funicular
Sign in to savethumb|upright|Funicular in Baku, Azerbaijan
AI overview
A funicular is a cable-powered railway system that travels up and down steep slopes or hillsides, using counterbalanced cars to move passengers efficiently. These systems are commonly built in hilly or mountainous cities to help people reach higher elevations without the difficulty of climbing or walking up steep terrain.
AI-generated from the Wikipedia summary — may contain errors.
Article
13 sectionsContents
- Operation
- Types of power systems
- Cable drive
- Water counterbalancing
- Track layout
- Turnout systems for two-rail funiculars
- Stations
- History
- Exceptional examples
- Comparison with inclined elevators
- See also
- References
- External links
thumb|upright|Funicular in Baku, Azerbaijan
A funicular ( ), or funicular railway, is a type of cable railway system that connects points along a railway track laid on a steep slope. 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. The result of such a configuration is that the two carriages move synchronously: as one ascends, the other descends at an equal speed. This feature distinguishes funiculars from inclined elevators, which have a single car that is hauled uphill.