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Mågelibanen
Tyssedal, Norway
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The funicular
(1)
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the north of Skjeggedal rises a steep mountain ridge. From
this ridge several pressure pipes lead water from the Hardangervidda
to the power stations. Sensible for funiculars you will pick
up the two straight lines leading up to uncertain targets
in the mountains. While the right (single track) funicular
is not open to public, the double track line to Mågelitopp
can transport a small amount of visitors. |
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The
first view of the funiculars.
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You
should arrive quite early (that means half an hour before
10 a.m.) to gain a seat in the first ascending car. Although
early enough we decided to wait till the second ride to
see what would happen on the somehow temporary looking funicular.
The whole line is arranged on a timber trestle work rising
approximately three metres over ground.
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the top end of the line cannot be seen..... |
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line starts at a low gradient, is steeper in the middle part
and flattens in the top station. Thus the longitudinal section
of this funicular is not ideal for operation. The cars will
run on walking speed till they enter the steep grade section.
There they are halted for some time to fade away vibrations
of the rope when being lifted from the pulleys moving the
car from the flat to the steep part of the line. Then the
ascent is continued. You might think "Now it is steep
enough!"; but you will reach the steepest part of the
line just before finish of the steep gradient. Then the car
is inclined at 42°. |
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While
the first car is going up, remainders seem to be quite happy not
to be under the first "guinea pigs".
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Note
the different sizes of rails on the left and right track.
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The
top station and the engine room behind the blue door..
Note the cable which is passing through the door.
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reach the top station after a ride of about 20 minutes. After
960 m (inclined length) Mågelitopp, 460m above Skjeggedal
emerges. The top station houses the driving motor. |
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behind the top station stretches a large rock plateau. |
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| Behind
the station a wide, flat rock plateau reaches to the north.
Some hiking targets are signposted. Hardly a walk can be done
below 4 hours (in one direction). But just in the vicinity
of the station a dignified panorama of rugged mountains obstructed
by passing damp frames the rock plateau thus marking the start
of wilderness. So you need not to walk for a long distance
to approach the area of "Friluftsliv" as Norwegians
would call it. Of course the spirit of this place and its
relatively easy availability led to the building of some holiday
homes ("Hytter") scattered around the site. |
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Gaining
a bit of wilderness Norwegians build their holiday houses on such
rugged places
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