Limmern pumped storage plant: New passenger cableway goes into operation

28.05.2019 - Axpo has achieved another milestone at the Limmern pumped storage plant (PSWL): In June, the new aerial cableway between Linthal-Tierfehd and Kalktrittli will go into operation running on the track formerly used by the dismantled construction cableway 1. The passenger cableway is equipped with the latest technology enabling unmanned operation and monitoring from the power plant control centre.

Just in time for the start of the summer season at the Muttsee SAC hut, which will, weather permitting, open its doors in June, hikers and nature lovers in the Canton of Glarus can take the new passenger cableway to Kalktrittli on their way to the lakes Limmernsee and Muttsee and further over the Kistenpass to Surselva. The new two-track aerial cableway has two cabins, each with space for eight passengers, and runs in self-operation mode monitored and controlled from the power plant control centre of Kraftwerke Linth-Limmern AG (KLL). The cableway is expected to be in operation over the summer months well into October if weather conditions permit.

Intermediate stop as a technical challenge

The new cableway runs on the track of the old construction cableway 1 that was erected in 2009 for the building of the Limmern pumped storage plant. The concrete foundation and masts were reused for the new cableway. In addition, standard rail elements from the company Inauen-Schätti AG have been installed. A special, major challenge during construction of the new cableway was the technical design of the intermediate stop at pillar 1 used by KLL employees and alpine farmers: It required the installation of an additional holding brake at the mountain station. KLL's investment costs for the construction of the new cableway amounted to about CHF 2.6 million. Dismantling of the old cableway started in April and is expected to be completed by the end of September 2019. Costs will amount to about CHF 0.5 million. Remodelling and assembly work for the new cableway took about six months from the beginning of August 2018 until the end of January 2019.

From 807 metres a.s.l. to 1860 metres a.s.l. in just 7.5 minutes

The new passenger cableway between the valley station in Linthal-Tierfehd (807 metres a.s.l.) and the mountain station in Kalktrittli (1860 metres a.s.l.) overcomes a height difference of 1053 metres on a track that is nearly 1950 metres long. The journey only takes about 7.5 minutes. The cableway can transport 64 passengers per hour and direction.

Tickets can be purchased at the ticket vending machine at the valley station. Tickets cost between CHF 5 (one way) and CHF 7 (round trip) for children (aged 6 - 16) and CHF 10 (one way) and CHF 15 (round trip) for adults. The cableway is in operation from 7:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and from 1:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Popular visitors’ tours

In the first calendar year since its introduction, the visitors' offering around the Limmern pumped storage plant has met strong interest: Approx. 7,000 visitors took advantage of the opportunity to tour the caverns of the pumped storage plant located inside the mountain. In addition to numerous companies, associations, ETH students, universities or vocational schools interested in group tours, individuals are also booking the tours to get a look at the core of the plant.

Visitor numbers are positive again for 2019 – and proof that this offering is added value for the region. The most popular months are May/June and September, and accordingly tours during this time are sold out quickly. To accommodate the strong interest, Limmern pumped storage plant tours are offered from Wednesday through Sunday from May to September. During other months, tours take place from Wednesday through Saturday.

Tickets for tours of the Limmern pumped storage plant can be booked on the KLL ticket platform.