From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
There are several types of funiculars.
The most common funicular scheme is with two non-motorized carriages, rigidly connected by a rope thrown over a pulley. In this arrangement, the pulley and the motor that rotates it are located at the top station of the funicular. The engine drives a rope thrown over a pulley and laid between the support rails, at the ends of which the cars are rigidly fixed. Thus, the carriages pass in the middle of the line. Such a scheme is the most economical - energy is spent not on lifting and lowering the cars themselves, but actually on transporting the difference in weight of two cars filled with passengers differently, as well as on overcoming the friction force and on braking. An example is the Kiev funicular.
There are other schemes for the device of the funicular. For example, it can be a version of a mountain railway, in which, in addition to the usual smooth rails on which the carriage rolls, additional cogwheel rails are used. In this case, motor cars are used, and the cogwheel of the drive of such a car clings precisely to the teeth of such a comb-like rail. This technical solution ensures safe lifting or lowering of the car. For example, there is a fairly long (4.27 km) mountain road Pilatusbahn (German) in Switzerland, which usually runs up to 9-10 carriages, reminiscent of the nature of their movement of trams.
For funiculars, relatively short (most often several hundred meters) tracks with a very steep incline, reaching an average of 70% (), are typical. The slope on the track is usually constant, but sometimes varies slightly from site to site.
The record holder for the steepness of the track is located near the Australian city of Katoomba, a mountain road with a length of 415 meters, the so-called Katoomba Scenic Railway (eng.) In the Blue Mountains, located west of Sydney. Its slope reaches 122% (). Initially, this road was built to lift coal and shale from a mine located in a closed mountain basin, but now it has been reconstructed and is used exclusively as a tourist site. Several carriages on this road are connected to a common train running up and down the track. Since the slope of this road changes noticeably during the movement, for safety all the seats are made in the form of benches located one after the other across the entire width of the car. You can ride in this train only while sitting, facing in the direction of the descent, that is, with your back to the mountain, and it is impossible to leave your seat while moving.
Funiculars usually have only two stations (upper and lower). In this case, the carriage moves along the track without stopping from start to finish. If the funicular has intermediate stations, the stop of the carriage at the intermediate station can be provided for by the timetable (Prague funicular) or made at the additional request of passengers (Karlovy Vary funicular "Diana").
Funicular cars are designed individually for each track, taking into account its steepness. Thus, when placed on a horizontal surface, they would appear "skewed".
Funiculars are quite common in Europe (available in Paris, Barcelona, Bergen, Prague, Kiev and other cities). Funicular lines, performing transport work, at the same time often become an attraction, the subject of attention of tourists.
Comparison with other modes of transport
According to the device, the cable car or tram is close to the cable car (eng. cable car- "cable car"; there is no established Russian term). The differences between the funicular and the rail tram are as follows:
- The cable car line is laid on a short distance, usually with a larger constant slope, directed to one side along the entire length of the route.
- The cars are designed taking into account this slope and have a constant orientation on the line (one side is lower, the other is upper).
- Funicular lines never form networks, do not fork or cross.
- The movement of the rope that drives the wagons is reversible, the direction changes every time the wagon or wagons reach the end of the line.
- The drive (engine) is located at the upper station, the funicular cars do not have their own engines.
The function of the funicular is close to the escalator. The differences between the funicular and the escalator are as follows:
- The funicular is a discrete transport.
- The funicular has a much lower carrying capacity.
- The funicular does not make sense to use at very low climbs (elevation difference up to 10 m).
- On long lines, the funicular, on the other hand, is much cheaper to build and operate.
Records
The highest funicular in the world runs from the town of Saas-Fee (1800 above sea level) to the highest in the world revolving restaurant"Allalin" (3457 m), located on Mount Mittellalline in Switzerland.
see also
Write a review on the article "Funicular"
Notes (edit)
Links
- article about the largest funicular in the world.
- on youtube
- on youtube
| This article or section contains or external references, but the sources of individual claims are unclear due to a lack of footnotes. Statements, not, can be questioned and deleted. You can improve the article by providing more precise sources for the source. |
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Excerpt from the Funicular
“Okay, okay, I don’t have time now,” said Yermolov and left the hut. Tol's disposition was very good. Just as in the Austerlitz disposition, it was written, although not in German:“Die erste Colonne marschiert [The first column goes (German)] this and that, die zweite Colonne marschiert [the second column goes (German)] this and that,” etc. And all these columns are on paper came at the appointed time to their place and destroyed the enemy. Everything was, as in all dispositions, perfectly thought out, and, as with all dispositions, not a single column came in its time and in its place.
