Groundbreaking project

The first tricable gondola lift in two stages using the environmentally friendly direct drive – this is only one of the technological innovations of the new gondola system which Leitner Ropeways will have in place on the Stubai Glacier by autumn 2015.

The contract placed by Wintersport Tirol AG & Co Stubaier Bergbahnen KG calls for Leitner Ropeways to construct a key connecting ropeway on the Stubai Glacier. The Eisgratbahn 3S gondola lift will be in operation throughout the year. It will represent a new technological generation, meeting the highest requirements of performance, cost-effectiveness and environmental sustainability. The first 3S gondola lift, with two connected stages, will go into service on October 31, 2015. The first stage has a inclined length of 1,852 meters for a vertical height of 542 meters, while the second stage rises 595 vertical meters over a distance of 2,240 meters. With 43 gondolas traveling at a line speed of 7 meters per second, the new ropeway will have a transport capacity of 3,000 passengers per hour.

Groundbreaking solutions

The Leitner direct drive is the only primary mover for ropeways that works without a main gearbox. The Stubai project will be the first time it has been incorporated in a tricable gondola lift. The Stubai installation also includes other advanced solutions: It has a fixed track and haul rope tension system, and the return station uses a single sheave. A further decisive advantage can be seen in the fully automatic carrier parking systems located in the bottom and top terminals and middle station. The integrated positive coupling system incorporated on the downhill line at the top terminal means that the new 3S no longer requires an additional safety section on the line.

Following the 3S gondola lifts on the Ritten near Bozen (Italy) and in Avoriaz (France), the contract for the Stubai Glacier is yet another forward-looking project for Leitner Ropeways. It shows that, even with state-of-the-art ropeway systems, improvements are still possible. "Thanks to our consistent and innovative research and development work, especially with regard to 3S stations, we can now present a new generation of this technology on the Stubai Glacier. Our efforts have been rewarded by the contract," says Michael Tanzer, Head of Sales Austria.

TECHNICAL DATA
Eisgratbahn 3S gondola (Project for 2015)

1st stage 2nd stage
Line length 1,852 m 2,240 m
Vertical rise 542 m 595 m
Drive direct drive direct drive
No. of carriers 20 23
Line speed 7.0 m/s 7.0 m/s
Rated capacity 3,000 P/h 3,000 P/h