Text and Photos Michel Azéma
Centre for Alternative Technology
Machynlleth, Wales
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Centre for Altern. Techno
Presentation
The water
Not so simple!
The carriages
Technical datas
The only modern water operated funicular
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The water  

The lake
The Centre for Alternative Technology is located at the top of the hill. There, a lake, fed by the runoff of the rains, is used as a water reservoir for the funicular.
The water is brought to the top station and then two pipes bring the water to the water tanks under each car. Each tank can contain up to 1600 litres.

The top station.
Two pipes bring the water
from this small reservoir
to the water feeds. Note that the run-off of the water from the roof if poured into the reservoir.




One of the two water feeds.
The opening and closing
of the pipe is operated
by an hydraulic jack.

Automatic water feeding
The Centre for Alternative Technology funicular uses the additional method. To move the cars, the upper car must be heavier than the bottom car. If not, the correct amount of water is added in the tank of the upper car until the car begins to move. This operation is automatic. It is controled by a computer at the top station using the pull of the cable on the winding drum.
The winding drum and the control system which
detects the pull of
the cable when the
drum moves.
Unloading water
When the car arrives at the bottom station, it stops close an hydraulic jack. Then the jack is automatically activated to press and open the small door of the water tank. All the water is poured into a reservoir below the bottom station.
The water of this reservoir is put back up to the top reservoir by an hydraulic pump. During summer time with the big amount of visitors and the less number of rain the water of the lake may lacks.
Oldissues Index
 
Centre for Altern. Techno
Presentation
The water
Not so simple!
The carriages
Technical datas
 
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