Petřín funicular

The Petřín funicular is a funicular railway in the Czech capital city of Prague. It links the Malá Strana district with the top of Petřín (Czech pronunciation: [ˈpɛtr̝̊iːn]) hill. The funicular has three stops: Újezd (at the bottom of the hill), Nebozízek (the middle station) and Petřín (at the top of the hill). The funicular operates daily from 9 am to 11:20 pm, interval is between 15 and 20 minutes.[1] On the funicular applies regular time tickets of Prague Integrated Transport.

Petřín funicular
Overview
Native nameLanová dráha na Petřín
LocalePrague, Czech Republic
Stations3
Service
TypeFunicular
History
Opened1891 (1891)
Technical
Line length0.510 km (0.317 mi)
Number of tracks1 with passing loop
Track gauge1,435 mm (4 ft 8 1⁄2 in) standard gauge
Highest elevation130 m (430 ft)
Maximum incline29.5%

History
3-rail track, early 20th century
Wheelset of the first version

The line was originally opened in 1891,[2] with a length of 383 metres (1,257 ft), a track gauge of 1,000 mm (3 ft 3 3⁄8 in) metre gauge, and water balance propulsion. This original line closed with start of the First World War in 1914 and did not reopen after the end of hostilities.[2] The current longer line opened in 1932 with a different track gauge and completely new equipment, and operated throughout the Second World War. However a landslide in 1965 caused the service to be suspended, and it was not resumed until 1985.[2] At that time new cars were provided and the track was reconstructed, but the original machinery retained.[3]

Although design and architecture of the stations are similar to Prague Metro, the funicular is actually operated by the trams division of the city transport company.

According to Czech legend, the name of the middle station Nebozízek stems from an incident in which little son of Emperor Charles IV, requesting food, was unable to properly pronounce the Czech letter "ř" when he requested for a schnitzel, so instead of "nebo řízek" (meaning, "or schnitzel"), he expressed the word Nebozízek which actually means little gimlet.

Parameters
Nebozízek station
Train passes through the Hunger Wall
Újezd station

The funicular has the following technical parameters:[4]

  • Length: 510 metres (1,673 ft)
  • Height: 130 metres (427 ft)
  • Stations: 3
  • Cars: 2
  • Maximum gradient: 29.5%
  • Configuration: Single track with passing loop
  • Track gauge: 1,435 mm (4 ft 8 1⁄2 in) standard gauge
  • Capacity: 101 passengers per car
  • Traction: Electricity

See also

References
  1. "Funicular to Petřín". Dpp.cz. Retrieved 2019-12-23.
  2. Wilson, Felice (6 December 2000). "Revamped funicular enjoys third life". The Prague Post. Archived from the original on 16 December 2013. Retrieved 16 December 2013.
  3. "Public Funiculars of Czech Republic". funimag.com. Retrieved April 20, 2007.
  4. "Petrin". Funiculars.net. Retrieved April 20, 2007.


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