Funicular railways

[richard1976]

Does anyone here have any interest in funicular railways as a form of public transport??

 

[Dr Hoo]

What is not to like about funiculars? Guaranteed 'full cop' (rolling stock, stations, track/BSK*) on one visit and saves using the stairs! Just make sure you check that it is running before setting off.

*Buffer Stop Kissing, I.e. Getting to the extreme end of the line, for the un-initiated.

 

[stut]

I love funny-colour railways. Especially when they are a proper part of the transport network, like in (for example) Lisbon rather than pure tourist curiosity.

You can even try them underground like in Istanbul (and feel like you're in a chopped up Paris metro).

 

[rogerfarnworth]

Yes. I have posted on a couple which used to be operational in southern France in a thread in Railway History and Nostalgia on this Forum .... "Funicular Railways and Rack Railways in France."

I have just been reading a chapter from a book given to me at Christmas. "Rails in the Road" by Oliver Green. There is a note in the chapter that says that there are still 13 Victorian and Edwardian funiculars running in Britain.

I wonder if we can manage to name them all?

Oliver Green points us to a 2015 book published by the Heritage Railway Association entitled "An Illustrated Guide to the Funicular Railways of Great Britain."

 

[pdeaves]

I wonder if we can manage to name them all?

Can I cheat? - there's a list here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_funicular_railways#_United_Kingdom (I haven't looked to see if anything is missing, or present but shouldn't be for that matter).

 

[sprunt]

The London Millennium Funicular always sounds more exciting that it is.

My favourite is the one above the Schloss in Heidelberg - the highest I've been on, and the view from the top is superb.

 

[AndrewE]

A simple funicular? Pshaw! Look at this:

 

[theageofthetra]

My favorite is the high speed one that goes up to the old hill station in Penang. It's like a roller-coaster.