The speed with which the project was completed is largely due to
the techniques used, which were very advanced for the early
20th century.
In 1901, a petrol-driven pumping station was built to supply
running water for both machinery and drinking purposes. It is still
in use today.
A quarry was opened up around 100 metres from the building site,
at Oedenburg. A steam locomotive, called "Hilda" by the team of
metal-workers that looked after it, was brought into service in
January 1902.
It carried stone from the quarry up to the château. Thirty
horses were needed to bring this 5 tonne locomotive from Sélestat
railway station to the château du Haut-Koenigsbourg!
A stone crusher driven by a steam engine was used to produce the
sand needed in construction work.
Electricity
Two cranes were installed on the site in 1901. One of them was
mounted on a track above the upper garden, the other was set up
inside the keep. They were powered by electricity from 1902 onwards
with the help of a mobile steam engine called a "locomobile". This
technique also allowed the site to benefit from electrical
lighting, something that the villages below the château would not
have until after the First World War.