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Calag Gangloff Kabinenbau: One for all!

12. April 2021

Article from: Seilbahn & Technik, SI 2/2021, SI-Alpin, Maintenance & Service

To the original article in SI Magazine: www.simagazin.com www.simagazin.com

The cabin manufacturer builds large and special cabins for all ropeway providers.

With the takeover of the special cabin construction and maintenance division of Gangloff Cabins AG, CALAG began its journey in the ropeway industry in 2018.

As expected, the experts were frequently called upon, especially in the area of maintenance and service. Maintenance work and restorations of all Gangloff cabins also immediately became a big seller.

But even the experts from Langenthal were surprised at how well and quickly the area of new cabins developed. The company’s independence and know-how in special and large cabins make it an attractive partner for all ropeway manufacturers. As a result, numerous exciting projects have already been implemented with various ropeway manufacturers in recent years.

The Polar Star

CALAG proved its skills right at the start when it built two special cabins for a cruise ship as a contracting company for Bartholet. The cabins were modelled on the Polar Star. A special glass and an ingenious lighting concept have been creating enthusiasm among the guests since day one.

On the Dragon Mountain

Die Calag Carrosserie Langenthal AG baut die neuen Triebwagen für die Pilatus-Bahnen. © Adrian Moser / Tamedia AG

The cogwheel railway up Mount Pilatus is something very special. After all, the historic railway is the steepest rack railway in the world. In summer 2021, the first of eight new railcars will go into operation.

The others are to follow by the summer of 2022. The old models from the 1930s are now obsolete, as it has become increasingly difficult to find spare parts.

But they did not want to say goodbye to the traditional red cabins. The old style was to be given a new modern coat of paint. Therefore, only the CALAG company came into question for the production of the special cars.

“We rely on first-class, stylish vehicles with high-quality materials. For us, this is adventure travel in the 21st century combined with state-of-the-art passenger safety,” says Godi Koch, CEO of Pilatus-Bahnen AG. The design comes from Küchler Design and combines modern 360-degree glazing with the classic Pilatus red.

Design wins on the Titlis

But it is not only on the Drachenberg Pilatus that people are currently relying on CALAG cabins; the Titlisbahn Line 2 from the Steurer company is also being equipped with cabins from the Langenthal-based company.

“Of all the great design proposals we received from the cabin manufacturers, we and Bergbahnen Engelberg-Trübsee-Titlis AG were most convinced by CALAG’s overall package. In this project, which is very important for us, it was essential for us to have reliable partners on board.

Although we have never worked with CALAG in this form before, the important key positions are occupied by former employees and specialists of Gangloff. Since we have already very successfully realised projects with this crew, such as the Arosa-Lenzerheide connecting railway, we are convinced of Calag’s strengths,” explains Stefan Terzer, project manager at Steurer.

Society for Titlis Rotair

The well-known round cable car Titlis Rotair is to be joined in future by an aerial tramway running parallel to line 1. On the one hand, this will serve to transport materials, but it will also be suitable for evacuations and transporting guests. In addition, the style of the well-known Titlis Rotair cabin is to be captured.

Combining these diverse functions is no easy task, but it is precisely this difficulty that allows the Calag team to demonstrate all its skills. Ropeway manufacturer Steurer is definitely satisfied. “Yes, we are already working on other joint projects that are very interesting and will certainly cause a stir,” Terzer reports.

Media Release_Calag Gangloff_One for all_SI Magazin_2021