Cable car service
Map with all coordinates: 
The cable car service is a historical branch of service of the Swiss army , which had to ensure the unwound by military cableways passenger and freight transport. This included the creation of the infrastructure and its operation.
The cable car service with the cable car sappers was subordinated as a sub-genus of the genius troops (chief of genius in the army staff). The cable car service existed from 1940 to 1995.
history
Although the first military cable cars were used during the First World War ( Kuk Military Cable Cars , Luis Zuegg ), they were only used on a larger scale in the Swiss Army during the Second World War .
In the years 1921 to 1923, the Federal Military Department (EMD) bought and stored eight well-preserved Austrian cable cars that were offered to it. These were used in the 1940s for the Pragelpass , Risetenpass , Mörlialp -Marienthal and Ticino military cable cars.
From 1936, cable car specialists were divided into the sapper battalions . In 1936, the mountain sapper recruit school II / 36 built the first military cable car (two-way pendulum cable car from Odermatt, Engelberg) in Switzerland from Monte Ceneri-Strasse to the casemate on the motto Tornago . Before 1939, with the exception of the cable cars in the fortresses of St. Gotthard and Saint-Maurice , the army had no permanent cable cars.
In 1936, the cable car engineer Ernst Constam invented a deployable (mobile) cable car that could be driven by a truck whose tire rims were replaced by sheaves. Such mobile cable cars have been desired by the mountain troops for a long time in order to make the Rochade axes (alternative troop relocation) faster and safe in winter and in difficult (steep, rocky, pathless, no roads, etc.) and dangerous (avalanches, rockfalls, landslides, etc.) terrain use, the soldiers and train troops could not be overcome. In the 1930s Eisenwerke Oehler & Co., Aarau received an order from the federal government to develop and deliver military cable cars.
From September 1939 to June 1940 urgently needed cable cars were built by the troops on their own. In May 1940, the infantry colonel and cable car entrepreneur Alfred Oehler was appointed head of the new cable car service to build up the army's cable car service. The chief of genius issued the technical instructions for the army's cable car construction (procedure for system projects, inventory of available and deliverable systems).
From September 1939 to November 1940, 27 cable cars with a length of 57 kilometers were planned and built. In November 1943 there were 118 cable cars. One example is the Rochade axis from Giswil am Brünigpass to Sörenberg im Entlebuch , for which a winter-safe cable car connection has been created (Zimmerplatz – Talwald – Hohnegg – Schälf / Iwi (MSB 53/54) and Mörlialp – Winkelstation Glaubbielen –Habchegg in Mariental (MSB 50) ).
Another example is the transport chain for the transfer of the wounded from the military hospital in Lochezen near Walenstadt to bypass the blocked Kerenzerberg . The transport chain led with various military cable cars over the Riseten Pass (MSB 100) and the Pragel Pass (MSB 101) to the Muotathal .
Valley station of the Göschenen – Gütsch Z302 cable car
All'Acqua cable car - angle station Z307
Angular station - San Giacomo Z308
Top station of the Tschingel Artillery Works Z404
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The rapid establishment of the cable car service was only possible because the militia army was able to muster cadres and specialists from the cable car industry. For its part, the ropeway industry benefited from training and experience in military service.
After 1945 the around 100 mobile military cable cars were demolished, liquidated or stored. The fortress department took over 15 permanent military cable cars (Z cable cars), mainly in artillery fortresses. The fortress guard corps , founded in 1942 and disbanded in 2003, was responsible for 30 Z-cable cars. Other cable cars were operated by the Federal Office for Military Airfields (BAMF) and the Higher War Commissioner (OKK).
The cable car service branch created in 1940 was reorganized with the troop order in 1947 with a cable car service staff (17 men), cable car company 1 (222 men) and 33 auxiliary service (HD) cable car detachments (35 men each). In addition, sapper companies also practiced building ropeways.
