On Saturday, 14th December 2024 the world’s steepest cable automobile began working. The new direct connection between Stechelberg and Mürren was formally opened the day earlier than as a part of a VIP opening ceremony. At the identical time, the primary part of the cable automobile between Mürren and Birg will go into operation.
It marks the completion of the primary main building section of the SCHILTHORNBAHN 20XX undertaking: the opening of the brand new direct connection between Stechelberg and Mürren. It is the steepest cable automobile in the world with a gradient of 159.4 per cent. The traditional aerial cableway connects the valley ground with the car-free mountain village in simply 4 minutes through the vertical partitions of the Mürrenfluh. It covers a top of 775 metres on a journey of virtually 1194 metres. The two cable vehicles from Carvatech in Oberwies, Austria, have area for 85 folks or 6.8 tonnes of cargo. 800 folks per hour will be transported at full capability. A putting characteristic is the very lengthy suspension arm of 11 metres, which was important because of the excessive gradient. The AURO system (Autonomous Ropeway Operation) aerial cableway with fixed monitoring by cameras and sensors allows autonomous operation with out personnel contained in the cable vehicles and stations. A completely automated loading robotic takes care of freight logistics. Transportation of bags and cargo are synchronised with the passengers in a container connected beneath the cable automobile.
Grand opening
On Friday, 13th December 2024, the cable automobile was formally opened in the presence of over 600 friends. The vigorous celebration, hosted by Monika Erb, came about in the brand new Stechelberg valley station. In addition to the official opening ceremony and rides on the brand new cable automobile, friends had been in a position to take a guided tour of the buildings to get accustomed to the brand new Stechelberg and Mürren stations. Food and drink at a wide range of meals stands and fascinating interviews with undertaking managers rounded off the supporting programme. The occasion continued late into the evening on the bar.
First Funifor cable automobile in Switzerland
At the identical time because the world’s steepest cable automobile opened, the primary monitor of the Funifor cable automobile on the second part between Mürren and Birg additionally went into operation. It is the primary cableway of this kind in Switzerland. During the winter months, each the previous and the brand new cableway will function aspect by aspect on this part to ensure the transport capability in the course of the ski operations. The opening of the second Funifor monitor is deliberate for November 2025. The two tracks with the exceptionally wind-resistant cable vehicles, every designed for 100 folks, might be mechanically impartial. In the occasion of an inspection, one carriageway might be shut down whereas the second can proceed to function. This allows operation one year a 12 months, making the upkeep breaks a factor of the previous. During regular service, the 2 tracks are electrically coupled, so the cable vehicles are operated as a ‘classic’ pendulum aerial cableway.
Visible cable automobile expertise
It’s not simply the cableways which can be distinctive, the stations even have their very own particular options. The vibrant copper façades that encompass every station are putting. The similar goes for the finger docks on the mountain stations, which protrude outwards on concrete V-supports and thus present an unobstructed view of the encircling mountains. Another particular characteristic is the seen cable automobile expertise, which is modelled on the previous Gimmelwald cable automobile station. Due to an absence of area and the steep angle, the information wheels had been positioned outdoors the station on the roof in the Nineteen Sixties. This character has now been transferred to the brand new stations. Another uncommon characteristic is the truth that the cable automobile on the Stechelberg station doesn’t exit the station on the entrance because of the steepness of the cable automobile, it exits and arrives via the roof. All the buildings are characterised by clear strains of sight, a uniform lighting idea and clear, concise visitor orientation.
Schilthorn summit stays closed till March 2025
Operations on the highest part between Birg and Schilthorn have been suspended since mid-October. The first monitor of the brand new cable automobile – additionally a Funifor – is scheduled to enter operation on 15th March 2025. The second monitor will observe in spring 2026, finishing the undertaking.
