Aware of the scenic location of the Rigi mountain, and driven by his pioneering spirit, Swiss engineer Niklaus Riggenbach masterminded the construction of the Vitznau-Rigi Railway in the mid-19th century. Riggenbach’s invention, which would guide trains across steep climbs by means of cogwheels and toothed racks, was patented in France in 1863.It had been anticipated that 50.000 passengers would use the Vitznau-Rigi Railway annually. But during the first year of operation the figure totalled more than 60.000, and in 1874 the 100.000 mark was passed for the first time. With the opening of the Arth-Rigi Railway in 1875 these figures declined for a few years, but by 1886 they had again increased to 102.021. The highest number was reached in the centenary year of 1971, with 578.070 passengers.