The Gebirgsbrigade 12 had to develop access to a manganese ore deposit near Falotta in Oberhalbstein . For the transport, a cable car detachment built a cable car from Rona on Julierpassstrasse to Falotta within 14 days in 1944 .
The Mountain Army Corps created with Army 61 was assigned a cable car battalion (Seilb Bat 27, 553 men).
From 1982 onwards, the mobile military ropeways stored by the army in arsenals and no longer needed were sold to mountain farmers at low prices. A retired cable car engineer founded the military cable cars working group for mountain areas . Many mountain farmers could be helped in this way to protect the Alps from wilderness and de-aging . One example are the cable cars built by the troops in the Centovalli and Blenio valleys (ZP two-cable pendulum lifts of the former training park for HD cable car courses in Acquarossa ) in order to better develop the Alps. Or the transport train from Obermatt in Engelbergertal to the remote Alp Zingel, which was sold and installed by the army in 1999 .
Cable car service
The ropeway service staff had the task of organizing and administering the ropeway operations (specialist technology and operations): This included studies and projects for ropeway systems, construction and procurement of ropeway material with the KTA war engineering department, construction plans and construction supervision, repairs and maintenance, and supervision of operation and maintenance, including private cable cars that served the army, administration of three main material stores and the current disposition, maintenance and special credits. Recruitment, organization and training of the cable car troops, procurement of the technical corps material.
The actual cable car service was responsible for the construction and repairs of the infrastructure (cable car company) and the operation and maintenance (HD cable car operating detachments).
Route of the funicular railway Artillery Works Burg Z202
Route of the funicular railway Artillery Works Grimsel Z311
Military ropeways
The 1941 regulations set the standards for five types of cable car and a snowmobile winch: SU heavy orbit, LU light orbit, SP heavy aerial tramway, LP light aerial tramway, OP operation tramway (single rope aerial tramway), MSW snowmobile winch. The standards applied to material ropeways, and additional safety measures were required for military passenger transport.
A distinction was made between permanent, known as Z-cable cars, and mobile cable cars that were temporarily set up and operated by the cable car group. For the construction of the mobile railways, standardized cable car material was used, which was stored in the armories of the Alpine region.
| MSB and Z number |
route |
Type |
sec- tion |
Length meters |
unit |
Canton |
