Specialised Work

Infotainment Elevator for Altena Castle – An unusual Tunnelling and Shaft Sinking Project

(Foto: Manfred König)

(Foto: Klaus Storch)

Access to the construction site installation yard

(Foto: Klaus Storch)

(Foto: FELDHAUS Bergbau)

Tunnellers tackling the steep slope

(Foto: FELDHAUS Bergbau)

(Foto: Klaus Storch)

Inspecting the face after blasting

(Foto: Klaus Storch)

(Foto: FELDHAUS Bergbau)

Jumbo during tunnelling

(Foto: FELDHAUS Bergbau)

Underground loader in action

(Foto: FELDHAUS Bergbau)

(Foto: Klaus Storch)

Tunnel beamer in action

(Foto: Klaus Storch)

Face with drilling pattern

(Foto: Klaus Storch)

Part of tunnel without lining

(Foto: Klaus Storch)

Installing the plastic sealing membrane in the tunnel

(Foto: Klaus Storch)

(Foto: FELDHAUS Bergbau)

Producing the preliminary shaft

(Foto: FELDHAUS Bergbau)

Installing reinforcement in the preliminary shaft

(Foto: FELDHAUS Bergbau)

Steep and narrow access to the upper courtyard of the castle

(Foto: FELDHAUS Bergbau)

Raise borer in action

(Foto: FELDHAUS Bergbau)

Raise boring application

(Foto: FELDHAUS Bergbau)

(Foto: Klaus Storch)

View of inspection cage and shaft floor

(Foto: Klaus Storch)

View of the shaft working platform

(Foto: Klaus Storch)

Shaft sinking head frame

(Foto: Klaus Storch)

(ARGE HEL)

Model of the entrance building in the form of a large door, which opens up to the town centre

(ARGE HEL)

Presentation of the film projection in front of the elevator with a waiting throng of mythical figures

(ARGE HEL)

Built in the 12^th century, Altena Castle attracts visitors from far beyond the bounds of south Westphalia. It is perched some 190 m ASL, high above the old wire-producing town on the Lenne, and is numbered among Germany’s most magnificent keeps (Fig. 1). The castle attained international fame after the world’s first youth hostel was established within its walls in 1914.

Elevator

The castle’s position high above Altena may be picturesque but it also poses a problem in terms of accessibility. There is no direct link between the town centre and the castle so that people find it hard to reach, especially those who depend on some form of transportation to get there. There is a lack of parking spaces in the direct vicinity and it can only be approached via a steep incline.

Through building an elevator capable of whisking visitors up to the castle courtyard located some 80 m further up in about 20 s, an easily accessible link is being created between the castle and...