A new underground funicular is under construction in the Grödnertal (Val
Gardena) in Südtirol (Alto Adige). It will connect the lower end of the
Col Raiser aerial cableway (on the north side of the valley) with Rucia on the
south side, at the lower end of the Saslong world cup ski run (where also an
aerial cableway leads upwards). By now the ski areas are connected by busses.
It will be a classical funicular with two cars and a siding in the middle of
the 1246 m long line. Operating speed will be 10 m/s (36 km/h). Each car can
transport 140 persons, yielding a total capacity of 2000 persons per hour in
each direction. Opening is planned for christmas 2004.
<br>
This information board near the upper station at the Col Raiser aerial
cableway shows a drawing of one of the cars. Obviously it will not be
articulated, and there will be four compartments (most likely each one having
room for 35 persons). It seems that the cabs will be accessed through the
compartments, this is a bit unusual. Picture taken on 26 February 2004.
<p>
Digital photo by
<a href="http://www-users.rwth-aachen.de/christoph.schmitz2/index.html">Christoph
Schmitz</a>
(<a href="mailto:christoph.schmitz2@post.rwth-aachen.de">christoph.schmitz2@post.rwth-aachen.de</a>)