Ikoma Cable Line

The Ikoma Cable Line (生駒鋼索線, Ikoma kōsaku sen), referred to as Ikoma Cable (生駒ケーブル, Ikoma kēburu), is a cable railway line owned and operated by the Kintetsu Railway, a Japanese major private railway. The line connects Toriimae to Ikomasanjo, all of which are within Ikoma, Nara, Japan.

Ikoma Cable Line (Ikoma Cable)
Motorable level crossing
at the passing loop of Hōzanji Line
Overview
Native name生駒鋼索線 (生駒ケーブル)
OwnerKintetsu Railway
Line number
LocaleIkoma, Nara, Japan
TerminiToriimae
Ikomasanjo
Stations5
Service
TypeCable railway
SystemKintetsu Railway
Operator(s)Kintetsu Railway
History
OpenedAugust 29, 1918 (1918-08-29)
Technical
Line length2 km (1.2 mi)
Number of tracks4
CharacterCable railway
Track gauge1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in)
Electrification200 V DC
Operating speed10.8 km/h (6.7 mph)
Ikoma Cable Line
Hōzanji Line
km
Ikoma
Ikoma, Keihanna
and Nara lines
0.0
 Toriimae
Toriimae Crossing 1
Toriimae Crossing 2
Toriimae Crossing 3
0.9
 Hōzanji
Sanjō Line
0.9
 Hōzanji
Hozanji Crossing
1.2
 Umeyashiki
1.6
 Kasumigaoka
Kasumigaoka Crossing
2.0
 Ikoma-Sanjō
km

Basic data
  • Lines and distances:
    • Hōzanji Line: Toriimae - Hōzanji, 0.9 km (0.6 mi)
    • Sanjō Line: Hōzanji - Ikoma-Sanjō, 1.1 km (0.7 mi)
  • Gauge: 1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in)
  • Stations: 5
  • Double track line: Toriimae — Hōzanji
  • Vertical interval:
    • Hōzanji Line: 146 m (479 ft)
    • Sanjō Line: 322 m (1,056 ft)

Overview

The Ikoma Cable Line is actually made up of two different lines; Hōzanji Line (宝山寺線, Hōzanji-sen) between Toriimae and Hōzanji, Sanjō Line (山上線, Sanjō-sen) between Hōzanji and Ikoma-Sanjō. The Hōzanji Line is the oldest commercially operated funicular in Japan, opened in 1918. It runs to Hōzan-ji, a Shingon Buddhist temple. Sanjō Line climbs up Mount Ikoma, reaching Ikoma Sanjo Amusement Park.

The Hōzanji Line is the only double-track funicular in the country. However, the two tracks are treated as different lines, called Hōzanji Line 1 (宝山寺1号線, Hōzanji Ichi-gō-sen) and Hōzanji Line 2 (宝山寺2号線, Hōzanji Ni-gō-sen). Normally, only Hōzanji Line 1 and Sanjō Line are used. Hōzanji Line 2 is operated in holiday seasons, and for safety inspections of the Line 1. Since the Hōzanji Line runs along a fairly urbanized area, it also functions as a commuter line. However, the line does not accept PiTaPa, a smart card ticketing system, nor Surutto Kansai, a prepaid magnetic card ticketing system.

Rolling stocks

Hōzanji Line 1 used classical 1928 cars until 2000, when they were replaced by the current fancy-decorated cars. Since then, bulldog-faced "Bull" and calico cat-faced "Mike" serve the line, both officially being Type Ko 11. Sanjō Line uses organ-like "Do-Re-Mi", cake-decorated "Sweet", both officially Type Ko 15. Hōzanji Line 2 uses ordinary-shaped Type Ko 3 cars, nicknamed "Yume-Ikoma".

  • "Bull" of Hōzanji Line 1
  • "Mike" of Hōzanji Line 1
  • "Do-Re-Mi" of Sanjō Line
  • "Sweet" of Sanjō Line

Stations

All stations are in Ikoma, Nara Prefecture. For distances and connections, see the route diagram.

See also

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