Funiculaire de Cossonay

Funicular railway in canton of Vaud, Switzerland

  • Cossonay-Gare
  • Cossonay-Ville at Avenue du Funiculaire
Connecting lines
  • Jura Foot line
  • Simplon line
Stations2Websitembc.chServiceTypeFunicularOperator(s)Transports de la région Morges-Bière-Cossonay (short: MBC)Rolling stock2 for 47 passengers eachHistoryOpened28 August 1897; 127 years ago (1897-08-28)TechnicalLine length1,228 metres (4,029 ft)Number of tracks1 with passing loopTrack gauge1,000 mm (3 ft 3+3⁄8 in) metre gaugeElectrification1982 (water counterbalancing before)Conduction systemautomated in 1969Operating speed4.5 metres per second (15 ft/s)Highest elevation563 m (1,847 ft)Maximum incline13%

The Funiculaire de Cossonay is a funicular railway connecting the town of Cossonay in the Swiss canton of Vaud with Cossonay-Penthalaz railway station, on the line from Lausanne to Vallorbe and Yverdon-les-Bains. The lower funicular station is called Cossonay-Gare, but is in the village of Penthalaz. The upper station, some 130 metres (430 ft) above, is named Cossonay-Ville .[1] The line has a length of 1228 m at a maximum incline of 13%.

History

The line was opened in 1897, and was initially operated as a water counterbalance funicular. In 1969, the line was automated, still as a water counterbalance funicular. In 1982, the line was rebuilt and converted to electric operation, with new cabins and stations.[1]

The funicular was again completely overhauled between 2012 and 2014, reopening on June 10. At the same time, the 1982-built cabins were refurbished and repainted in its owner's green and cream. During the overhaul period, a replacement bus operated the connection.[2]

Operation

The Compagnie du Chemin de fer Funiculaire de la Gare à la Ville de Cossonay , after a name change in 2003 Funiculaire de la Gare à la Ville de Cossonay SA, was founded in 1892. In 2010 the company was merged[3] into the Transports de la région Morges-Bière-Cossonay, which had assumed operation already before, but then on behalf of the original owner company. The funicular is completely automatic and has the following parameters:[1][4]

Feature Value
Number of cars 2
Number of stops 2
Configuration Single track with passing loop
Mode of operation Automated
Track length 1,228 metres (4,029 ft)
Rise 135 metres (443 ft)
Average gradient 11.5%
Maximum gradient 13%
Track gauge 1,000 mm (3 ft 3+3⁄8 in) metre gauge
Capacity 47 passengers per car
Maximum speed 4.5 metres per second (15 ft/s)
Travel time 6 minutes

See also

  • upper station with car in blue (2010)
    upper station with car in blue (2010)
  • Share of Compagnie du Chemin de fer funiculaire de la Gare à la Ville de Cossonay, issued 1. March 1897
    Share of Compagnie du Chemin de fer funiculaire de la Gare à la Ville de Cossonay, issued 1. March 1897

References

  1. ^ a b c "CG - Cossonay Gare-Ville". Funimag. Retrieved 13 October 2011.
  2. ^ Amman, Christian (November 2014). "Cossonay funicular reopens". Today's Railways Europe. No. 227. Sheffield: Platform 5 Publishing. p. 15.
  3. ^ Registre du Commerce du Canton de Vaud
  4. ^ "Cossonay - Gare–Ville". Lift-World.info. Retrieved 8 August 2011.
  • Media related to Cossonay–Gare–Ville funicular at Wikimedia Commons
  • Funicular's page on Transports de la région Morges-Bière-Cossonay web site