The historic suspension railroad on the slopes of the Elbe in Dresden has received the operating license for another ten years after the general check. Because of its "excellent technical condition," only minor work had to be done this time, as the Dresden Transport Authority (DVB) announced at the conclusion on Thursday. After that, both cars received new seat cushions, which also meet the increased requirements for fire protection. The cost of maintenance, repair and testing amounted to about 20,000 euros. The technicians now moved to the neighboring funicular, which paused for two weeks for the annual spring overhaul starting next Monday.
The suspension railroad had been thoroughly examined since January 23. According to DVB, there was a material test of the safety-relevant components, the welds of the load-bearing suspension on the car roof were checked and in parallel all traction sheaves, gears and shafts in the engine house at the top station were maintained and lubricated. The specialists also took a closer look at the 33 steel supports and the track girders of the 274-meter-long track.
The most stringent safety requirements apply to the listed mountain railroads, which are one of the city's tourist attractions. Since 1895, the funicular has connected the Loschwitz district with the higher-lying former spa town of Weißer Hirsch. Its cars are connected to each other by a haul rope. The suspension railroad on the slope opposite first went up to Oberloschwitz in 1901. It is the oldest and in its design the only mountain suspension railroad in the world. Its track is fixed to a structure that rests on supports, and the cars hang below.
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