Funiculaire de Cossonay

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Funiculaire de Cossonay
Funiculaire Cossonay-Penthalaz,gare - Cossonay, ville.jpg
passing loop with the two cars (2014)
Overview
Other name(s)Funiculaire Cossonay-Ville–Cossonay-Gare; Funiculaire de la Gare à la Ville de Cossonay
StatusIn operation
Owner Transports de la région Morges-Bière-Cossonay (since 2010); Compagnie du Chemin de fer funiculaire de la Gare à la Ville de Cossonay (1892-2003, name change), Funiculaire de la Gare à la Ville de Cossonay SA (2003-2010)
Locale Vaud, Switzerland
Coordinates 46°36′32″N6°30′59″E / 46.608914°N 6.51648°E / 46.608914; 6.51648
Termini
Connecting lines
Stations2
Website mbc.ch
Service
Type Funicular
Operator(s) Transports de la région Morges-Bière-Cossonay (short: MBC)
Rolling stock2 for 47 passengers each
History
Opened28 August 1897;128 years ago (1897-08-28)
Technical
Line length1,228 metres (4,029 ft)
Number of tracks1 with passing loop
Track gauge 1,000 mm (3 ft 3+38 in) metre gauge
Electrification 1982 (water counterbalancing before)
Conduction systemautomated in 1969
Operating speed4.5 metres per second (15 ft/s)
Highest elevation563 m (1,847 ft)
Maximum incline 13%

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 1,228 m (4,029 ft) at a maximum incline of 13%.

Contents

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]

FeatureValue
Number of cars2
Number of stops2
Configuration Single track with passing loop
Mode of operationAutomated
Track length1,228 metres (4,029 ft)
Rise135 metres (443 ft)
Average gradient 11.5%
Maximum gradient13%
Track gauge 1,000 mm (3 ft 3+38 in) metre gauge
Capacity47 passengers per car
Maximum speed4.5 metres per second (15 ft/s)
Travel time6 minutes

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 "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.