When the disposition was ready in the proper number of copies, an officer was summoned and sent to Yermolov to give him the papers for execution. A young cavalry officer, Kutuzov's orderly, pleased with the importance of the assignment given to him, went to Yermolov's apartment.
“We’re gone,” answered Yermolov’s orderly. The cavalry officer went to the general, whom Ermolov often visited.
- No, and there is no general.
The cavalry officer sat on horseback and rode to another.
- No, they left.
“How would I not be responsible for the delay! What a shame! " - thought the officer. He traveled all over the camp. Someone said that they saw how Yermolov drove with other generals somewhere, who said that he was probably at home again. The officer, without having dinner, searched until six o'clock in the evening. Ermolov was nowhere to be found and no one knew where he was. The officer had a quick bite to eat at his comrade's and went back to the vanguard to Miloradovich. Miloradovich was not at home either, but then he was told that Miloradovich was at the ball at General Kikin's, that Ermolov must be there.
- But where is it?
“And over there, in Echkin,” said the Cossack officer, pointing to a distant landlord’s house.
- But what about there, behind the chain?
- They sent two of our regiments into the chain, there is such a revelry nowadays, trouble! Two music, three choirs of songwriters.
The officer went by the chain to Echkin. From a distance, still driving up to the house, he heard the friendly, cheerful sounds of a soldier's dancing song.
"In the oluzya ah ... in the oluzi! .." - with a whistle and with a torban he heard him, occasionally drowned out by the shout of voices. The officer felt cheerful in his soul from these sounds, but at the same time it was also scary for the fact that he was guilty, for so long not having given the important order entrusted to him. It was already past nine. He dismounted from his horse and entered the porch and the hallway of a large, intact manor house, located between the Russians and the French. In the pantry and in the hall, footmen were bustling about with wines and food. There were songbooks under the windows. The officer was led through the door, and he suddenly saw all together the most important generals of the army, including the large, noticeable figure of Yermolov. All the generals were in unbuttoned coats, with red, lively faces and were laughing loudly, standing in a semicircle. In the middle of the room, a handsome, short general with a red face was smartly and deftly making a trepak.
- Ha, ha, ha! Ah yes Nikolai Ivanovich! ha, ha, ha! ..
The officer felt that, entering at that moment with an important order, he was doubly guilty, and he wanted to wait; but one of the generals saw him and, learning why he was, told Ermolov. Ermolov, with a frowning face, went out to the officer and, having listened, took the paper from him, without saying anything to him.
- Do you think he left by accident? - That evening the staff comrade said to the officer of the cavalry guard about Yermolov. - These are things, this is all on purpose. Give Konovnitsyn a ride. Look, what porridge will be tomorrow!
The next day, early in the morning, the decrepit Kutuzov got up, prayed to God, dressed, and with the unpleasant consciousness that he should lead a battle, which he did not approve of, got into a carriage and drove out of Letashevka, five miles behind Tarutin, to that place, where the advancing columns were to be assembled. Kutuzov rode, falling asleep and waking up and listening to see if there were any shots on the right, was the case starting? But it was still quiet. The dawn of a damp and cloudy autumn day was just beginning. Approaching Tarutin, Kutuzov noticed the cavalrymen leading the horses to the watering hole across the road along which the carriage was traveling. Kutuzov looked at them closely, stopped the carriage and asked which regiment? The cavalrymen were from the column that should have been already far ahead in ambush. "A mistake, maybe," thought the old commander-in-chief. But, having driven even further, Kutuzov saw infantry regiments, guns in the box, soldiers with porridge and firewood, in underpants. An officer was called. The officer reported that there was no order to march.
- How not ... - began Kutuzov, but immediately fell silent and ordered to call the senior officer. Climbing out of the carriage, head bowed and breathing heavily, silently waiting, he walked up and down. When the demanded officer of the General Staff, Eichen, appeared, Kutuzov turned purple not because this officer was the fault of a mistake, but because he was a worthy subject for expressing anger. And, shaking, gasping for breath, the old man, having come to that state of rage, into which he was able to come when he was lying on the ground from anger, he launched himself at Eichen, threatening with his hands, shouting and cursing with square words. Another who turned up, Captain Brozin, who was not guilty of anything, suffered the same fate.
