Cable car festival in Künzelsau – 25 years of urban mountain railways.
The cable car festival in Künzelsau celebrated the cable car’s 25th anniversary this weekend, and ROTEC was there. Many visitors came to experience the history and technology, and the significance of this first true urban cable car in Germany became clear.
Since 1999, the railway has connected the city center in the valley and the “Taläcker” residential areas 170 meters higher, and is therefore considered a model example of inner-city mobility.
With over 30,000 trips and approximately 700,000 passengers, tens of thousands of scheduled bus journeys are saved every year – and all without a driver! The Künzelsau cable car has been operating fully automatically and without staff since its first day of operation.
A celebration with history and practice
The celebration offered a platform for history, local conversations, and entertainment. Many participants were interested in learning how the railway works, while also learning how maintenance and inspection ensure long-term safety and reliability.
There were also guided tours during which the cable car operations manager, Günter Kantenwein, explained how the cables are constructed and what measures are necessary to ensure that the cable car remains safe.
ROTEC ensures tested safety
Our ROTEC team also regularly performs magnetic induction cable testing on this system, allowing even the smallest internal damage to be detected early. ROTEC engineers are also responsible for the annual inspection of the system.
These inspections help minimize risks, as they are the only way to plan targeted repairs before major problems arise. We’ve also installed a permanent rope oiler in Künzelsau, which ensures that the ropes are evenly lubricated during operation, thus lasting longer.
Technology meets community
At the cable car festival in Künzelsau, technology and everyday life were brought together, creating a lively exchange between operators, experts, and members of the public. Visitors were able to ask questions, and management explained the inspection procedures on-site, making complex topics easy to understand.
After all, all passengers benefit from regular checks and the combination of modern measuring technology and practical maintenance.
Looking to the future
As the topic of sustainable mobility continues to gain importance, the anniversary demonstrates how important well-maintained urban cable cars are.
ROTEC remains a local partner, and we will continue to conduct inspections and offer technical solutions to ensure that the Künzelsau cable car remains reliable and safe.
Contact and further information
If you would like to learn more about rope testing or our permanent rope oiler, please contact ROTEC.
We advise operators and support them in planning inspection intervals and maintenance strategies.
ROTEC – we make ropes safe.
Pictured: Künzelsau cable car
