Pfäffikon–Arth-Goldau railway

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The Pfäffikon–Arth-Goldau railway is a Swiss line, mainly single-track and standard gauge, owned by Südostbahn (SOB). It runs about 34.6 kilometers from Pfäffikon SZ to Arth-Goldau and connects with other lines such as Rapperswil–Pfäffikon and Wädenswil–Einsiedeln. The line was built to provide access to the Gotthard Railway and includes a section that became part of the SOB network after a merger in 2001.

Technical details
- Track: mostly single track
- Gauge: standard gauge (1,435 mm)
- Electrification: 15 kV 16.7 Hz AC overhead since 1939
- Gradient: up to 5.0% on some sections

History and milestones
- The line was built to link to the Gotthard route and uses a portion of the Bodensee–Toggenburg railway that joined SOB in 2001.
- Construction began in the late 19th century, with operations starting on 29 July 1891 and the line officially opening on 31 July 1891. Regular service began on 8 August 1891 after bridge tests were completed in 1892.
- Electrification was approved in 1938 and completed in 1939, just before the Swiss National Exhibition in Zürich. Although electric lines were ready, the initial electric trains were not yet delivered, so early operations used non-electric stock for a short period.
- Biberegg station opened as a winter-sports stop in 1935 and became a regular station in 1979. Riedmatt station opened in 1974, and Freienbach was upgraded to a crossing station in 1988.
- To handle growing traffic, the line between Samstagern and Schindellegi-Feusisberg was duplicated in 1992.
- In 1975, deformations in the Lustenau tunnel No. 2 required converting the tunnel into a cutting with a retaining wall; replacement buses ran for 12 days.
- From 15 October 1977, the line was upgraded to the former SBB profile I, allowing heavier axle and bridge loads. Since 2018, rolling stock up to class D4 is permitted on the line.

This shorter version highlights the key facts about the Pfäffikon–Arth-Goldau railway in a clear, easy-to-understand way.