Marble road in Laas – technological wonder of the world, Part 4

After 78 years the method remains the same! The guide conductor of the wagon gives an OK signal to the operator at the upper station
© Wolfgang Morscher, 3 August 2007

Funicular railway in Laas, engine house of upper station
Constructed by "Adolf Bleichert and Co. AG", Leipzig, 1929, extant in original state
The winding drum has a diameter of 6 m. There are always three and a half wraps of pulling cable on the drum
© Hubert Tscholl, 2007

An empty platform descending
The Bleichert Company’s nameplate is visible
Very impressive because of its uniqueness and perfect condition! That is why it is not only the author of this article who considers it to be a “technological wonder of the world”
© Wolfgang Morscher, 3 August 2007

Daily routine of the funicular in Laas
© Wolfgang Morscher, 3 August 2007

The conductors casually change platforms on the funicular in Laas
The loads stop halfway and each conductor changes platforms and returns to his own station
The double section track passing place of the funicular was a great invention, which due to its simple construction has remained in operation for many years
© Wolfgang Morscher, 3 August 2007

Daily routine of the funicular in Laas – a marble block being lowered to the valley
© Wolfgang Morscher, 3 August 2007

Funicular railway track in Laas
One more proof of the exceptional precision of this technological wonder:  
The platforms have been transporting tons of marble on the funicular railway in Laas every day for more than 78 years
So smooth and efficient is the operation that even the rails on the most difficult part of the track show minimal signs of wear or damage.
© Wolfgang Morscher, 3 August 2007

Further to Part 5

We will be glad upon your questions and opinions to this topic in our Forum!

© Wolfgang Morscher and Hubert Tscholl, February 2008