08 Jul 10EUB Kirchenkarbahn Hochgurgl – Like a phoenix from the ashes
The world-famous motorcycle museum at the TOP Mountain Crosspoint in Hochgurgl at an altitude of around 2,270m, which is home to all kinds of rarities, caught fire in the morning hours of 18.01.2021.
The museum wing burned down completely, along with the countless motorcycle and automobile rarities. By joining forces, the emergency services and employees of the mountain railroad managed to keep the fire section under control using the snowmaking system, snow groomers and the largest snow blower in Europe. As a result, the cable car tract and the entire restaurant were able to survive the incident largely unscathed.
A team of experts was immediately put together to investigate the effects of the fire on the cable car system and the remaining building structure. The Melzer & Hopfner office was commissioned to coordinate the investigations and correspondence with the authorities. Thanks to the swift and solution-oriented actions of all those involved, the cable car system was reopened for public operation at the beginning of March.
The brothers Alban and Attila Scheiber were not deterred by this incisive event and quickly set the course for the reconstruction of the motorcycle museum as well as the extension of the museum wing approved last year. Work on the museum, including the extension, should be completed and open to visitors again by the end of 2021. We were able to contribute all our know-how to the coordination of the unusual official procedure for reconstruction and simultaneous expansion. A quick building permit was a prerequisite for the start of the construction work, which was able to begin on time.
In addition to the reconstruction and expansion of the museum, the cable car was also extended to include an entry and exit point at the intermediate station. In future, passengers will also be able to board and alight at the intermediate station on the descent in summer. Our office was responsible for the general planning of the extension project. Thanks to expert planning and the commitment of everyone involved, the cable car was able to start summer operations on time on June 25.
We would like to thank the Scheiber brothers for the trust they have placed in us and wish them a successful summer season and an accident-free reconstruction of the museum.