place |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bruson - Payannaz | SP | 1 | 1600 | Geb Br 10 | VS |
|
| 3 | Isérables - Croix de Cour | SP | 2 | 4300 | Geb Br 10 | VS |
|
| 4th | Gsteig - Sanetsch Pass | LP | 1 | 2000 | Div 1 | VS |
|
| 5 | Rawilpass | LP | 1 | 1100 | Div 1 | VS |
|
| 7th | Jaun - Euschel's fortress | LP | 1 | 2300 | Div 1 | FR |
|
| 8th | Pré Landon - Aiguille (AW Petit-Mont-Dailly "Forclettaz") | LP | 2 | Geb Br 10 | VS |
|
|
| 18th | Lochezen (military hospital) | St. | 1 | Festival Br 13 | SG |
|
|
| 19th | Rigel - Wiesli (Answiesen GR) | St. | 1 | Festival Br 13 | GR |
|
|
| 40 | Baumgartenalp - Leiterli | Sr | 1 | Div 8 | BE |
|
|
| 42 | Schaftelenmoos - Sattelpass (Flühli) | Sr | 1 | Div 8 | LU |
|
|
| 43 | Dürruteli - Knit Infantry Factory | Sr | 1 | Div 8 | LU |
|
|
| 44 | Risch - Infanteriewerk Schafschirmberg ( Faith Mountain ) | Sr | 1 | Div 8 | LU |
|
|
| 47 | Ruchschwand - Bärseli (Flühli) | Sr | 1 | Div 8 | LU |
|
|
| 48 | Kubel - Lohegg | Sr | 1 | Div 8 | BE |
|
|
| 49 | Klus - Schybegütsch | Sr | 1 | Div 8 | LU |
|
|
| 50 | Mörlialp - Glaubenbielen - Habchegg / Mariental LU | SU | 2 | 4400 | Div 8 | OW |
|
| 51 | Harzersboden ( 1125 m above sea level ) - Tannigsboden ( 1487 m above sea level ) (Habkern BE) | SP | 1 | 2400 | Div 8 | BE |
|
| 53 | Talalpeli - Schälf / Iwi ( 1237 m above sea level ) | LP | 1 | Div 8 | OW |
|
|
| 54 | Zimmerplatz ( 642 m above sea level ) - Talwald – Hohnegghütte ( 1227 m above sea level ) | SP / pc | 1 | Div 8 | OW |
|
|
| 55 | Chlyns Mittelbergli - Schafloch | SP | 1 | 1200 | Div 3 | BE |
|
| 56 | Weissenburgberg - Bergtürli - Chuelouenen (Därstetten) | LP | 3 | 6300 | Div 2 | BE |
|
| 57 | A short hop | LP | 1 | Div 2 | |||
| 58 | Oberwil - Nesseli - Widdergrind | LP | 2 | 2750 | Div 2 | BE |
|
| 59 | Wüstentobel - Richisalp | LP | 1 | 1000 | Div 2 / R Br 21 | BE |
|
| 63 | Moravian loft - field | LP | 1 | Div 4 | OW |
|
|
| 64 | Balismatt - Nätschen | LP | 1 | Div 4 | OW |
|
|
| 66 | Melchtal - Storeggpass - Grafenort ( Engelberg ) | LU | 3 | Div 4 | OW |
|
|
| 67 | Gschwend - Rigi Scheidegg | LP | 1 | Div 5 | SZ |
|
|
| 68 | Moraine ( Gasterntal ) - Sheep grind ( Kanderfirn ) | Sr | 1 | Div 2 | BE |
|
|
| 69 | Changewasser - Gfelalp - Leckboden - Mannli ( Lötschenpass ) | Sr / LP | 3 | Div 3 | BE |
|
|
| 70 | Heitiberg | SP | 1 | Div 3 | BE |
|
|
| 71 | Simmenfluh | LP | 1 | Div 3 | BE |
|
|
| 72 | Grön - Unterbergli | LP | 1 | Div 3 | BE |
|
|
| 73 | Bärenmatt - Stock ( Kandersteg ) | LP | 1 | Div 3 | BE |
|
|
| 74 | Zettenalp - Schafloch | Sr | 1 | Div 3 | BE |
|
|
| 75 | Klusalp - on the Egg | LP | 1 | Div 2 | BE |
|
|
| 77 | Aemsigenalp - Pilatus | OP | 1 | Div 4 | LU |
|
|
| 78 | Aemsigenalp - Tellenfad | OP | 1 | Div 4 | LU |
|
|
| 79 | Matthorn | LP | 1 | Div 4 | LU |
|
|