- What kind of canalya is this? Shoot the scoundrels! He shouted hoarsely, waving his arms and staggering. He was in physical distress. He, the commander-in-chief, the most luminous, whom everyone assures that no one has ever had such power in Russia as he is, he is put in this position - made fun of the whole army. “In vain did I bother so much to pray for the present day, in vain I did not sleep at night and thought everything over! - he thought of himself. “When I was a boy as an officer, no one would have dared to laugh at me like that ... But now!” He experienced physical suffering, as from corporal punishment, and could not help expressing it with angry and suffering cries; but soon his strength weakened, and he, looking around, feeling that he had said a lot of bad things, got into the carriage and silently drove back.
The outpouring anger did not return any more, and Kutuzov, weakly blinking his eyes, listened to excuses and words of defense (Ermolov himself did not appear to him until another day) and the insistence of Bennigsen, Konovnitsyn and Tolya to make the same failed movement the next day. And Kutuzov had to agree again.
The next day the troops gathered in the evening at the designated places and marched out at night. It was an autumn night with purple-black clouds, but no rain. The ground was wet, but there was no mud, and the troops marched silently, only the occasional strumming of artillery was faintly audible. Forbidden to talk loudly, smoke pipes, strike fire; the horses were kept from neighing. The mystery of the enterprise increased its appeal. People walked merrily. Some of the columns stopped, put their guns in the box and lay down on the cold ground, believing that they had come where they needed to; some (most) of the columns walked the whole night and, obviously, went in the wrong place.
Count Orlov Denisov with the Cossacks (the most insignificant detachment of all the others) alone got into his place in his own time. This detachment stopped at the extreme edge of the forest, on the path from the village of Stromilova to Dmitrovskoe.
Before dawn, the dozing Count Orlov was awakened. They brought in a defector from the French camp. It was a Polish non-commissioned officer in the Poniatowski corps. This non-commissioned officer explained in Polish that he had run over because he had been offended in his service, that he should have been an officer long ago, that he was the bravest of all and therefore had abandoned them and wanted to punish them. He said that Murat was spending the night a mile away from them, and that if he was given a hundred men in an escort, he would take him alive. Count Orlov Denisov consulted with his comrades. The offer was too flattering to refuse. Everyone volunteered to go, everyone advised to try. After many disputes and considerations, Major General Grekov with two Cossack regiments decided to go with a non-commissioned officer.
“Well, remember,” said Count Orlov Denisov to the non-commissioned officer, letting him go, “if you lied, I’ll tell you to be hanged like a dog, but the truth is, a hundred ducats.”
The non-commissioned officer with a resolute air did not answer these words, sat on horseback and rode off with the quickly assembled Grekov. They disappeared into the woods. Count Orlov, shrinking from the freshness of the dawning morning, agitated by the fact that he was undertaking his own responsibility, having escorted Grekov, went out of the forest and began to look around the enemy camp, which was now deceptively seen in the light of the beginning of the morning and the dying fires. To the right of Count Orlov Denisov, along the open slope, our columns were to appear. Count Orlov was looking there; but in spite of the fact that they would have been visible from afar, these columns were not visible. In the French camp, as it seemed to Count Orlov Denisov, and especially in the words of his very keen adjutant, they began to stir.
Residents of some cities in the world can boast that there is such an attraction in their small homeland as a funicular. It is not just a vehicle. It can be confidently called an attraction in which the utilitarian function of lifting is combined with entertainment.
How does the funicular work?
The fundamental structure of the funicular is characterized by its name (the word "funicular" is translated as a rope from Latin and Italian). It consists of a traction system and wagons, usually moving in opposite directions. This arrangement allows the load to be balanced. The engineering structure also includes rails, gearboxes, electric drives and a braking system, including an emergency one, which is activated automatically if the rope breaks or another emergency situation occurs. Funicular designs are varied, in each of the cities they were built according to their own project, with a unique architecture of the stations and the design of the rolling stock.
Revived Odessa funicular
For example, in Odessa, next to the Giant Staircase (later renamed Potemkin), a funicular, the first in the Russian Empire, operated since 1902. In the 60s of the XX century, an escalator was installed in its place, similar to those that work in the subway. increased, but the overly modern look did not fit well with the historical appearance of the southern city. In the end, the modern "running staircase" was worn out, and now the funicular is working again in the same place. This building enjoys a well-deserved success among residents of Odessa and guests of the city, it offers a wonderful view of the port and harbor, besides, it facilitates the way to Primorsky Boulevard, because climbing 192 steps for some people, especially the elderly, is a tedious task.
