Hammetschwand Elevator

The Hammetschwand lift is the highest outdoor elevator in Europe and is located in Switzerland. He connects the spectacular rock with the viewpoint Hammetschwand ( 1,132 m above sea level. M. ) on the guarantor floor. The lift itself is built on the territory of the canton of Lucerne in the exclave guarantor floor, whereas the plateau of the guarantor stick to Canton Nidwalden heard.

History

The elegant spa guarantor floor, with excellent views to 874 m above sea level. M. on Lake Lucerne ( 433.6 m above sea level. M. ) since 1872, was a popular resort for the wealthy. The hotelier and railway pioneer Franz Josef Bucher -Durrer let beat an attractive walk in the rocks of the steep to Lake Lucerne sloping northern flank of the Bürgenstock 1897-1902. From Känzeli where the cliff ends, an open outdoor elevator was built to Hammetschwand 1903-1905 as another attraction finally. It was built of the 153 meter high Hammetschwand lift from the company Löhle jr. from Kloten. When commissioning in 1905 and the trip took almost three minutes the lift reached a speed of about one meter per second, the ride was very unsteady due to voltage fluctuations. The eight people comprehensive car (600 kg max load) was made of wood and was studded with zinc sheet.

A first profound remodeling took place in 1936 by the then resident in Lucerne limited partnership Schindler & Cie.. , Together with the competent technical staff for the lift of the hotel owner. Schindler gave a new, twelve comprehensive light metal cabin for the lift. In addition, tower, guide rails and drive have been strengthened in order to increase the running speed of 2.7 meters per second. Target the latter measure was to surpass the 2.3 m / s quick lift in Berlin's bell tower and thus the title of " fastest elevator in Europe " to keep.

The plant was 1959/1960 restored a second time, while the tower was again reinforced, renewed the corrosion protection and installed a modern lift with gently drive controlled acceleration process. With these measures, moreover, the speed was increased to an impressive four meters per second. Another partial renovation was done in 1981.

After 85 years of operation and about 4 million passengers, the authorities demanded in 1990 a general renovation of the facility or otherwise to cease operation. Since the general renovation financially exceeded the capabilities of the lift owner contacted you in search of a solution, in turn, Schindler elevators. Since the operative preservation of distinctive lift system was also in the interest of Schindler, agreement was reached on the establishment of a new joint operating company that would take over the general refurbishment. In July 1990, the Hammetschwand Lift Inc. was based in Ennetburgen, registered in the Commercial Register of the Canton of Nidwalden and rehabilitation of the plant are taken by the hand. As part of the work and the valley station lying in a rock cavern has been extended for the first time, among other things. The new, three-sided glazed panoramic cab of Schindler again takes twelve people (900 kg max load) and was specially designed as a weather- proof design due to the open lattice tower.

After completion of the renovation work of the Hammetschwand lift was re-opened at the beginning of the summer season in April 1992. With the new plant with a glazed cabin, the speed was reduced to 3.15 meters per second, so the view from the cab and the ride back more to herself at the center. Hardly noticeable new comfort feature is also used in the large cable lengths, load-dependent cabins readjustment at a standstill; the lift has wheelchair access since the rebuild.

Plant

The filigree metal lattice tower has a floor area of 2 × 2 meters, including the top 119 meters high and is mounted on a 45 meter high rock shaft. The lift access, the engine room and the first 14 meters of this shaft are completely inside the mountain, while the following 31 meters of the rock shaft to the front providing views of Lake Lucerne. The base station is located on the cliff at 961.6 m above sea level. M., the mountain station on the Hammetschwand to 1'114, 4 m above sea level. M., in between the lift overcomes the difference in height of 152.8 meters ( operational length ), while the height of the entire system from the base station is 164.1 feet to the spire.

The whole trip takes about 50 seconds and then you have unrestricted by the Hammetschwand view of Lake Lucerne, the prevailing here foothills and a part of the Alps. At dusk 16 fixed to the lattice tower lights are turned on, whereby the plant - is visible at night - on a clear day.

Trivia

In the vernacular of the lift is sometimes called Lucerne minaret.