| 80 | Chriesiloch - Klimsenhorn | Sr | 1 | Div 4 | LU |
|
|
| 81 | Atzigen - Rengg | LP | 1 | Div 4 | LU |
|
|
| 89 | Charismatic stick | OP | 1 | ||||
| 90 | Lauibach - Schwandli | LP | 1 | ||||
| 93 | Büel - Chimmispitz (Landquart) | LP | 1 | Festival Br 13 | GR |
|
|
| 94 | Grünhag - Lerchenplatte - palm frieze | LP | 2 | Festival Br 13 | SG |
|
|
| 96 | Valens - Furggels fortress | OP | 1 | Festival Br 13 | SG |
|
|
| 98 | Guggstein (Oberschan) | LP | 1 | Festival Br 13 | SG |
|
|
| 100 | Unterrisetenalp (Chrauchtal) - Riseten Pass - Walabütz | SU | 2 | 5000 | Festival Br 13 | SG |
|
| 101 | Pragel Pass | SU | 3 | 9200 | Div 7 | SZ |
|
| 102 | Peil - Valserberg | SP | 1 | 2500 | Geb Br 12 | GR |
|
| 103 | Safien - Safierberg | SP | 1 | 1400 | Geb Br 12 | GR |
|
| 104 | Somvix | LP | 1 | Geb Br 12 | GR |
|
|
| 105 | Malans - Oberälpli | SP | 1 | Festival Br 13 | GR |
|
|
| 108 | Stelserberg | LP | 1 | Geb Br 12 | GR |
|
|
| 111 | Chrüz (Prättigau) | Sr | 1 | Geb Br 12 | GR |
|
|
| 112 | Rickental - Rindereggli | LU | 1 | Div 7 | SZ |
|
|
| 113 | Frog egg (pany) | LP | 1 | Geb Br 12 | GR |
|
|
| 114 | Floor (pany) | LP | 1 | Geb Br 12 | GR |
|
|
| 115 | Medical aid station Lochgraben - Geissberg | LP | 1 | Gz Br 5 | AG |
|
|
| 118 | Rona - Falotta | LP | 2 | Geb Br 12 | GR |
|
|
| 119 | Axalp | OP | 2 | Div 3 | BE |
|
|
| 120 | Tomils - Trans | LP | 1 | Geb Br 12 | GR |
|
|
| 121 | Thyon | OP | 1 | Div 2 | VD |
|
|
| 150 | Bistimatten - Bistenenpass (Simplonpass) | LP | 1 | 1400 | Geb Br 11 | VS |
|
| 151 | Ritti - Gebidem | SP | 1 | 2500 | Geb Br 11 | VS |
|
| 152 | Schrattenwald | LP | 1 | Geb Br 11 | VS | ||
| 153 | Lauwinen – Riedalp – Saflisch | LP | 2 | Geb Br 11 | VS |
|
|
| 156 | Gabi (Simplon axis) | LP / SP | 1 | Geb Br 11 | VS |
|
|
| 157/174 | Oberstafel - Cavannapass - Ronggergrat ( 2728 m above sea level ) | LP | 2 | 1700 | Div 9 | UR |
|
| 158 | Bedretto - Val Torta (Cristallina) | SP | 2 | 4100 | Div 9 | TI |
|
| 161 | Schöllenen power plant | St. | 1 | Div 9 | UR |
|
|
| 163 | All'Acqua - Rotondo | SP | 1 | Div 9 | TI |
|
|
| 169 | Oberwald VS - Grimselhospiz (Sections A – D) | SP | 4th | BBB | VS |
|
|
| 170 | Roveredo GR - Cadolcia | SP | 1 | Div 9 | TI |
|
|
| 172 | Realp - Fuchsegg | SU | 1 | BBB | UR |
|
|
| 173 | Maigelspass | LP | 1 | Div 9 | UR |
|
|
| 176 | Siedelen - Furkablick | LP | 1 | Div 9 | UR |
|
|
| Z101 / 11 | Follatères artillery plant | LP | 1 | 395 | Geb Br 10 | VS |
|
| Z102 | Savatan Fortress - Dailly | St. | 1 | 560 | Geb Br 10 | VS |
|
| Z103 | Arsenal du Scex - Galerie du Scex | LP | 1 | 180 | Geb Br 10 | VS |
|
| Z104 / 10 | Cindey Fortress | LP | 1 | 180 | Geb Br 10 | VS |
|
| Z106 | Vernayaz Infantry Plant | LP | 1 | 105 | Fest Br 10 | VS |
|
| Z201 / 46 | Legi - Schmockenfluh | St. | 1 | 85 | Div 3 | BE |
