GGM / LWM Männlichenbahn - Luftseilbahn Wengen-Männlichen

Luftseilbahn Wengen-Männlichen

History

The construction of the Wengen-Männlichen Aerial Cableway in 1954 was a milestone in Männlichen's history. With it began the ultimate success story of the ski and hiking region in one of the most spectacular mountain settings. The construction of the cableway was the brain-child of several people from Wengen who were concerned about the future of the health resort. In 1949, they founded an initiative committee. In the difficult post-war years, the initiators had to overcome great hurdles to get the project off the ground. On one hand, some people were sceptical, as they had never before been involved with tourism. On the other, lack of funds put people off participating in the company. The cableway came into existence thanks to substantial goodwill and financial aid from outside. Building work began in August 1953 and the opening celebrations took place on 22 July 1954. The estimated CHF 1.59 million building costs were overrun by about 4%.

Each of the original cabins carried 40 people; they were replaced in 1963 by 50-person cabins. Modifications to the valley station were also completed at this time. In 1973, the old drive motor was replaced by a new 425 H.P. motor, increasing passenger capacity by around 12% and reducing waiting time at the valley station. Another upgrade followed between 1991 and 1992. The old aerial cableway was completely renovated, with the exception of the valley and summit stations, and since 26 August 1992 two spacious 80-person cabins have been in service between Wengen and Männlichen. Travelling time was cut from 6-7 minutes to 4-5 minutes. Renovation costs were around CHF 8.7 million.

The avalanche winter of 1999 had a dramatic effect on the history of the aerial cableway. Enormous deposits of snow combined with storm-force westerly winds created an extraordinarily dangerous situation. Numerous huge avalanches buried access roads, railway tracks and buildings. During the night of 22/23 February 1999, the full force of an avalanche struck the valley station of the Männlichen Aerial Cableway in Wengen, burying the platform area under more than ten metres of snow, trees and rock. The cableway had to close for several months. The Canton Bern Department for Natural Hazards decided against granting the cableway permission to operate from the old location - a hard but sensible decision. On 14 April 1999, the executive board decided to rebuild the valley station outside the avalanche zone, close to the main village street. The aim was to draw up plans, secure permits and complete construction at lightning speed. By the beginning of December 1999, the first cabins were already travelling to the top!

Date	Occasion
1930-1939	Initial idea of accessing Männlichen plateau by aerial cableway
1946-1949	Foundation of initiative committee
25 March 1950	Application for granting of concession
14 February 1951	Concession granted
29 October 1951	Publication of brochure on founding of limited company
15 September 1952	Foundation of limited company
1 August 1953	Start of construction work
5 June 1954	Opening of regular operation
22 July 1954	Inauguration of cableway
27 October 1954	Official handing over of installation
1962	Extension of valley station
1963	First technical modifications: original 40-person cabins replaced by 50-person cabins
1973	Second technical modifications: replacement of electric drive motor and installation of remote control
1991/1992	Third technical modifications: rebuilding of cableway, 50-person cabins replaced by 80-person cabins
1999	Rebuilding of cableway after avalanche damage of 22 February 1999.
25 December 1999	Inauguration of today’s cableway after building period of only 113 days.

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Luftseilbahn Wengen-Männlichen

History