What is a pendulum cable car?
A pendulum cable car, Pendelbahn or Pendelseilbahn is a common type of cable car in which the cabin or cabins go up and down on the same track. In most cases, the pendulum cable car consists of 2 tracks with 1 cabin on each track.
These cabins are then hung on 1, 2 or 3 cables. This depends, among other things, on the size of the cabins. If only 1 cable is used, this cable serves both as a carrying cable, on which the cabin rests, and as a pulling cable, i.e. the cable that pulls the cabin up and down. With cable cars consisting of 2 cables, there is a separate cable on which the cabin hangs and a separate cable that pulls the cabin over the carrying cable. There are also pendulum cable cars that use 2 carrying cables and 1 pulling cable. In general, the rule is that the larger the cabin, and the greater the capacity of the cabin, the thicker the carrying cable. Cable cars with large cabins often use 2 cables, a separate carrying and a separate pulling cable. The variant with only 1 cable is usually used for smaller gondolas (up to 8 people). Of course there are again exceptions.
In addition to the variant with 2 tracks and 2 cabins, there are also pendulum cable cars that have 1 track with 1 cabin. In addition, there are the group pendulum cable cars. In this variant, several cabins are linked together and travel back and forth along the route as one. There are also variants with 1 and 2 tracks for the group pendulum cable cars.
pendulum cable car cabins
The cabins of a pendulum cable car are often larger than the gondolas on a circular cable car. Because there are only 2 cabins (or 1) going back and forth, you have to wait until they arrive back at the stations. With a circular cable car there is a coming and going of gondolas. As a result, the cabins of a pendulum cable car often have a high capacity. The cable car with the cabins that currently have the highest capacity is in Vietnam, the Ha-Long-Queen cable car. The cabins of this cable car can accommodate 230 people. The only disadvantage is that in most cases you have to stand in a pendulum cable car. An exception, for example, is the Engelberg – Brunni cable car, in which a number of benches have been placed.
Suspension
The suspension of a cabin is a steel structure that attaches the cabin to the carrying cable. This suspension is a fairly rigid construction because you do not want cabins passing each other to blow into each other or rock. The suspension is also quite high as the cabins must also be able to pass the steeper parts of the route without the cabin hitting the carrying cable.
On routes where support pillars are used, the suspension has an asymmetrical shape. This is to be able to pass the supports. If no support pillars are used, the suspension has an A-shape with the cable running in front of the top of the A, making it impossible for the cabins to derail.
Transport connection
The transport connection of a cabin (Laufwerk) is the part with which the cabins ride on the carrying cable. This transport connection consists of 2 or more wheels with which the cabin drives over the carrying cable. The wheels are made of an elastic material to ensure that the cabins are quieter and the ride is relaxed without too much bumping.
Carrying cable
The carrying cable over which the cabin moves back and forth does not change position and is clamped between the valley and mountain stations. If support pillars are used, the cable goes over so-called Tragsättel, where the cable can move back and forth slightly, depending on where the cabin is located, before or after the support pillar. This is important because it allows the weight of the cabin to be balanced. If the carrying cable were always in the same place, certain places on the cable would wear out quickly. To prevent this, the cable is shifted slightly every now and then. This also means that the cable is longer than it should actually be, so there is a bit of reserve.
Drive
A pendulum cable car is usually driven from the mountain station. From here, an electric motor ensures that the cable pulleys (return pulleys for the cable) rotate and then move the pulling cable. In the event of a power failure or a technical defect with the electric motor, there is also an emergency power generator that can rotate the discs.
Brakes
A pendulum cable car has several types of brakes. Basically there is the general brake that ensures that the cable pulleys slow down and the cabin moves smoothly into the stations. If something happens, there is also the safety brake. This brake is directly linked to the cable pulleys and can immediately stop them if necessary.
If, for example, the pulling cable breaks, there is also the carrying cable brake. This brake is located between the wheels of the transport connection and ensures that the cabin comes to a standstill immediately.
All in all, a pendulum cable car is a very safe system that can take visitors up and down the mountain quickly and comfortably.
If you want to know more about the different types of cable cars, download the complete cable car overview for free.
