This past summer, the Swiss Gelmer Funicular was extensively renovated. This is a 90 year old funicular that began operation in 1926 in the valley known as Haslital in the canton of Bern. Originally, the work line was constructed to transport material to build the wall of the Lake Gelmer dam and the water supply line for the Handeck power plant. Since opening for tourism in 2001, it has enjoyed growing popularity among young and elderly alike. As a result, the Gelmer Funicular is used by up to 45,000 passengers a year. Since the funicular continues to serve as a work line, part of the logistics infrastructure of the Grimsel power plant, it was decided that the system should undergo a complete renewal. After converting the electric drive in 2001, the intensified usage of the line was seen to justify more comprehensive work. And so it was that at the start of the season, on 3 June of this year, both the open winch drive and the machine foundation in the building of the summit station were renewed. As part of this renewal, the winch drive, including the gearbox and the service and safety brakes, the towrope was also changed. The consensus was that the towrope used should feature interior copper cores so that the line guide along the track could be removed. Together with our partner of many years, the Swiss Jakob AG, we have agreed to deliver a 10 strand winch rope with the requisite internal copper cores. This is a modified CASAR Superplast8 with a nominal diameter of 38 mm and a total length of 1,100 m.

The term “modified” in this case means that the core strand was replaced by the electric lead while the intermediate strands, that is the outer strand layer of the core rope, have been retained. This brings with it two decisive advantages for the line operator.