Standseilbahn Lochezen

Standseilbahn Lochezen is an inclined lift at Lochezen on Walensee, Switzerland.[1][2][3] It was built in 1956 to provide access from the lake shore at 425 m to the limestone quarry at 575 m.[3] With a length of ca. 200 m[note 1], the lift climbs a difference of elevation of 150 m[note 2] at an incline of 89%.[4] The open platform is pulled by a winch above the upper station.[4]

Standseilbahn Lochezen
The lower station in 2018
Overview
StatusIn operation
LocaleQuarten, Canton of St. Gallen, Switzerland
Service
Typeindustrial funicular (inclined lift)
Operator(s)See Kies AG (in 2001); Cement- und Kalkfabrik Unterterzen A.G. (1956-1995)
Rolling stock1
History
Opened1956
(68 years ago)
 (1956)
Technical
Line length240 m (790 ft)
Number of tracks1
Track gauge2970 mm[1]
Electrificationfrom opening
Maximum incline89%

The quarry was exploited by Cement- und Kalkfabrik Unterterzen A.G. in 1956, later by See Kies AG.[4] After closure of the quarry, the site was used for testing by Geobrugg AG.[4]

In 2011, the installation was included as a funicular of regional interest in the Swiss heritage registry of cableways, Schweizer Seilbahninventar, for its mostly original state and importance to the site for which it was built.[4]

Notes

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  1. ^ Stated length varies: [4][3] have 240 m, [1] 218 m
  2. ^ Stated difference of elevation varies: [3][2] have 150 m, [4] 160 m

References

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  1. ^ a b c "8880.01 Walenstadt Lochezen - Steinbruch", Standseilbahnen.ch (in German)
  2. ^ a b Azéma, Michel, "Lochezen", Funimag
  3. ^ a b c d "SPB Lochezen", Bergbahnen.org (in German and English)
  4. ^ a b c d e f g Bannwart, Peter; Bloch, Erwin (2011), "X007 Lochezen, Walenstadt, Standseilbahn - Seilbahninventar", Schweizer Seilbahninventar (in German, French, and Italian), Federal Office of Culture