,400 metres in altitude and runs mostly through a tunnel. In conjunction with the procurement of new trains from Stadler Rail, a new infotainment system was conceived. Screens throughout the train compositions display information about the stations, the impressive history of the railway construction between 1896–1912 and the sights of the Jungfraujoch, presented in the form of photographs, animations and films.
Starting point “Kleine Scheidegg”: This is where the journey to the Jungfraujoch, at 3,454 metres above sea level, begins.
Every year, up to 1 million visitors from all over the world travel to the Jungfraujoch.
Storyline
The infotainment system aboard the trains of the Jungfrau Railway consists of each eight 20″ flat-screen monitors with two on-board computers each, presenting a range of multimedia content. The system displays information about the stations Eigergletscher, Eigerwand and Eismeer, as well as the terminal station Jungfraujoch, alongside historical background on the construction of the railway line and its trains. The programme is complemented by commercials from partners of the Jungfraubahn – including Omega and Sprüngli – as well as useful information about the attractions awaiting passengers on the Jungfraujoch.
Mission
I was responsible for the conception of an infotainment system and the development of a storyboard for the timing and sequence of all content along the individual route sections. In addition, I produced all audiovisual content – from graphics, still images and route animations to 3D animations of the stations, as well as promotional films for the attractions on the Jungfraujoch and the other railways of the Jungfraubahn. Furthermore, my role encompassed the technical preparation of all media content, including commercials for integrating to the on-board computers of all trains, as well as the ongoing updating of the entire infotainment system.
I am very proud and grateful for this exciting and challenging collaboration over the past 18 years.
A train of the Jungfrau Railway on its way to the Jungfraujoch (Photo: Seb Mooze)
Identification & Logo Animation
Step 1: Adding depth
Step 2: Loop shape
Step 3: Glow and highlighting edges
Step 4: Final result with text
Realised products
Colour palette & typeface
Station & Route information
Temperature at the next train station
Travel time to the next train station
Altitude above sea level at the next train station
3D Animation of Train station
Step 1: Wireframe model
Step 2: Rendering with textures
Step 3: Text with Alpha channel for individual train stations
Step 4: Final result
(Photo: rexzillaz)
Virtual tour on the Jungfraujoch
Animations for the virtual tour of the Jungfraujoch, based on illustrations created by an external design studio.
Promotional films
Winter attractions
Jungfrau.ch
Impressions & sightseeing
Route information
Announcing of the next stop
Route from Kleine Scheidegg to Jungfraujoch
After returning from the Jungfraujoch, passengers will arrive back at the “Kleine Scheidegg” station. They can change trains to continue their journey to Wengen and Lauterbrunnen or Grindelwald.
A view inside a carriage on the Jungfrau Railway, showing the infotainment displays.
Connections at Kleine Scheidegg
Connection options after returning to “Kleine Scheidegg” station
Tools used for this project
- After Effects
- Cinema 4D
- Final Cut Pro
- Illustrator
- Korg Workstations
- Logic Pro
- Photoshop
- Premiere
Credits
From 2001 to 2007, I worked on this project on behalf of Gossweiler Media AG, and from 2007 to 2019 as a freelancer.