The Stanserhorn Bahn
Canton of Nidwalden, Switzerland
Three funiculars for one !
Located at Stans, south of the Lake of Lucerne (Vierwaldensee),
the Stanserhorn is a 1898m summit. The funicular was built in 1892 and
1893. The distance was too long to reach the summit from Stans with one
funicular, so it was decided to divide the distance in three sections,
in fact three concatenated funiculars and two intermediate stations for
transfers between the sections!
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The old time carriage
of the first section. ( May 1992)
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The first section, from Stans (alt. 450m) to Kälti (alt.714m), rises
gently (17%) through fields and pastures. There are thre level crossings
in the middle of this section, which is pretty rare in the Funiculars
World!
The second section runs entirely through the forrest into a narrow pass
with a 52,5% gradient. When the line emerges from the forrest, it arrives
at the Blumatt transfer station (alt. 1221m).
From this point, the third section climbs through the pastures like a
big S with a 63% average gradient. The line goes through a tunnel (length
140m) before reaching the top of the mountain arriving at the basement
of the Stanserhorn Hotel (alt. 1851m).
In 1974, a big storm striked the hotel which was completly destroyed as
was the engine of third section. The use of the funicular
was stopped. An aerial cable way (teleferic) was built between Kätli
and the summit to completly replace the second and third sections which
were left as they were. In 1975, the Stanserhon Bahn restarted with only
two sections: Stans-Kätli with the last funicular section and Kätli-Stanserhorn
with the aerial cable way.
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The old time carriage
of the first section. ( May 1992)
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The old time carriage
of the first section. ( 12 April 2003)
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Actual state
Today, the first section is still in use with the original wooden
cars. Remains of the two other funiculars sections are still visible,
quite intact. Rails and sleepers are still there, the cables and their
rollers were removed.
The second section is completly covered by the vegetation. The building
of the Blumatt transfer station is intact. Two original cars are still
under the roof covering the transfer platforms but without any wooden parts.
The engine and the pulleys were removed and are now displayed on the
top of the Stanserhorn near the restaurant which replaced the hotel.
The third section has some small walls (dams) across the track to prevent
avalanches. The tunnel is obturated.
As funicular lovers we may regret that an aerial cable way was
choosen in the 70's instead of rebuilding of the funicular sections.
The teleferic is the main predatory of the funicular, but without
its charm and attraction.
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The bottom station of
the first section at Stans. ( 12 April 2003)
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See the footpath covering
the tracks of the unused second section ( May 1992 )
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At the top, the wooden
teeth of the engine wheels are displayed for the tourits. On
the right, the Titlis.
( May 1992 )
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The tunnel of the third section. (
May 1992 )
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The aerial
cable way at the top station (12 April 2003)
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The new revolving restaurant at the
Stanserhorn summit ( 12 April 2003 )
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The Stanserhorn 1898 m ( 12 April 2003 ) |
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Blumatt station 1221 m ( May 1992 ) between the
disused second and third sections . Note the two old carriages under
the roof of the transfer station. |
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Blumatt station 1221 m ( 12 April 2003 ). Note that one
carriage has disapeared under the roof! |
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The asymmetrical passing loop of the first section. Note
the level crossing in the foreground. ( 12 April 2003 ) |
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The aerial cable way which replaces the second and third
funicular sections. Note, on the backgroung, the first section. (May
1992 ) |
June 30, 2012
Opening of the new Stanserhorn aerial cable car.
it is quite a revolutionary aerial cable car: the CabriO® from Garaventa.
The CabriO® is a Funifor aerial cable car composed of double deck cabins. The top deck is an open air deck on which the passengers are able to feel the sheer drop and the fresh air. The open deck communicates to the bottom deck with a little stair. The open deck has a capacity of 30 passengers and 60 passengers for the bottom deck.
The CabriO®, as every Funifor, is suspended onto two carrying cables and pulled by two tractor cables. The cabins are not suspended anymore but they are supported by the cables which are at the middle level between the two decks.
Videos of the Stanserhorn Bahn and the CabriO Bahn (July 9, 2012) (Videos Michel AZEMA)
MAP
Technical Datas
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1st Section A |
2nd Section B |
3rd Section C |
| Start |
1893 |
1893 |
1893 |
| End |
---- |
1974 |
1974 |
| Status |
 |
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|
| Type of funicular |
 |
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|
| Type of tracks |
 |
|
|
| Energy |
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| Length |
1550m |
1090m |
1275m |
| Lower station Alt. |
Stans 450m |
Kätli 714m |
Blumatt 1221m |
| Upper station Alt. |
714m |
1221m |
Stanserhorn 1851m |
| Diff. of levels |
264m |
507m |
630m |
| Aver. Gradient |
17% |
52,5% |
63% |
| Time |
9' |
18'> |
21,5' |
| Speed |
9m/s |
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|
| Manufacturer |
Von Roll |
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Since 1975, these 2 sections have been replaced by an
aerial cable way. |
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