Schilthornbahn: New Technical Director In Training
In July 2023, Ralph Darmstädter will take over the technical management of the Schilthornbahn from Bernhard Stucki. At the beginning of the year, Darmstädter will be responsible for the operational management of the cable cars. The ropeway specialist in training has been with the railway company since the beginning of August.
A number of changes are pending in the technology department of the Schilthornbahn AG: Ralph Darmstädter has been strengthening the technology team since the beginning of August and will take over the technical management from Bernhard Stucki in the future. He will have definitive responsibility as Technical Manager from July 2023.
The seamless handover of this management position is of central importance. Because in order to be allowed to operate a cable car at all, a technical director is required by law from the Federal Office of Transport. These specialists are responsible for the safe operation and maintenance of cable car systems. In addition to their managerial duties, they themselves are actively involved in railway operations. Darmstädter has numerous valuable basic requirements for this job profile. Born in Lenker, he already gained important experience during his first apprenticeship as an agricultural machinery mechanic: "The mechanical, hydraulic and electronic starting points that I gained in my basic technical training have proven to be extremely useful for working on an aerial cableway," Darmstädter looks back
Through the additional completion of various industry-specific further training courses in the fields of mechanical engineering (HF), electrical engineering and business administration (NDS) as well as management and management courses, he has further expanded his specialist knowledge over the years. The 39-year-old was also able to gather helpful know-how in previous positions: several years as Head of Technical Maintenance at Jungfrau Railways,
Challenging training to become a ropeway specialist
Darmstädter is currently completing the further training to become a ropeway specialist, which is required by the supervisory authority as the basis for taking over the technical management of a licensed ropeway. The further training is part-time and divided into several intensive block courses. After the first training block, including completion in November, Darmstädter will take over the operational management of the cable car department from Stucki in January 2023.
The handover will be staggered until July next year. A big advantage, because “the tasks that we face with the construction of the SCHILTHORNBAHN 20XX are gigantic. It's a huge challenge and at the same time a unique opportunity to be at the forefront of this generational project," says Darmstädter.
He was already allowed to work on the construction of a new shipyard in Thun and now it will be a new cable car. Exactly his thing! "My comfort zone begins at over 1,600 meters above sea level, I feel good in the mountains," confirms the Wilderswiler with a laugh.
In any case, Darmstädter prefers to be outdoors; preferably on skis in winter, on the bike in summer and last but not least he indulges in floorball all year round. The fact that he can combine this passion for the mountains and being outdoors with his job at the Schilthornbahn, combine craftsmanship with leadership responsibility and work in a team among people - that is what motivates the endurance athlete the most in his new job.
"I feel good in the mountains», the Wilderswiler laughs in confirmation. In any case, Darmstädter prefers to be outdoors; preferably on skis in winter, on the bike in summer and last but not least he indulges in floorball all year round. The fact that he can combine this passion for the mountains and being outdoors with his job at the Schilthornbahn, combine craftsmanship with leadership responsibility and work in a team among people - that is what motivates the endurance athlete the most in his new job.