|
| Z202 | Burgfluh artillery plant | St. | 1 | 205 | R Br 21 | BE |
|
| Z203 / 83 | Wolfenschiessen - Wissiflue | St. | 1 | 650 | Div 4 | NW |
|
| Z204 | Blattiberg artillery plant | St. | 1 | 430 | R Br 22 | NW |
|
| Z205 | Atzigen - Renggpass | OP | 1 | R Br 22 | NW / OW |
|
|
| Z207 | Artillery plant Klein Durren | LP | 1 | 1210 | R Br 22 | NW |
|
| Z208 | Hirsegg infantry factory | St. | 1 | 245 | R Br 22 | LU |
|
| Z2xx | Heinrich command post | St. | 1 | 200 | R Br 21 | BE |
|
| Z2xx | La Braye artillery plant | St. | 1 | R Br 21 | FR |
|
|
| Z2xx | Le Tosse artillery plant | St. | 1 | Div 1 / R Br 21 | FR |
|
|
| Z301 / 110 | Isleten Artillery Plant | St. | 1 | 70 | Div 5 | UR |
|
| Z302 / 160 | Göschenen - Gütsch | SP | 1 | 2540 | Div 9 | UR |
|
| Z304 | Furka - Reduit | LP | 1 | 710 | Festival Br 23 | UR |
|
| Z305 | Ossasco - Cassinello | LP | 1 | 2750 | Div 9 | TI |
|
| Z306 | Cassinello - Val Torta | LP | 1 | 1805 | Div 9 | TI |
|
| Z307 / 165 | All'Acqua angle station | LP | 1 | 1440 | Div 9 | TI |
|
| Z308 / 165 | Angle station - San Giacomo | LP | 1 | 1310 | Div 9 | TI |
|
| Z309 | Artillery Fort Magadino | St. | 1 | 100 | Div 9 | TI |
|
| Z311 / 168 | Sommerloch Artillery Works Grimsel | St. | 1 | 540 | Geb Br 11 | BE |
|
| Z312 | Crap Bargatzi Infantry Plant (Trin GR) | LP | 1 | Geb Div 12 | GR |
|
|
| Z313 | Angular station - Grandinagia | LP | 1 | 125 | Festival Br 23 | TI |
|
| Z316 / 164 | Andermatt - Bäzberg | LP | 1 | 990 | Festival Br 23 | UR |
|
| Z401 / 99 | Lüsis - Nideri Infantry Factory | LP | 1 | 975 | Festival Br 13 | SG |
|
| Z402 / 107 | Ragnatsch - palm frieze | SP | 1 | 3045 | Festival Br 13 | SG |
|
| Z403 / 106 | Fläsch - Fläscherberg | LP | 1 | 905 | Festival Br 13 | GR |
|
| Z404 / 97 | Tschingel artillery plant | LP | 1 | 195 | Festival Br 13 | GR |
|
| Z406 / 95 | Stägentobel - Girenfürggli (Schuders) | LP | 1 | Festival Br 13 | GR |
|
literature
- Alfred Oehler: The military cable cars of the Swiss Army in the World War 1939 to 1945 . Schweizerische Bauzeitung, Volume 127/128 1946, Issue 7.
- Hans Richard, Jürg Keller: Military cable cars / Téléfériques militaires . Association of Historical Military Facilities Freiburg / Bern VH + MA, annual issue 2016.
Web link
Individual evidence
- ^ Alfred Oehler: The military cable cars of the Swiss Army in World War I 1939 to 1945. Schweizerische Bauzeitung, Volume 127/128 1946, Issue 7
- ↑ Military cable cars for mountain farmers. Pioneer: magazine for the transmission troops. Volume 57, 1984 issue 1
- ^ Hans Richard, Jürg Keller: Military cable cars / Téléfériques militaires. Association of Historical Military Facilities Freiburg / Bern, annual issue 2016
- ↑ Fortress Oberland: Military cable cars of all kinds
- ↑ Fortress Oberland: 3rd Division, Combat Group High Alps