Text and Photos Michel Azéma

Funicular in the Highlands

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CairnGorm
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Paradox
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Description (2)
 Cairn Gorm
Scotland
 

 

Description (2)

 

 
Interior of the carriage.
The carriage is 3,2 meters wide with a 2 meters track gauge.
Such a width allows a great capacity and also increase the resistance to the wind which is very strong on the Cairn Gorm.
 
 
 
 
 




 
The control compartment of the carriage.
For security reason there are two operators in each carriage, one in the control compartment at the top of the carriage, the second in the first passenger compartment.
 
 
 
 
 




 
Arrival of the carriage at Ptarmigan top station (1100m).
On the photo the carriage is stopped at the Shop and Exhibition stop, a few meters before the end of the line.
 
 
 
 
 



 
The engine room at the Ptarmigan top station. Braking is operated through two service disk brakes.
 
 
 
 
 



 
During my visit I was surprised with this manual clutch. It is a Diesel hydraulic powered emergency drive. In case of main power failure this emergency drive is manually operated to move back the carriages to the stations. I had confirmation that this mechanism need a light touch operator!
On 29th March 2002 there was a power failure when the carriages were in the middle of the line. The carriages were moved back to the stations with this emergency drive. But there was a sharp and sudden stop when the carriage hit the buffers. Seven passengers were injured.
 
 
 
 
 




 
Technical Datas  
Start
24 Dec 2001
End
...
Status
Type of funicular
Type of tracks
Energy
Bottom station
Day Lodge (610 m)
Top station
Ptarmigan (1100 m)
Length
1950 m
Gauge
2 m
Diff of levels
490 m
Maximum Gradient
40 %
Number of cars
2
Capacity
120 passengers/car
Maximum Speed
10 m/s
Manufacturer
Doppelmayr
Carriages
Gangloff
Electronics
Frey AG Stans
 
CairnGorm Mountain Ltd.
CairnGorm Ski Area
Aviemore, PH22 1RB
Scotland

Tel: (+44) 1479 861261
Fax: (+44) 1479 861207
mail@cairngormmountain.com

 

 

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