Tram in San Francisco - a model for a funicular in Vladivostok
The funicular in Vladivostok was conceived as one of the measures to turn this wonderful seaside city into "Soviet San Francisco". During a visit to the United States in 1959, First Secretary Khrushchev was impressed by the urban transport system of this Californian metropolis, which has no equal in the whole world. Like Vladivostok, San Francisco is located on an area with difficult terrain, and it is quite difficult to walk along it, you have to go up and down the steep slopes. Some of these ascents might not be possible for ordinary city transport, and then an interesting decision was made. All San Francisco city trams run on rails with a rope between them. To stop the carriage, the counselor must open the connecting device and apply the brake, and the movement begins when performing the reverse actions. It is even difficult to determine exactly whether it is a funicular or a tram, but this system works remarkably, and as a rolling stock, restored old cars without motors, brought from different countries, are used, which gives any trip the character of a fun adventure.
Funicular - attraction "Vladika"
It is possible that the funicular in Vladivostok, commissioned in 1962, is inferior in scale and ramification to the American one, but it is also very good. The only one in the Far East, it connects the bay with the Eagle Hill along V. Sibirtsev Street. Students love to use it to get to the Higher Technical School, tourists certainly visit this attraction, and city residents climb a steep hill if they don't want to go up the “one thousand and one steps” (in fact, there are 368 of them, but this is also a lot). The ascent on the funicular to a height of 70 m lasts one and a half minutes, during which time it overcomes 183 m of the way. Thus, the average slope exceeds 22 degrees, which is a lot.
Funiculars in Prague - a road for lovers
Unlike the modern funicular, which is extremely useful for local people, the railway to Mount Petrin is an exclusively entertaining attraction, and her age is venerable - she started working in 1891. At the same time, another famous funicular was opened in Prague, on the Letná Hill. The route is romantic and picturesque. On its 510-meter length, the carriage overcomes a small tunnel under the wall of the old fortress, and at the final stop visitors, in addition to the observation tower, await a sculpture dedicated to the kiss. This is a favorite meeting place for young Prague citizens.
Barcelona funiculars
Tibidabo is the oldest funicular in Barcelona (and there are three in total). Its route leads to the top of the mountain, after which it is named, another station is located on the street of Dr. Andreu. Another cable car, "Vaividrera", goes to Tibidabo, which departs from the Peude station, but it is much smaller, it can only accommodate fifty passengers. The lifting height for both funiculars is approximately the same, more than 160 meters, but the length is different (1152 and 729 meters, respectively), which means that the movement occurs at different steepness of the slope. Therefore, the flatter "Tibidabo", despite its venerable age (it has been in operation since 1901), takes four hundred passengers, and its younger brother Peude - eight times less.
Funicular Montuica - city transport and attraction at the same time
The third funicular, Montuica, is part of Barcelona's public transport system and is automatic and high-speed. Its purpose is to connect the local metro station with the Parallel metro station. The track is very beautifully located, its 758-meter route passes between lush thickets and lifts passengers to a height of 76 meters. The commitment of the Barcelona city administration to ensure that the landmark brings as much money to the treasury as possible is worthy of imitation. The well-developed infrastructure, saturated with restaurants, cafes and other entertainment establishments, contributes to the pilgrimage of tourists, which create all the conditions for enjoying the beautiful views from Mount Montuica. The funicular was built in Barcelona on the occasion of the 1929 World Exhibition, but its excellent technical condition allowed it to be used as an Olympic facility in more than six decades.
Kiev funicular - idea and implementation
The funicular in Kiev is one of the symbols of the city. He has experienced many historical upheavals. Revolution, civil war, directory, Makhnovshchina, Austrian intervention, Ukrainian republic, devastation, the Great Patriotic War and a couple of "Maidans" - this is just an incomplete list of events through which the Kiev cable car passed. And his life began in 1905, when, after two years of construction, the Belgian Joint Stock Company took it into operation. The authors of the project, Russian engineers N.I.Baryshnikov and N.K. Pyatnitsky, planned the length of a quarter of a kilometer, but the owner of one of the houses in the lower part of the highway refused to sell his property to the city authorities, and had to revise the plan, shortening the path by fifty arshins. However, the common task, namely, making life easier for the people of Kiev, forced to climb from Podil along paths and stairs with hundreds of steps, was solved. The tram could not pass along the steep Kiev hills. After Odessa, Kiev became the second city in Russia, the improvement system of which included such an electromechanical miracle as the Mikhailovsky Rise (this is how this technical innovation was originally called).
The second birth of the Kiev funicular
The Kiev funicular worked in its original form until 1928, when, during routine maintenance, one trailer collapsed, which, rolling along the rails, broke the second. In this incident, fortunately, there were no casualties, but the construction required serious reconstruction. The rope lines and the braking system were replaced. In addition, the lower station was finally moved and the route extended by another 38 meters. The power unit, consisting of two Swiss-made DC electric motors (65 hp each, 1903), as well as the rope drive pulley, served until 1984.
