Aero-X and Kentec have helped deliver a fire protection system has been installed across the recently redeveloped Stechelberg-Mürren-Birg-Schilthorn cable car line in Switzerland, home to the world's steepest aerial cable car.

The route, which carries up to 800 passengers an hour to the 2,970-metre summit of Schilthorn, is also known for its appearance in the James Bond film On Her Majesty's Secret Service.

Part of a major redevelopment

The cable car line has recently undergone a major redevelopment project aimed at increasing capacity and improving journey times.

The upgrade has doubled capacity from 400 to 800 passengers per hour and reduced travel times to the summit. The first section of the route, between Stechelberg and Mürren, is now the steepest aerial cable car in the world, with a gradient of 159.4%.

Fire protection across four stations

As part of the project, fire protection systems were installed across all four stations and within the cable car infrastructure.

The system includes fire detection and suppression technology designed to protect electrical control cabinets and other critical equipment used to operate the cable car.

A total of 14 fire control panels have been integrated into the wider management system, allowing the network to be monitored from a central control room.

Challenges of mountain installations

While the fire protection technology itself formed an important part of the project, one of the biggest challenges was installing equipment across a mountainous route during construction.

Transporting materials and equipment to each station required careful planning due to the remote locations and limited access.

Supporting passenger safety

With visitor numbers expected to increase following the redevelopment, fire safety remains an important part of the cable car's operation.

The project highlights how fire detection and suppression systems continue to play a key role in protecting transport infrastructure, particularly in locations where large numbers of passengers rely on critical electrical and mechanical systems every day.

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Image: Fire protection for the world's steepest cable car up to a famous James Bond film location. Image: Schilthornbahn / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0).