Dresden Funicular Railway

The Dresden Funicular Railway (German: Standseilbahn Dresden) is a funicular in Dresden, Germany connecting the districts of Loschwitz, near the "Blue Wonder" bridge, and Weisser Hirsch.[1][2]

Dresden Funicular Railway
Service
TypeFunicular
Technical
Track length547 metres (1,795 ft)
Rack systemAbt
Track gauge1,000 mm (3 ft 3 3⁄8 in) metre gauge
Maximum incline29%

The railway is one of two funicular railways in Dresden, the other being the unusual Schwebebahn Dresden, a suspended monorail. Both lines are operated by the Dresdner Verkehrsbetriebe AG, who also operate the city's tram, bus and ferry networks.[2]

History

Although the construction of the line has been discussed and planned since 1873, the permit to build the railway was not issued until 1893. The railway was opened on October 26, 1895, and was originally run by a steam engine.[1][2][3]

In 1910 the line was converted to run on electricity, and in 1912 its operation was transferred to the Dresden municipal tramways, whose successors still operate it. During the bombing of Dresden on the 13 February 1945, the lower station of the funicular was destroyed. However the lines cars had been moved for safety into the line's tunnels and survived.[1][2][3]

Major renewals took place in 1978 and 1993. On January 6, 2014, the line was again closed for a major refurbishment of both the cars and the line. The refurbishment is expected to be completed by April, 2014 and to cost €350,000.[3][4]

Operation

The funicular operates between 06:30 and 21:00 on weekdays, and between 09:00 and 21:00 at weekends and public holidays. During operating hours there are between four and six journeys per hour in each direction.[5]

The line has the following technical parameters:[2][6]

Number of cars 2
Number of stops 2
Configuration Single track with passing loop
Traction Electricity
Track length 547 metres (1,795 ft)
Rise 94 metres (308 ft)
Maximum gradient 29%
Track gauge 1,000 mm (3 ft 3 3⁄8 in) metre gauge
Speed 5 metres per second (16 ft/s)
Journey time 5 mins
Capacity 60 passengers per car; 630 persons per hour per direction
Tunnels Burgberg: 96 metres (315 ft)
Prinzess Louisa: 54 metres (177 ft)
Viaduct 102 metres (335 ft)
  • Abt switch used in 1895 built Dresden Funicular Railway (photo of 1985)
  • The line in 1910
  • Entrance to lower station
  • The lower station
  • The upper station

See also

References
  1. Gertoberens, Klaus (2006). Sächsische Erfindungen (in German). Dresden: Edition Sächsische Zeitung. ISBN 3-938325-31-3.
  2. "Die Standseilbahn" (in German). Dresdner Verkehrsbetriebe AG. Retrieved 2011-02-18.
  3. "Standseilbahn Dresden". bergbahngeschichte.de (in German). Retrieved 2014-01-14.
  4. "Verjüngungskur für Dresdner Standseilbahn bis Ostern" [Makeover for Dresden funicular to Easter] (in German). Dresdner Fernsehen. Retrieved 2014-01-14.
  5. "Haltestellenfahrpläne - Weißer Hirsch" (PDF). DVB. 2011-10-27. Retrieved 2012-11-13.
  6. "Weißer Hirsch". Funiculars.net. Retrieved 2009-03-23.


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