Chemin de fer de la Wengernalp – Hodel – 1953

Chemins de fer de la Wengernalp poster – Ernst Hodel – 1953

This vintage Swiss Railway poster was realised in 1953 by the artist Ernst Hodel for the Wengernalp Railway. The Wengernalp is an alpine meadow that sits at an elevation of 1874 m, above Wengen in the Bernese Oberland of Switzerland. Its railway, the Wengernalp Railway runs from Lauterbrunnen  to Grindlewald via Wengen and Kleine Scheidegg. At almost 20 kilometers long it is the world’s longest continuous rack and pinion railway. The Petite Scheidegg or Kleine Scheidegg is a mountain pass situated between  the Lauberhorn and Eiger peaks in the Bernese Oberland region of Switzerland. The Wengernalp is a popular for its views over the giants of the Bernese Alps. In fact, it directly faces the huge northern walls of the Jungfrau, Mönch and Eiger, across the extremely narrow Trümmelbach valley. In winter, the Wengernalp (and Kleine Scheidegg) are part of a large and popular ski area.

This Swiss travel poster was produced by the Wengen railway company. The region, at  1874 m is too high an altitude for trees to grow, which is why the region is an alpine meadow. Hodel’s image features a pine tree near the lower regions of the Wengernalp which provides an image of the lush green lower regions set against the white, snow-capped mountain peakss behind. The text on the poster read Chemin de fer de la Wengernalp, Petite Scheidegg, 2061m. Oberland Bernois.

Our posters are carefully and professionally created from vintage originals. Whilst great care is taken in the production of these posters, we also try to maintain a vintage feel, so there may be small imperfections, fold marks, scuffs, tears or marks that were part of the original poster master. If these do appear they should be visible on the larger views of the item on this listing. The originals of many of the posters we offer can cost many thousands of pounds, so whilst these posters look great, especially framed and mounted on a wall, they are intended as a fun, affordable reproductions and not intended fine art prints.

The 50x70cm version has been specially produced to be used in conjunction with Ikea’s 50x70cm Ribba picture frame which currently retails for around £12. So you can bag a bargain of print and frame for a great price.