Festungsbahn (Salzburg)

Festungsbahn

One of the latest cars, dating from 2011
Overview
Type Funicular
Coordinates 47°47′45″N 13°02′46″E / 47.795701°N 13.04619°E / 47.795701; 13.04619Coordinates: 47°47′45″N 13°02′46″E / 47.795701°N 13.04619°E / 47.795701; 13.04619
Operation
Opened 1892
Owner Salzburg AG
Technical
Line length 191 metres (627 ft)
Track gauge 1,040 mm (3 ft 5 in)[1]
Maximum incline 62%
Car approaching the upper station
The previous generation of car in use in 2008
Entrance to the lower station

The Festungsbahn is a funicular railway providing public access to the Hohensalzburg Castle at Salzburg in Austria. It links the castle with Festungsgasse, under the north side of the castle walls. The Festungsbahn opened in 1892, and should not be confused with the much older Reisszug funicular that provides goods access to the castle.[2][3]

The line is operated by Salzburg AG, who also operate the city's buses and the Salzburger Lokalbahn.[4]

History

The Festungsbahn opened in 1892 as a water balance funicular operated by the Salzburger Eisenbahn- und Tramwaygesellschaft. Previously used as barracks, the line made the castle available to a broader range of visitors.[5][6]

The line was rebuilt with new cars and an electric drive in 1960, whilst the lower and upper stations were rebuilt in 1975 and 1976 respectively. In 1991 the line was again modernised, with the provision of new cars with an increased passenger capacity and a faster line speed.[5][6]

Between January and April 2011, the funicular was again modernized, at a cost of €4 million. Two new vehicles were provided and the electrical equipment replaced. Panoramic windows offer a better view of the city.[5][6]

Operation

The line operates every day from 09:00. The time of the last car varies from 17:00 to 22:00 depending on the time of year.[7]

The line has the following technical parameters:[3][6]

Configuration Single track with passing loop
Length 191 metres (627 ft)
Height 99 metres (325 ft)
Maximum Steepness 62%
Stations: 2 Dom (47°47′47″N 13°02′46″E / 47.796440°N 13.046041°E / 47.796440; 13.046041, lower)
Festung (47°47′45″N 13°02′46″E / 47.795761°N 13.046179°E / 47.795761; 13.046179, upper)
Cars 2
Capacity 55 passengers per car
Gauge 1,040 mm (3 ft 5 in)
Maximum speed 5.5 metres per second (18 ft/s)
Journey time 1 minute
Traction Electricity

See also

References

  1. ↑ "FestungBahn & MönchsbergAufzug, Unternehmen, Daten und Fakten" (in German). Salzburg AG. Archived from the original on April 30, 2012. Retrieved 2014-06-01.
  2. ↑ "Der Reiszug - Part 1 - Presentation". Funimag. Retrieved April 22, 2009.
  3. 1 2 "Festungsbahn". Funiculars.net. Retrieved April 23, 2009.
  4. ↑ "Festungsbahn" (in German). Salzburg AG. Retrieved July 12, 2013.
  5. 1 2 3 "Geschichte und Technik" [History and Technology] (in German). Salzburg AG. Archived from the original on February 22, 2012. Retrieved July 12, 2013.
  6. 1 2 3 4 "Festungsbahn - Unternehmen" [Festungsbahn - Business] (in German). Salzburg AG. Retrieved July 12, 2013.
  7. ↑ "Festungsbahn - Fahrplan & Tarife" [Festungsbahn - Timetable & Fares] (in German). Salzburg AG. Retrieved July 12, 2013.
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