In 1986, the third major reconstruction was completed, which in its history has undergone the Kiev funicular. This structure now lifts a wagon with a hundred passengers to a height of 75 m at a speed of 2 m / s. The power-to-weight ratio has significantly increased, the installed engine power is 100 kW. The total length of the track reached 222 m. The wagons leave every seven minutes. Every day, about 15 thousand passengers use this convenient mode of transportation.
Improvements to the funicular are carried out on a regular basis, they relate to improving safety and improving passenger awareness. Much attention is paid to the aesthetic side, because this building has long become a part of the historical image of the Ukrainian capital.
A funicular is a cable car designed to transport goods or people over short distances along a steep track. Here is a list of the ten most famous funiculars in the world.
The Zagreb funicular is located on Tomic Street in the city of Zagreb, the capital of Croatia. It was built in 1890 and opened on April 23, 1893. The funicular is included in the list of cultural monuments of the Croatian capital, as it has retained its original appearance, design and most of the technical characteristics.
The length of the line is only 66 meters with a difference in height of 30.5 meters and an angle of inclination of 52%, which makes it not only the shortest, but also one of the steepest passenger funiculars in the world. It has two carriages moving at a speed of 1.5 m / s and designed for 28 passengers each. The entire trip takes 55 seconds.
Montesanto
The Montesanto funicular is located in Naples, Italy. It is part of the Naples Metro linking three stations, Morghen, Corso Vittorio Emanuele and Montesanto. It was opened in 1891. The length of its line is 825 meters, it rises to a height of 168 meters, and has a slope of 23%. The cars travel at an average speed of seven meters per second, and the entire route takes four minutes and twenty-five seconds. The funicular carries over 4 million passengers a year.
Guindais
Funicular Guindais - located in the city of Porto, Portugal. It was originally opened on June 4, 1891, but was closed two years later due to a major accident. The reconstructed Guindais funicular began to operate again only on February 19, 2004. The line with a total length of 281 m rises by 61 meters and has two trailers moving at a speed of 5 m / s, with a capacity of 25 people each.
Flying Dutchman
Funicular Flying Dutchman - located near the Cape of Good Hope in the Western Cape, South Africa. It was opened in 1996. The line with a length of 585 meters and an angle of inclination of 16% rises to a height of 87 meters. The capacity of the trailers is 40 passengers each. The trip takes about 3 minutes. The total capacity of the line is about 450 passengers per hour. The name of the funicular comes from the legend about the ghost ship "The Flying Dutchman".
Gloria
The sixth place in the list of the most famous funiculars in the world is occupied by the Gloria funicular, which is located in the center of Lisbon, Portugal. It was opened in 1885.
Fløibanen is a funicular in Bergen, Norway. It was officially opened on January 15, 1918. The length of its line is 850 m, and the height difference is 300 m. Two trailers with a capacity of 80 passengers each move at an average (depending on the workload) speed of 6 m / s, making the entire journey in about seven minutes. The funicular is one of the most basic and popular attractions in Bergen and Norway. Fløibanen carries about 1 million passengers annually.
The Wellington Funicular is located in the capital of New Zealand in Wellington. Connects the heart of the business district - Lambton Quay and the Kelburn suburb. It was opened in 1902. The line is 628 meters long and rises 120 meters. The funicular is recognized as the symbol of Wellington.
Funicular to Victoria Peak (Peak Tramway)
In third place in the ranking of the most famous funiculars in the world is the “Victoria Peak Funicular” located in Hong Kong, China. Designed to transport tourists and residents to the summit of Victoria Peak, one of Hong Kong's top tourist attractions, offering views of the city and surrounding islands. The funicular was opened in 1888. The length of its line is 1365 meters.
The funicular is located on the highest Parisian hill, in the north of the city. It connects the foot of Montmartre with the highest point in Paris - the Sacre-Coeur Basilica. The funicular was opened in 1900. And then it was completely rebuilt in 1935 and again in 1991. Today it carries two million passengers a year. The length of its line is 108 meters, along which the trailers go up and down from a 36-meter height.
Budapest Castle Hill Funicular
Budapest Castle Hill - funicular in the city of Budapest, Hungary. It connects Adam Clark Square and the Szechenyi Chain Bridge. It was opened on March 2, 1870, but was completely destroyed during the Second World War. The funicular was reopened only in June 1986. The length of its line is 95 meters, it rises to a height of 51 meters. The trailers with a capacity of 24 passengers each move at a speed of 1.5 meters per second, spending about 90 seconds for the entire journey. An interesting feature of Budapest Castle Hill are the two pedestrian bridges that cross it.
