Interesting development in rope-propelled transport systems from Doppelmayr who have spent the last 5 years developing a unique solution to carrying cargo for the new Schilthornbahn Gondola in Switzerland. The cargo carrier acts to make life easier for residents and vacationers headed to the village and holiday resorts of Mürren. Luggage will be checked in at the desk when guests purchase a cableway ticket, and the luggage will either be picked up at the top station in Mürren or brought to a hotel/appartement for a charge.
The system utilizes an “underload container” that is affixed to the bottom of the gondola cabin by a fully automated crane. They are in the final testing phases of the project before it new freight and luggage capabilities go operational on the funifor (funitel) cable car system.
New development of a fully automatic freight logistics system for the “Schilthornbahn 20XX” generation project. After successful tests on a specially set up test stand, installation and commissioning took place on site. The system enables the underload container to be automatically lifted using a crane system onto the vehicle of the steepest aerial tramway in the world.
Particular challenges lay in the combination of several systems installed on the self-supporting building ceiling. This required innovative solutions to ensure mechanical stability and functionality.
After five years of development, this freight logistics system marks a milestone. Next up are the final tests of the interfaces before the system is integrated into the regular operation of the Schilthornbahn.
The “Schilthornbahn 20XX” project envisages a classic aerial tramway between Stechelberg and Mürren with a capacity of 800 people per hour. The freight and luggage logistics on this route are to be fully automated. Above Mürren, Funifor cable cars will connect the Birg and Schilthorn stations. The Funifor system impresses with its high wind stability and enables compact station construction.
Whole route animation of the Schilthornbahn 20XX:
The Schilthornbahn 20XX project envisages a traditional cable car between Stechelberg and Mürren with a passenger capacity of 800 persons per hour. The goods and luggage logistics will be fully automated over this route. Above Mürren, Funifor cable cars will connect to the stations of Birg and Schilthorn. The Funifor system stands out thanks to its high wind stability and the fact that it allows for compact, low-rise station buildings. An integrated architectural concept for the new station buildings was drawn up with the Federal Office of Culture, the Cantonal Office for the Preservation of Monuments and the Bern Office of Cultural Heritage.
Innovations compared to existing cable car:
-3 sections Stechelberg – Mürren – Birg – Schilthorn instead of 4 sections as before.
-The Stechelberg – Mürren section will be built as a conventional cable car.
-With the other two sections Mürren – Birg and Birg – Schilthorn, there will be 2 single track Funifor cable cars, which can be operated or serviced independently of each other.
-The length of the incline has been reduced from 6,935 m to 5,685 m (–18%).
-The pure travel time will be reduced from 20.4 minutes today to 11.8 minutes in the future.
-The number of connections (Gimmelwald) can be reduced.
-According to the timetable, the full travel time from Stechelberg to Schilthorn can be reduced from 32 minutes to 22 minutes.
-The passenger capacity will be increased from around 400 persons/hr. (concession for 600 persons/hr.) to around 800 persons/hr. in the future.
-The connection times at the changing stations can be optimised, so that the journey time can always be maintained at well under 30 minutes (currently at peak times > 50 minutes)!
-The Schilthorn will now be accessible 365 days a year!
