WIR 02/2020 [EN]

International Projects
17
By Monorack to the alpine pasture
Perroud Monorack | Vallée du Gros Mont, Canton Fribourg (CHE)
Patrick Perroud
950 m 449 m 4 PPH or 2 PPH plus 250 kg 0.7 m/s Honda engine, 270 ccm, 6.3 kW (8.6 PS), gasoline
45° 2019
Butcher and farmer Patrick Perroud has
recently started using a Monorack to bring
materials and grazing cattle up to his alpine
pasture.
worked all out on the new alignment. The hard
work paid off: At the beginning of July 2019,
the installation was officially handed over to
Patrick Perroud.
The Swiss canton of Fribourg has lots of alpine
pastures with no vehicle access. One of these
is the Alpage les Planeys Dessus, which lies
at an elevation of 1,476 meters in the Gastlosen
region of Fribourg and belongs to Patrick
Perroud. He is an avid butcher and farmer,
who from May through September grazes his
animals on the steep slopes of the Hochmatt.
The alpine pastures can only be reached via
long, steep mountain paths and lie 500 meters
above the valley floor. The search for a simple
and reliable transport solution led Patrick
Perroud to Garaventa AG. The Monorack, a fl exible
and effi cient single-track rack-and-pinion
railway with gasoline engine drive, immediately
impressed Patrick Perroud. It’s the ideal solution
for passenger and material transport in the
steep piece of forest below his alpine pasture,
which is difficult to access.
Joint project
The line starts direct from the small river Ruisseau
du Gros Mont and leads steeply uphill for
one complete kilometer, mostly through dense
forest and over rocky ground. It is only in the
upper section that the trees become sparser
and the view of the meadows and grazing
cattle opens up. When the work commenced
in April 2019, there was still snow on the ground.
Patrick Perroud’s goal was nonetheless to
have the new installation up and running for
the next summer grazing season. With this end
in mind, not only the team from Garaventa AG,
but also Patrick Perroud’s diligent helpers
Livestock transport
A great advantage of the Monorack is that the
carriers can largely be combined to suit the
specific needs of the owner. Different components
are available for passenger and material
transport. This means, for instance, that Patrick
Perroud can safely carry an animal down to
the valley when necessary.
Visit our new website for
more info on the Monorack:
Operating a Monorack is simple. I can stop
anywhere I like along the line for loading
or unloading. I’m delighted with the high
payload, flexibility and the rugged design.
Patrick Perroud, Farmer