Funiculars are not only one of the most impressive types of transport in terms of panoramic views, but also allow you to organize the transportation of people and goods along the steepest routes. Here are fourteen of the most stunning lifts.
(13 photos total)
Sponsor of the post: http://www.fancy-stuff.ru/: Online store of fashionable things Fancy-Stuff.Ru offers to buy stylish and high-quality accessories with delivery in St. Petersburg and Moscow at affordable prices. Shopping with us for any fashionista will be especially pleasant and not ruinous!
Source: venividi.ru
1. Funiculars "Duquesne" and "Monongiela" (Pittsburgh, USA)
At the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries, trips to the Roost Belt in Pittsburgh were carried out on inclined railways, which, in the absence of safe ordinary roads, served to transport goods and residents. Today, only two of Pittsburgh's legendary funiculars are still in service. They both climb to the summit on the south side of Mount Washington. These are the super-steep 193-meter Monongiela (1870), the oldest funicular in the United States, as well as the 242-meter Duquesne (1877), which was rebuilt by local residents after closing in early 1960. Both are owned by the City of Pittsburgh, but Duquesne is run by a non-profit organization. Both funiculars are listed on the US National Register of Historic Places. These vehicles now attract quite a few tourists, especially the Duquesne, which leads to a small museum, souvenir shop and viewing platform at the very top of Mount Washington. Most Pittsburgh residents can show you many ways to admire the City of Steel. But to see it in all its glory, you have to ride an old funicular at a speed of 10 kilometers per hour to climb to the top of Mount Washington. Even acrophobes can handle it.
2. Funicular "Artillery" (Valparaiso, Chile)
Those who have been to the colorful Chilean city of Valparaiso can say that without the funicular you will not be able to get to the Paseo 21 de Mayo observation deck. This crazy bohemian paradise by the sea has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2003. The city has many sloping railways that go around the steep slopes. Despite the fact that there are only almost 30 funiculars in Valparaiso (most of them appeared in the 1890s and early 1900s), only a small part of these famous "asensores" (elevators) are now actively used. Many of them have been declared national treasures. So which one should you choose? Let's stop at the Artillery funicular (1893). It is not the oldest (the first were the Concepción and the Cordilleras) and not the longest in the city (a round trip takes only 80 seconds), but it is nevertheless the best place for photographs in Valparaiso. Perhaps this popularity is due to the brightly colored wooden carriages or the fact that the Paseo 21 de Mayo offers the best views of the city. Unfortunately, it seems that Artillery will soon be out of order, but there are other alternatives besides it.
3. "Flight of Angels" (Los Angeles, USA)
Los Angeles's vibrant and artsy downtown area isn't famous for its funiculars, except for Flight of Angels (1901), the last downhill railroad in a city that once had plenty of them. Built on a steep but short slope, it connected Hill and Olive Streets in Bunker Hill, downtown Los Angeles. In 1969, after 68 years of service, the 90-meter funicular and its two carriages, Sinai and Olivet, were dismantled to make way for the ongoing reconstruction of the area. Almost 30 years later, in 1996, the Flight of Angels was finally remembered and restored not far from its former place. And then the problems began: in 2001, as a result of an accident on the funicular, a person died, several more were injured. Following an investigation, the National Transportation Safety Board determined that a failure in the new transportation system was the cause. In 2010, when Sinai and Olivet rebuilt and replaced the faulty system, Flight of Angels resumed operations. In 2011, it was briefly taken out of service for restoration work, and then closed again indefinitely in September 2013 after one of the cars derailed (no one was killed this time). Los Angeles, meanwhile, has been forced to rebuild the lift again, and it is anyone's guess when the iconic railroad will greet passengers again. After the last closure, the Los Angeles Times published an article in which it reported the following: "Flight of the Angels" is one of the few remaining funiculars in the country, it is a historical landmark of the city. In 1901, people traveled up and down for pennies. Today, a one-minute and four-second ride is still cheap at 50 cents. As long as it's safe, let's keep driving. "
4. "Carmelite" (Haifa, Israel)
While most of the funiculars on our list offer unique views as you climb the mountainside, this is not the case with Carmelite. Completely hidden underground, the slope railway has earned the honorary title of the smallest metro in the world. Carmelite is the only underground transport in Israel. The tunnel, along which the traffic goes, was laid in Mount Carmel. Its construction began in 1956, and the first passengers were received in 1959. From 1986 to 1992, a large-scale reconstruction was carried out, after which the funicular was reopened. There are four carriages (two for each train) and six stations on the line. The upper station "Gan A-Em" is located at an altitude of 274 meters above sea level. Kikar-Paris is the lower station where the depot and repair shops are located. A top-down ride through the Carmelite takes about eight minutes.
