Ski Resorts News
03/21/2024
Garaventa has carried out a comprehensive modernization of the reversible aerial tramway Sörenberg–Brienzer Rothorn. In addition to the installation of a cutting-edge control system, traveling on the new tram is now faster and more efficient.
An 80-passenger tramway has linked Sörenberg with Lucerne’s popular tallest mountain, the Brienzer Rothorn, since 1971. After more than 50 years’ service, the time had come to replace the tramway and its ropeway technology was entirely upgraded. Drive, towers, ropes, cabins and control system are now state of the art. The alignment and tower positions remain unchanged. The station infrastructure has been given an architectural facelift to meet today’s requirements in terms of operations and passenger flows. In line with the retrofit concept, some assemblies from the original installation, such as the roller chains, counterweights and cabin guides, were retained and integrated into the new ropeway equipment.
The new cabins supplied by CWA enable efficient operations thanks to the double sliding doors on both sides and significantly shorten boarding and disembarkation times.
Innovative control technology
A key aspect of this modernization was the implementation of Connect, the latest generation of control systems developed and produced by Frey Stans in Central Switzerland. The Connect ropeway control features a standardized operating concept across all the various ropeway types. Connect enables central control and monitoring of the ropeway installation from an operating point of choice (top or bottom station or from the vehicle). The system is equipped with cameras and intercoms to allow unmanned operation.
The mountain station will be renovated in spring 2024. In particular, these are the sanitary facilities, the catering and the production with the planned cinema in the former military bunker on the Brienz Rothorn.
The cost framework for the Rothorn Retrofit project is around 22 million francs.
Facts Brienzer Rothorn
A new cable car from Sörenberg to the Brienzer Rothorn is the big goal. The challenging project has so far gone according to plan.
The crane from Imobersteg Krantechnik is designed so that it can be transported using a small helicopter. That means: Max. unit weights of 900kg.
80% of the craftsmen involved in the project are from the region.
The distance from the valley station to the mountain station is 2.7 km.
The construction of the new cable car costs 22 million francs.
A suspension cable of the Brienzer Rothorn cable car contains glass fibers. In addition to its actual function, the rope is also used for communication with the mountain station.
There is space for 80 guests in the modern cabin, which was constructed by CWA Constructions SA Olten.
The new solar system on the roof of the valley station generates 35,000 kilowatt hours of electricity per year.
The support cables weigh 40 tons. You overcome an altitude difference of over 1,000 meters.
The crane from Imobersteg Krantechnik is designed so that it can be transported using a small helicopter. That means: Max. unit weights of 900kg.
80% of the craftsmen involved in the project are from the region.
The distance from the valley station to the mountain station is 2.7 km.
The construction of the new cable car costs 22 million francs.
A suspension cable of the Brienzer Rothorn cable car contains glass fibers. In addition to its actual function, the rope is also used for communication with the mountain station.
There is space for 80 guests in the modern cabin, which was constructed by CWA Constructions SA Olten.
The new solar system on the roof of the valley station generates 35,000 kilowatt hours of electricity per year.
The support cables weigh 40 tons. You overcome an altitude difference of over 1,000 meters.
Technical data: 80-ATW Sörenberg - Brienzer Rothorn
Height of valley station (platform) 1247.9 m
Height of the mountain station (platform) 2287.8 m
Elevation difference 1039.9 m
Horizontal length 2528.3 m
Average gradient 41.1%
Maximum road gradient 70.0%
Payload per vehicle 80 people
Number of cabins 2
Capacity 630 people/h
Travel time 6.2 min
Travel speed distance max. 10.0 m/s
Travel speed supports max. 7.0 m/s
Diameter of supporting cable 48 mm
Diameter of pull rope 34 mm
Number of towers 3
Rated power drive motor 560 kW
Height of the mountain station (platform) 2287.8 m
Elevation difference 1039.9 m
Horizontal length 2528.3 m
Average gradient 41.1%
Maximum road gradient 70.0%
Payload per vehicle 80 people
Number of cabins 2
Capacity 630 people/h
Travel time 6.2 min
Travel speed distance max. 10.0 m/s
Travel speed supports max. 7.0 m/s
Diameter of supporting cable 48 mm
Diameter of pull rope 34 mm
Number of towers 3
Rated power drive motor 560 kW
The Brienzer Rothorn cable car takes you to the summit in 7 minutes. There is a 360° top class panorama with views of the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau and up to 690 further peaks to marvel at.
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