Funicular railways

Funicular railways are systems whose vehicles are pulled by a cable (hauling rope) and run on rails to travel back and forth between the 2 stations. Either each vehicle travels in its own track, or both vehicles use the same track, which in this case includes a crossing section in the middle of the route (known as the passing loop). In the latter case, the vehicles have guide wheels on one side and flat wheels on the other, and the guide wheels ensure that each vehicle is always on the same side of the lane in the passing loop.

The hauling rope runs on rollers installed at regular intervals between the tracks along the entire length of the line.

There are two different types of technologies:

• the rope is wound onto a winch located at the top engine room, which successively winds and unwinds the rope. In this case, the installation has just one vehicle.
• movement of the hauling rope is provided by a drive pulley at the top station, and each vehicle is attached to one end of the rope. Depending on the track geometry (gradients, curves, etc.), to improve adherence between the hauling rope and drive pulley, a second rope is used to connect the vehicles, forming a loop with the first. This is known as a bottom tow rope.

In addition to the machinery brakes, funicular vehicles have their own braking system which is applied to the rails when necessary, for example if the hauling rope breaks (known as rail brakes).

Examples of funicular railways in France :

• Urban funicular railways: Le Havre, Montmartre, Pau, etc.
• Tourist funicular railways: Les 2 Alpes, Tignes, Val d’Isère, Saint Hilaire du Touvet, etc.
• Industrial funicular railways: Penly nuclear plant, Blanc-Blanc link (Minatec Grenoble).