Now all the cards are face up on the table.
The Bad Kohlgruber municipal council was informed on Wednesday evening about the renovation of its nostalgic Hörnle suspension railway.
There are three options to choose from.
The special thing about them is that all of them allow you to retain the retro charm of the armchairs that are unique in the world.
Bad Kohlgrub
- only available in Bad Kohlgrub.
Is unique worldwide.
Railways with a so-called swivel chair were built only three times.
The last of them drives on the Hörnle in Bad Kohlgrub.
“An absolute rarity,” says Peter Glasl.
Even the expert is amazed, even though he has over 30 years of professional experience in the construction and restoration of small cable cars.
"But the Hörnle suspension railway is something very special." On Wednesday evening, Glasl presented the Bad Kohlgruber municipal council and numerous listeners with the possibilities of renovating the Kursaal.
All cards are now face up on the table, without exception.
The local council now not only knows the dimensions of a new building (costs around 21.5 million euros), but also the alternative.
Glasl, a graduate engineer and owner of the family business "enrope" from Wackersberg, took five days to do this.
He has inspected and analyzed the railway and studied reports.
He worked out three variants from his results.
A small cheap, a medium and a large version.
“However, there is a certain blurring here,” says Glasl.
Five days would not be enough to put the track through its paces.
"There would have to be much more detail." But he refers to three decades of experience, the numerous official notices of the past years and decades as well as discussions with technicians and electricians of the over 65 year old nostalgia swing.
"The versions roughly show the direction in which it can go."
The municipality can combine variants A, B and C as desired - similar to the modular principle.
"It only has to meet the official requirements." For example fall protection on the supports, weather protection at the valley and mountain stations.
Variant A (small solution)
At just 816,000 euros, variant A is the smallest.
The official requirements in terms of safety and employee protection are met, the quality for passengers is at least largely improved.
No more and no less.
Glasl plans to add 80 new chairs.
They can be done in a retro style.
"An improved replica of the original armchair." That means: The unusual swivel exit is retained.
For Glasl, the nostalgic charm could become a successful business model.
Even the Wackersberger quickly noticed that many passengers love the Kohlgruber Bahn as it is.
Mayor Franz Degele raves about this solution.
The possibility of being able to retain the special features of the historical armchairs is very exciting for him.
“We can keep the retro charm, but combine it with the security and comfort of modern times,” he sums up.
For example, he personally likes the fact that the armchairs are equipped with footrests.
"So far I have hated driving because my feet kept falling asleep."
That should be a thing of the past.
Of 80 new armchairs, 20 could be equipped with so-called hoods - a roof.
"Then guests drive even in bad weather," says Glasl.
However, only every fourth gondola would be covered - “the hoods cannot be placed on the retro version.” In addition, four detachable cargo gondolas for the transport of mountain bikes or catering for the inns are to be built.
In order not to leave the employees literally out in the rain, the plans provide for a roof over the valley and mountain stations.
Variant B (medium solution)
Variant B includes the entire package A.
However, with one decisive advantage: all maintenance measures that will arise in the next few years - for example the electronic control - will be carried out immediately.
“This gives the community greater planning security,” says Glasl.
Therefore Degele prioritizes this version.
“Then there are no nasty surprises,” he says.
An urgent repair could interrupt the service for an indefinite period in the middle of the strong summer season.
Variant B costs around 1.86 million euros.
However, since the maintenance costs of an estimated 450,000 euros are already included, the difference between the two variants is only 328,000 euros.
“Relatively speaking, that's okay,” says Degele.
Variant C (large solution)
At almost 2.5 million euros, variant C is by far the most expensive.
It not only combines A and B, but also includes a new valley station to top it off.
“I'm not sure we really need one,” puzzles Mayor Degele.
But those responsible should talk about this at length in the next few weeks and months.
The lift committee is now advising promptly about all variants, including the 21.5 million euro concept.
Ultimately, he will propose a variant, possibly insert or leave out building blocks, and then submit his concept to the local council.
