Gaislachkoglbahn I + II
Technical pioneering achievement
When the two new sections of the Gaislachkoglbahn were built in 2010, it was a real sensation from both a technical and architectural point of view. At that time, no cable car could transport more than 3,000 people per hour and the architectural coordination of the mountain and valley stations was extremely unusual. However, the two sections of the Gaislachkoglbahn met all these requirements.
Did you know?
In winter 2009/10, construction of the new Gaislachkoglbahn began after the end of the season. The old mountain station was demolished by the end of April and the first pillar of the 3-S cable car was in place shortly afterwards. The massive third support followed at the end of June, while high-voltage cables and control lines had already been laid. Assembly by Doppelmayr was completed by October.
The third pillar of the 3-S cable car just before the mountain station is already recognisable from the valley floor as a structure of a completely different dimension. A few figures illustrate this:
-
Height: 37.1 metres
-
Saddle length: 40.5 metres
-
200 tonnes of steel
-
Support load corresponds to that of 39 conventional chairlift supports
The construction work
In July, the steelworkers began assembling the individual station areas. This required the utmost precision, as the prefabricated foils, which were then pulled over the steel skeleton, only allowed minimal tolerances in the millimetre range. The three stations could be seen in the flesh for the first time as early as mid-September.
To ensure that the 2010/11 winter season could start on schedule, both lifts had to turn for the first time at the end of October. However, there were still numerous steps to be completed before December, including adjustment work, internal inspections and official approval.
Comfort at all levels
The innovations in cable car technology also inspire skiers: the first section transports 3,600 people per hour, the second 1,850 - waiting times are a thing of the past. Comfort is also guaranteed: At the bottom station, access is easy via escalators or a lift, and at the middle station you can reach the second section directly without stairs or take a relaxed start on a gently sloping piste. The maiden voyage already showed that the cable car system at Gaislachkogl has the potential to become a new landmark for Sölden.
Good to know
Modern construction technology enables reaction to permafrost changes. When planning the mountain station at Gaislachkogl, special attention was paid to the challenges posed by permafrost. An innovative foundation concept at the drive station makes it possible to compensate for potential changes in the permafrost. The construction rests on 23 individually ventilated foundation elements, which are designed to prevent the ice from melting. However, if an individual foundation should melt, the support beam of the drive station remains stable. It is robust enough and can be adjusted and supported using hydraulic presses.
Electronic measuring systems record potential pressure changes in real time so that immediate action can be taken. The third support is based on a similar principle and can be readjusted by up to 50 cm thanks to its three-dimensional mobility.
Factbox
|
Gaislachkogl cable car I |
Gaislachkogl cable car II |
|
| Type | Monocable gondola | 3-S-gondola |
| Start height | 1.363 m | 2.176 m |
| End height | 2.175 m | 3.040 m |
| Height difference | 812 m | 864 m |
| Inclined position | 2.040 m | 1.978 m |
| Travelling time | 6,7 min | 5,5 min |
| Travelling speed | 6 m/s | 6 m/s |
| Delivery rate | 3.600 P/h | 1.850 P/h |
| Cabin capacity | 8 People | 28 People |
| Struts | 13 | 3 |
| Cabins | 107 | 15 |