Lunerseebahn Completely Renovated

After almost a year of construction, the new Lünerseebahn has been completely renovated and shines in new splendor. A modern cable car was built between the walls of the valley and mountain stations, which takes visitors up the mountain and back down into the valley at around 10 meters per second. The new lift went into operation on August 8th.

 

Like most cable cars, the Lünerseebahn was built as part of the power plant construction. At the beginning of the 1950s, the then Vorarlberger Illwerke commissioned the construction of a cable car to develop a construction site and to handle the transport of materials to the Lünersee. After the completion of the construction work, the system was adapted for public transport.

Concession expired

Since June 22, 1959, the single-track cableway has been taking mountain-enthusiastic athletes, nature enthusiasts or just day-trippers reliably up the mountain and back down into the valley. “After 60 years, the concession for the old railway expired, so we had to think about the future of the facility. There were several options for discussion - in the end we decided in favor of this type of renewal, ”said Markus Burtscher, Managing Director of Golm Silvretta Lünersee Tourismus GmbH, a 100 percent subsidiary of illwerke vkw AG.

More wind stability, higher capacity

After the decision had been made to completely refurbish the old railway, the starting shot for the construction of the new Lünerseebahn was given in September 2019. In this way, a completely new system was created in 8 months net construction time. “We only received the valley and mountain station buildings from the inventory. It was important to us to build on the existing building in terms of sustainability, ”explains project manager Gernot Burtscher. The drive for the system from the world market leader Doppelmayr / Garaventa is located in the mountain station. "Two suspension ropes instead of one now ensure a much higher wind stability" that helps us a lot, because in the mountains the wind sometimes whistles quite properly, "adds operations manager Roland Schallert. With a diameter of just under 5 centimeters, the ropes weigh almost 32 tons. Instead of the two original pillars, only a larger, around 28 meter high steel pillar was designed. Completely new is the 65-person cabin (instead of the previous 40), which scores as a special highlight with two windows embedded in the floor.

Up at lightning speed

With the help of the new lift, up to 475 people per hour can overcome the 411 meter difference in altitude from the head of the valley to the Lünersee. Once at the top, the magnificent mountain panorama inspires all visitors to the natural jewel, which was voted the most beautiful place in Austria in October 2019. “Renewing the Lünerseebahn was an exciting task. Having a workplace in one of the most beautiful places in Austria was a special bonus for our teams, ”says Gerhard Gassner, Managing Director of Doppelmayr Seilbahnen GmbH. "We are very pleased that we can finally transport our visitors upstairs again," said the newly nominated GSL Tourism Managing Director Judith Grass, "a fantastic hiking area opens up from the mountain station,

Focus on the health of visitors and employees

Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the opening ceremony will be postponed for the time being. The plant  startrf operating on August 8th, while observing the measures to protect the health of visitors and employees. For the time being, the maximum capacity per trip is limited to 40 people - in the gondola the regulations for public transport and therefore a mask requirement apply.

Project: Lünerseebahn in Brand, Vorarlberg (AUT)