A funicular (/fjuːˈnɪkjʊlər, f(j)ʊ-, f(j)ə-/ few-NIK-yoo-lər, f(y)uu-, f(j)ə-)[1] 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.[2][3] 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.[2][3][4]
The term funicular derives from the Latin word funiculus, the diminutive of funis, meaning 'rope'.[5]
- ^ "funicular". Oxford English Dictionary (Online ed.). Oxford University Press. Retrieved 30 May 2020. (Subscription or participating institution membership required.)
- ^ a b The Giessbach Funicular with the World's First Abt Switch (PDF). The American Society of Mechanical Engineers. 2015.
- ^ a b Kittelson & Assoc; Parsons Brinckerhoff; KFH Group; Texas A&M Transportation Institute; Arup (2013). "Chapter 11: Glossary and Symbols". Transit Capacity and Quality of Service Manual. Transit Cooperative Highway Research Program (TCRP) Report 165 (Third ed.). Washington: Transportation Research Board. pp. 11–20. doi:10.17226/24766. ISBN 978-0-309-28344-1.
- ^ Pyrgidis, Christos N. (2016). "Cable railway systems for steep gradients". Railway Transportation Systems: Design, Construction and Operation. CRC Press. pp. 251–260. ISBN 978-1-4822-6215-5.
- ^ "funicular". Oxford Dictionaries. Archived from the original on 3 July 2018. Retrieved 3 July 2018.