Engineering Wonders of the World
Volume I

THE WETTERHORN ELECTRIC AERIAL RAILWAY. 191 Electric Power Supply. de Berne, to whom we are indebted for the accompanying striking photographs and also for particulars of the enterprise —a temporary aerial cableway was erected between the de- parture and Enge stations for the transport of the building material needed at the latter point; while the heavy track tion, and are fitted with, every possible mechanism to ensure safety in transit. The brakes, of a special type, are particularly powerful, and capable of holding the car on the steepest sections of the line. The pro- vision and testing of the brakes constituted one of the most important features of the installation, since it was realized that the INTERIOR OF POWER-HOUSE, SHOWING LARGE DRUMS ON WHICH THE CABLES ARE WOUND. cables were hauled up from the lower ter- minus by means of a powerful windlass in- stalled at Enge. The distance between the two stations, some 1,300 feet, is negotiated by a single span, the alignment of the cable representing a gradient of about 80°. The motive power requisite for operating the rail- way is drawn from the Grindelwald power- station, itself supplied from a hydro-electric station on the Black Lutschine River. The power is transmitted to the Enge station by three overhead conductors carried on wooden piers. The cars themselves give accommodation for ten persons. They are of light construc- brakes would have to be of exceptional strength. During the ascent the passenger obtains a magnificent view over the glacier beneath; and the situation of the upper terminus at Enge makes it easy to reach points from which striking panoramas over the surrounding mountain peaks may be gained. Looking down from the upper sta- tion on to the terminus below, one obtains some idea of the engineering wonders of this unique line. It appears to drop precipitously down the mountain side. Although at the time of writing the railway has been in operation for but a few months, its commercial success would seem to be assured,