U-Bahn Serfaus
U-Bahn Serfaus | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Overview | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Locale | Serfaus, Austria | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Transit type | Funicular | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Number of lines | 1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Number of stations | 4 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Operation | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Began operation | 14 December 1985 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Operator(s) | Seilbahn Komperdell GmbH | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Technical | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
System length | 1.3 km (0.81 mi) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Electrification | 950 V AC OHLE | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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The U-Bahn Serfaus (until 2019 Dorfbahn Serfaus, lit. 'Serfaus Village Railway') is an underground air cushion funicular people mover system in the Tyrolian village of Serfaus in Austria.
Overview
Serfaus is a busy ski resort, and during the season has to cater for large numbers of skiers. The slopes are accessed by a cable car and a gondola lift, whose lower stations are situated at one end of the village's main street. A large car park is located at the other end of this street, and the Dorfbahn connects the two, allowing the conversion of the village into a car-free zone. Besides the two terminal stations at Seilbahn (cable car) and Parkplatz (car park), there are two intermediate stations in the village centre.[1]
The line was built in 1985 by the Freissler-Otis company, and began operation on 14 December that year, with its official opening taking place on 16 January the following year. It consists of a single, 1,280 m (4,200 ft) one-track line, with a single train operating on a shuttle basis. The train comprises two cars, is suspended on an air cushion, and is moved by a funicular haulage system. The tunnel is 3.24 m (10.6 ft) wide and 3.52 m (11.5 ft) high. The train can carry 390 people, and travels at a speed of 40 km/h (25 mph).[2]
During the winter season the line operates between 07:45 and 18:45, and between 07:45 and 17:30 or 18:15 in the summer. A single journey takes 7 minutes, with the intermediate stations served only in the respective main load direction (in the morning toward Seilbahn, in the afternoon toward Parkplatz). The service is free of charge.[citation needed]
Extensive renovations were carried out from 2016 to 2019, and the new train, manufactured by Leitner Ropeways, began operating in July 2019, almost doubling its passenger capacity.[3]
Stations
Station | km | Notes |
---|---|---|
Parkplatz | 0.0 | Parking area |
Kirche | 0.6 | Church, town's centre |
Zentrum | 0.8 | Formerly named Raika. Bank,[a] town's centre |
Seilbahn | 1.3 | Cable Car station |
Gallery
- The terminal point of U-bahn tunnel
- Parkplatz station
- Internal platform screen doors at most stations (before renovation), with LED indicators
- Glass platform screen doors at Seilbahn station, with LCD indicators
- Interior of the old Otis train
- Interior of the new Leitner train
Notes
- ^ Named after "Raiffeisen Bank", shortened as "Raika"
References
- ^ "Dorfbahn Serfaus - Introduction". funimag.com. Retrieved April 13, 2007.
- ^ "Dorfbahn Serfaus - Technical". funimag.com. Retrieved April 13, 2007.
- ^ "Erneuerte Serfauser U-Bahn eröffnet - tirol.ORF.at". 13 July 2019.