A cable-hauled rail mode that connects two points along a steep slope using a pair of passenger cars permanently attached to opposite ends of one looped cable, so that the descending car's weight helps haul the ascending one up the incline. Because the two cars stay in balance, the driving engine only has to supply power for any difference in passenger load and to overcome friction rather than lift a full car's weight outright. The Funiculars of Lyon opened its first line in 1862, and the mode remains common on mountainsides, in hillside cities and at scenic overlooks. This description is adapted from Wikipedia contributors under CC BY-SA 4.0; changes were made. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/
Facts
Core ConcernHauling two permanently counterbalanced cars up and down a steep slope on a shared looped cable 1 Sources
1. Wikipedia: Funicular
WikipediaIntroduction
A funicular, or funicular railway, is a type of cable railway system that connects points along a railway track laid on a steep slope.
Overview
The system is characterized by two counterbalanced carriages (also called cars or trains) permanently attached to opposite ends of a haulage cable, which is looped over a pulley at the upper end of the track.
History
The first line of the Funiculars of Lyon (Funiculaires de Lyon) opened in 1862, followed by other lines in 1878, 1891, and 1900.
- In Category: Modes
- Part Of: Cable Transport
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