5. "Flaybanen" (Bergen, Norway)
The 850-meter Fløibanen funicular takes visitors to the summit of Fløyen, one of the seven mountains that surround the Norwegian city of Bergen. Many would like this short (8 minutes) trip upward with three stops along the way to last forever. The views from the panoramic windows of the two carriages (blue and red) with glass ceilings simply defy description. Weather permitting and plenty of time, be sure to rent a canoe to sail around Skumakerdike (Shoemaker's Ditch). Grab a map for a hike and hike the forest paths or enjoy a traditional Norwegian seafood meal at a restaurant 300 meters above sea level.
6. Fourth Street Elevator (Dubuque, Iowa, USA)
The Fourth Street Elevator, also known as the Fenelon Elevator, was built because a rich guy really wanted to drive home for his lunch break, but couldn't spend a full 30 minutes driving a horse-drawn carriage every time to get there. The home of J.C. Graves (a banker and former senator) was at the top of a steep cliff, and from 1882 he began to ride back and forth in a kind of funicular. Although fares have increased dramatically since then, the funicular is still in operation. In 1978, it was listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
7. Central funicular (Naples, Italy)
If you are planning to visit the third largest city in Italy with a hilly landscape, be sure to ride the Metropolitana di Napoli and one of the four famous funiculars - Chiaia (1889), Montesanto (1891), Central (1928) and "Mergellina" (1931) - or all in turn. Due to the city's chaotic landscape and constant traffic congestion, most residents prefer to ride the Central Funicular, which connects the four most important stations. It is the busiest and largest (1219 meters) inclined railway. Augusteo is just over 4 minutes' drive from Piazza Fuga at the Chichi Vomero station. Speaking of the funiculars of Naples, it is worth mentioning the defunct (guess why) Vesuvius funicular, built in 1800.
8. Johnstown (Johnstown, PA, USA)
An hour and a half east to Cumbria County Airport, you'll find "the world's steepest transport route." With a total length of 273 meters, the system's spacious cable cars lead up the slope of Ioder Hill at an incredibly steep angle (70.9 degrees), reaching more than 487 meters. During major floods in 1936 and 1977, the route was used for its intended purpose - to evacuate the city. The rest of the time, it is very popular with tourists - the round trip costs $ 4.
9. Lookout Mountain (Chattanooga, Tennessee, USA)
Dubbed "America's Most Amazing Mile," Lookout Mountain (1895) stretches just over a kilometer from Chattanooga St. Elmo's historic district to the top of Lookout Mountain. Those who are afraid of heights may close their eyes for the entire 15-minute ride up and down, but this is simply unforgivable given the scenic panoramic views from the 42-seat carriage. Considering that the round trip costs $ 15, this technical miracle is used only by tourists. The funicular is especially popular with visitors interested in the American Civil War seeking access to Chickamoga-Chattanooga National Park.
10. "Montmartre" (Paris, France)
The 108-meter Montmartre funicular in the 18th arrondissement of Paris is one of the most recognizable funiculars in the world and carries more than 2 million passengers a year. In 1991, the system became fully automatic and began to attract visitors with its super modernity. The Montmartre funicular is considered part of the Paris Metro system and is an alternative to the 300-step staircase leading to the Sacré-Coeur Catholic Church. The current "Montmartre" is no longer a funicular in the traditional sense, but an inclined lift, given that it now operates independently, without using the inclined lift technology with counterweights, as is the case with classic funiculars. The whole trip takes 90 seconds.
11. "Nysenbahn" (Bern, Switzerland)
The Nysenbahn, a funicular in the Oberland region of the Swiss Alps, connects the village of Melenin to the summit of the Swiss Pyramid. It is neither the oldest funicular in Switzerland (the oldest is Giesbach, opened in 1879), nor the steepest (its maximum inclination angle is 68 degrees, while the Gelmerbahn reaches 106), but it is the Nysenbahn that is long - 2.2 kilometers. The longest staircase in the world is built next to this funicular, which consists of 11,767 steps.
12. Tram-funicular (Hong Kong)
Delivering tourists to Victoria Peak (1,364 meters), this funicular tram begins at the site next to Hong Kong Park. It plays the role of an attraction for tourists, the trip on which costs about $ 5 in both directions. At the terminal station there is a shopping and entertainment center with many restaurants with observation decks. The trip to the Peak Tower - the very summit of Victoria Peak - takes 15 minutes, during which the funicular covers a distance of 3 kilometers at an angle of up to 45 degrees.
