Cable:

• Diameter = 40 mm
• Six strands with 25 wires each (incl. six cored wires)
• Compacted with polypropylene inserts
• Right-hand lang lay
• 6.28 kg/m

Our machinery room, located in the machine house, houses the funicular's drive system consisting of the following main components:

• Two asynchronous three-speed motors producing 110 kW each, which move the sheave wheels via the drivetrain. An electronic management unit handles synchronisation.
• The two sheave wheels are mounted at a right angle to the direction of travel, so two deflecting pulleys change the orientation. The sheave wheels and deflecting pulleys are all four metres in diameter. Large loads (freight) can only be moved thanks to this space-saving configuration with the maximum cable wrap angle, thereby producing a substantial contact surface between the cable, the surface of the cable groove and the sheave wheel.

Operating brake and security brake, both of which function as a spring-loading brake. The brakes open hydraulically.

The switch type is named after its inventor,

Carl Roman Abt (born 16 July 1850 in Bünzen, died 1 Mai 1933 in Lucerne) was a Swiss engineer, inventor and entrepreneur. He came up with several ground-breaking solutions, such as the Abt system that applies cog and adhesion power for rack railways, and the "self-steering" switch used at Oberweissbach. In addition, he also oversaw the construction of 72 mountain railways around the globe, with Visp-Zermatt, Gornergrat, Furka and Monte Generoso being just some of his projects.

(Photo and information sourced from Wikipedia)

The passenger carriage, called "Wagon 1" by the funicular's crew, has undergone only minor modifications since the line opened in 1923. The changes were made at both ends, which were given a curved shape and larger windows. Reconstruction work in 2002 saw the addition of a platform for bicycles. It is attached to the chassis and offers space for 8 bikes.

Technical data

Called "Wagon 2", the freight platform is at the other end of the cable and was originally the most important part of the funicular. It was specially designed to carry freight wagons, but different kinds of passenger vehicles can also be mounted on it, a practice which started as long ago as 1923. This flexibility makes the Thüringer Bergbahn’s funicular unique. Today, the freight platform can carry either our closed or open-top wagon. These are the platform's usual loads, as it transports a freight wagon only when we give a demonstration.

All of the controls are in the platform itself, which means it can also work without carrying a carriage and simply transport employees. 

The closed carriage has been in use since 1972. A trailer wagon for the electric-powered railcar operating on the Schleiz-Saalburg line, its number is EB 188 513. It was altered for deployment on the funicular railway and sliding steps were fitted so that it reached the step-shaped platform at the Lichtenhain summit station, where the gap was about one metre. The 2002 reconstruction was intended to return it largely to its original form, but it also entailed installing an emergency escape ladder on one side in line with passenger safety requirements for funicular railways.

Technical data

Our "convertible" was fashioned from a service car that was once part of a construction works train, and now functions as the funicular railway's open-top carriage. "Wagon 3", as it is known, is designed to be mounted on the freight platform the same as the closed-top carriage. The fact that the Thüringer Bergbahn was designed to transport normal railway wagons – the only one in the world to do so – is what makes it possible to use these two carriages for transporting people. The open-top wagon is considerably longer than its closed-top mate, so it projects much further over the edge of the transporter platform. This means that passengers are even higher above the level of the tracks below, giving them an even more impressive view of their surroundings.

It is in use during good weather from May to October. Due to its structure, it does not operate if rain or thunderstorms are forecast.

Technical data