Fribourg funicular
Water-powered funicular railway in Switzerland
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Fribourg funicular, also known as the Neuveville - Saint-Pierre funicular, is a funicular railway in the Swiss town of Fribourg. It is powered by the use of wastewater as ballast.[2]
Other nameNeuveville - Saint-Pierre funicular
Native nameFuniculaire Neuveville - Saint-Pierre à Fribourg
Statusin operation
OwnerTransports publics Fribourgeois (since 2000); Société du Funiculaire Neuveville-St-Pierre à Fribourg SA (-1977); Transports en commun de Fribourg SA (1977-2000)
| Fribourg funicular | |
|---|---|
| |
| Overview | |
| Other name | Neuveville - Saint-Pierre funicular |
| Native name | Funiculaire Neuveville - Saint-Pierre à Fribourg |
| Status | in operation |
| Owner | Transports publics Fribourgeois (since 2000); Société du Funiculaire Neuveville-St-Pierre à Fribourg SA (-1977); Transports en commun de Fribourg SA (1977-2000) |
| Locale | Fribourg, Switzerland |
| Termini |
|
| Stations | 2 |
| Website | tpf.ch |
| Service | |
| Type | Commuter funicular |
| System | Wastewater-powered funicular railway |
| Route number | 2030[1] |
| Operator | Transports publics Fribourgeois |
| Rolling stock | 2 Von Roll cabins |
| History | |
| Work began | 1898 |
| Opened | 4 February 1899 |
| Completed | 1899 |
| Technical | |
| Line length | 121 metres (397 ft) |
| Number of tracks | 1 with passing loop |
| Character | Commuter and touristic funicular |
| Track gauge | 1,200 mm (3 ft 11+1⁄4 in) |
| Electrification | - (water counterbalancing) |
| Operating speed | 1.2 metres per second (3.9 ft/s) |
| Highest elevation | 609 metres (1,998 ft) |
| Maximum incline | 55% |
History
Operation
The rolling stock is made up of two opposing Von Roll cabins, which act as counterweights. Wastewater from the Saint-Pierre neighborhood is poured into the upper cabin, driving it downwards and the other cabin upwards. The wastewater is then dumped back out into the lower Neuveville neighborhood's sewer system.[2] Racks are present at the bottom station for braking.