- Mågelibanen
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Mågelibanen was built 1911-1912 for transportation of workers and equipment to the mountains in connection to the building of a 600 meter long transfer tunnel between the lakes Øvre and Nedre Bersåvatnet
Mågelibanen. Photo: Svein HarkestadMågelibanen is a funicular with double track line arranged on a timber trestle work in Skjeggedal in Odda municipality in the county of Hordaland, Norway. From the station close to the Ringedals Dam and the lake Vetlavatn, the funicular ascends 430 meters to the top station Mågelitopp, 860 meters above sea level. The Mågelibanen is part of an industrial landscape connected to the listed hydroelectric power station in Tyssedal and the industry in the city of Odda.
Contents
History
Mågelibanen was built 1911-1912 by AS Tyssefaldene for transportation of workers and equipment to the mountains in connection to the building of a 600 meter long transfer tunnel between the lakes Øvre and Nedre Bersåvatnet in the Tyssedalsfjellene. The funicular was later used for supervision and maintenance of mountain installations. The funicular has also been used for new hydroelectric constructions in the area.
Upgrading
In connection to the 50th anniversary of AS Tyssefaldenes in 1956 the funicular was upgraded and given as gift from the company to the people of Tyssedal. When the funicular opened, it made the spectacular rock formation Trolltunga and the attractive mountain plateau of Hardangervidda accessible to the public.
Recent history
The funicular was modernized in 1988. From the late 1990s to the beginning of 2000s the funicular was also used for tourist transportation. I recent time there has been plans presented for building a road in conflict with the track line of Mågelibanen. The transportation license ends in 2010 and the future of the funicular is uncertain.
Technical data
- Track length: 960 meters
- Height: 430 metres
- Horizontal length: 814 meters
- Maximum steepness: 42°
- Configuration: Two parallel straight tracks
- Journey time: 12 minutes
- Speed: 1.5 mps
- Cars: 2
- Car weight: 760 Kg
- Capacity: 9 passengers or 1200 Kg per car
- Track gauge: 800 mm
- Traction: Electricity
External links
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