Fwd: Glória update

From:	owen brison <owenbrison@gmail.com>

Concerning the maintenance contract that expired at the end of August, as described in the ABC link posted by Tony G, the same outfit continues until a new contract has been signed after the normal tendering process. 

 

A "Nota Informativa" was published this evening by GPIAAF, the local body charged with investigating accidents in the air or on rails. This pdf is downloadable from the GPIAAF site but I'm attaching it. The Nota just describes what happened and will later be followed by a Preliminary and then a Final Report. The GPIAAF does not attribute blame. 

 

In very rough terms, the cable became unattached from car 1 at the top and the braking systems were unable to prevent the car reaching an estimated 60 km/hr as it came down the hill. 

The remains of car 1 plus the outwardly undamaged car 2 have been removed to a secure site (Tires prison) where they can be inspected. 

 

My personal suspicion is that none of the three "classic" elevadores (Glória, Lavra and Bica) will run again before major modernisation, but time will tell. 

 

The driver was buried this afternoon in the presence of the President of the Republic. 

Best wishes, 

Owen.