Standseilbahn Urweid–Chapf

Standseilbahn Urweid–Chapf is one of the funiculars of Kraftwerke Oberhasli built for its hydroelectric plants at Grimsel, in the canton of Bern, Switzerland.[1][2][3] It leads from Üssri Urweid at 717 m to Chapf (or Wasserschloss Kapf) at 1320 m.[2] The line has a length of 1030 m[note 1] with a difference of elevation of 608 m[note 2] and a maximum slope of 100%.[1] The funicular has a single car for up to 12 persons[2][4] and is operated by an electric winch at the upper station.[2]

Standseilbahn Urweid–Chapf
Overview
Other name(s)Chapfbahn; Standseilbahn Urweid–Kapf; Standseilbahn Urweid–Wasserschloss
OwnerKraftwerke Oberhasli AG
LocaleInnertkirchen, Canton of Bern, Switzerland
Coordinates46°41′19″N 8°14′59″E / 46.6885°N 8.2497°E / 46.6885; 8.2497
Termini
Stations4
Service
TypeFunicular
Operator(s)Kraftwerke Oberhasli AG
Rolling stock1
History
Opened1 May 1940
(84 years ago)
 (1940-05-01)
Enhancements2005
Technical
Line length1,030 m (3,380 ft)
Number of tracks1
Track gauge1,000 mm (3 ft 3+38 in)
Electrificationfrom opening

History

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The funicular was built by Kraftwerke Oberhasli in 1940 at the construction of Kraftwerk Innertkirchen I (1939-1943), the first expansion of its Grimsel plant.[1]

It was considered of regional importance in Schweizer Seilbahninventar, the heritage inventory of Swiss cableways of 2011, among others due to the substantive parts preserved in its original state and its continued use.[2]

Notes

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  1. ^ Length found in sources: 996 m,[2] 973 m[4]
  2. ^ Difference of elevation also stated as 603 m[2][4]

References

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  1. ^ a b c Kaech, A.; Juillard, H.; Aemmer, F.; Jegher, W. (1942), "Das Kraftwerk Innertkirchen, die zweite Stufe der Oberhasliwerke", Schweizerische Bauzeitung (in German), 120 (3/4/5/6/18): 25–30, 36–40, 47–51, 61–66, 208–210. Notably p. 27 Standseilbahn zum Wasserschloss and ill. 2, 4, 5.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g Bannwart, Peter; Bloch, Erwin (2011), "BE-IK-3 Urweid - Chapf, Innertkirchen, Standseilbahn", Schweizer Seilbahninventar = Inventaire suisse des installations à câbles = Inventario svizzero degli impianti a fune [Swiss Inventory of Cableways] (in German), Federal Office of Culture
  3. ^ "12-SPB Üssri Urweid-Chapf (Grimsel)", Bergbahnen.org (in English and German)
  4. ^ a b c KWO Chapf Bahn