13. Wuppertal Cable Car (Dresden, Germany)
The 1,448-meter Wuppertal Cable Car is a monorail tram system on overpasses. This is one of the oldest monorails. Most of it passes over the Wupper River at an altitude of 12 meters, and the train moves along it at a maximum speed of 60 km / h. Nowadays, the entire system has been modernized, but tourists are offered a ride on the real Kaiserwagen - the train that transported the emperor in 1900. There is also a second cable car in Dresden, but this time on the ground. It leads from the Körnerplatz square to the Weiser Hirsch quarter. Along the 547-meter path, the funicular passes through two tunnels, and the maximum slope of this road is only 29 degrees.
At the beginning of the sixteenth century, a new cable car was built in picturesque Austria. With his help, fresh food was brought to the castle, located on a steep mountain (as befits any self-respecting castle). Although this design is only suitable for use on very specific stretches of the route, the invention was so successful that it was used in other places as well. This is how the world's first funicular appeared. More than five centuries have passed since then. And in the Hohensalzburg castle, the very first funicular continues to function. What is a funicular? Where can you see him today? Why is its design so practical? Why is it still used today? But why are there so few funiculars?
What is funicular
A funicular is a small railroad located on a steep slope. Its fundamental difference from the railway is in the principle of operation. On the railway, the driving force is the locomotive, in which the engine is located. The funicular is based on cable traction. From this comes its name - funiculus in Latin, rope or rope.
The rope is rigidly attached to the car, and a winch is installed at the top of the lift, which serves as a lifting mechanism. However, only a person who does not have the slightest idea of what a funicular is can confuse a cable car with it. The most obvious difference is the way you travel. The funicular rides on the rails. And the trolleys of the cable car hang on the rope.
Practical design
To pull a carriage with passengers or cargo up a steep slope, you need to apply great force. To facilitate the task, the designers attached a second carriage as a counterweight. That is, while one carriage rises, the second one descends. And since the slope is steep, this compensates to some extent the effort to lift the first car. Essentially, the winch expends power to overcome frictional forces, braking forces and the difference in load between the wagons. Therefore, the funicular is a very economical form of transport. However, it is practical only on steep sections of the road. Where it is impractical to lay a conventional railroad.
Attractive landmark
In addition to their practicality, funiculars invariably attract tourists. And this is not surprising. Small neat wagons move slowly, allowing you to fully enjoy the views from the height. Within the city boundaries, the length of funicular lines, as a rule, does not exceed several hundred meters. And in the mountains, the funicular road can stretch for a couple of kilometers.
One of the most popular funiculars among tourists is located in the capital of Hungary, Budapest. It stretches from the Danube embankment to the Buda Castle. It was built back in 1870, and reconstructed after the Second World War. However, during the reconstruction, it was decided to leave the wagons with their old look. True, the steam engine was nevertheless changed to an electric one. It won't take long to climb to the castle on foot, but during the funicular there is no end of passengers. Although it is often necessary to spend more time in line than it would take to climb and descend on foot.
Funicular in Vladivostok
The Vladivostok funicular is one of the city's most famous landmarks. This was largely due to the fact that it is the only one of its kind in the Far East. In the sixties of the last century, Nikita Khrushchev, inspired by his visit to San Francisco, decided to turn Vladivostok into a city even more beautiful and modern. He began by building a funicular. Unfortunately, this did not go any further. But the funicular functions properly to this day. In addition to aesthetic pleasure, it also brings very tangible practical benefits, lifting up to 40 people at a time in less than two minutes by 180 meters. This does not seem like such an achievement, if you do not take into account the elevation difference, which in this short interval reaches a full seventy meters.
To understand how much energy this saves pedestrians, imagine a steep staircase of 368 steps. It is this number of them that you have to overcome in order to climb to the top of the hill, on which the upper station of the funicular is located. But, apparently, according to the sensations, this figure is very significantly increasing, since the locals called this place the 1001 steps staircase.
Beauty of cool
A ride on the Swiss Gelmerbahn funicular is not an adventure for the faint of heart. Overcoming steep slopes, when you literally look into the abyss stretching nearby, gives an unforgettable experience. Those tourists who have been there can proudly declare that they know what a funicular is. It was originally designed exclusively for technical needs. With its help, people and goods were delivered to the local hydroelectric power station. But in 2001 it was decided to use it for tourism purposes as well. The journey takes approximately 10 minutes, one way. And the angle of inclination in some areas reaches 106 degrees.
