They are the hallmark of the railway: the swivel chairs. © Antonia Reindl
It is a major project that Bad Kohlgrub is facing. The Hörnle suspension railway is being renovated. This devours millions.
Bad Kohlgrub - It has cult status: The Hörnle suspension railway is popular, especially because of its retro charm. For this reason, it is to be preserved during the renovation of the almost 70-year-old plant. The swivel chairs remain, only the direction of rotation changes. "You go up to the right and down to the left," announced Mayor Franz Degele at the citizens' meeting. This would result in advantages in the phase-out. The costs are estimated at around two million euros. The mayor cited the construction of the new mountain station, the extensions to the valley station, the new electrical control system and the load gondolas for material transport as the main investments.
Offers and plans for the individual trades are available. The procedure also includes commissioning an accompanying landscape conservation plan. "You can't do without it," Degele emphasized. This has already been done. This and the other plans will be coordinated with the district office, cable car supervisor and TÜV in order to obtain the necessary permits. The first measures have already been taken. For example, the foundations of individual supports were taken care of. Others will follow in-house during the autumn revision. The renovation is scheduled to be completed in early summer 2025. Until then, those responsible are pursuing one goal: to avoid the standstill of the track in the high season. The work is scheduled to take place from October or November to May. "These," Degele clarified, "are not such strong months."
