Energy and transformer station
The transformer wagon, as the name already says, transformed the incoming potential of 30 kV into many different potentials that were necessary for the bridge to operate properly. The power rating of the F60, which includes also two excavators of the series „ES 3750“, totals up to 27,000 kW. The F60 needed about 1,2 kWh of electrical energy for the process of extracting one cubic metre of overburden till it was dropped. Therefore, conveyer bridges are very economical devices to extract overburden. Nevertheless, they can be used only in some regions in Germany, such as Central Germany or in the Lausitz region (also called Lusatia), due to the layer of coal in those regions.
Undercarriage, excavator´s side
The conveyor bridge runs on two tracks with standard gauge. Next to these are placed two tracks for the cable wagon, the transformer wagon and other supporting vehicles. The entire undercarriage runs on a total of 760 undercarriage wheels, 380 of which are powered. The maximum speed of the bridge is 13 m/min (780 m/h); its operating speed is 9 m/min (540 m/h).
The chancellor´s view
In September 2000, our former Chancellor Gerhard Schröder visited the F60. He was impressed by the huge steel giant and the typical mining landscape. Since then, the platform from which Gerhard Schröder was looking at the surrounding area is called „Chancellor’s view“.
Main conveyor belt
The main conveyor belt transported the overburden from the side where it was extracted to the other side, where it was dropped. Nine different belts ran at a speed up to 10 m/s (36 km/h). Two excavators supplied the northern and southern cross conveyor with overburden (27 million cubic metres till it was shut down in June 1992. The conveying capacity of both excavators adds up to 29,000 m3/h (50,000 t). This equals the volume of a football field that was filled with overburden up to a height of 7-8 metres.
Maintenance wagon
This wagon, where our guided tours start and end, was originally used as maintenance area, canteen, sanitary section and as a place where the bridge crew spent their breaks. Today, this wagon is used as a tourist-information-centre. There, our guests can visit a small exhibition on the history and technology of brown coal extraction in the lower Lausitz region, which started in May 2002. It also contains a small cafeteria, where our visitors can have a typical miner’s lunch. The wagon is 29 m long, 12 m wide (with gallery) and 11 m high.
Undercarriage, dumping side
As mentioned before, the bridge runs on 2 tracks, standard gauge. The F60 is equipped with a total of 760 under carriage wheels, 380 of which are powered. The working speed was 9 m/min (540 m/h).
Panorama point
At a height of 75 m above ground level, which is the highest point of the bridge, a small glazed panorama point is located. After about half of the walk along the bridge (the whole walk is about 1.4 km long) our visitors have the possibility to pause for a breath while enjoying a fantastic panoramic view over the Lausitz region.