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 1228 m at a maximum incline of 13%.
| Funiculaire de Cossonay | |
|---|---|
 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 |
| Status | In 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″N 6°30′59″E / 46.608914°N 6.51648°E |
| Termini |
|
| Connecting lines | |
| Stations | 2 |
| Website | mbc.ch |
| Service | |
| Type | Funicular |
| Operator(s) | Transports de la région Morges-Bière-Cossonay (short: MBC) |
| Rolling stock | 2 for 47 passengers each |
| History | |
| Opened | 28 August 1897 |
| Technical | |
| Line length | 1,228 metres (4,029 ft) |
| Number of tracks | 1 with passing loop |
| Track gauge | 1,000 mm (3 ft 3+3⁄8 in) metre gauge |
| Electrification | 1982 (water counterbalancing before) |
| Conduction system | automated in 1969 |
| Operating speed | 4.5 metres per second (15 ft/s) |
| Highest elevation | 563 m (1,847 ft) |
| Maximum incline | 13% |
History edit
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 edit
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]
| Feature | Value |
|---|---|
| Number of cars | 2 |
| Number of stops | 2 |
| Configuration | Single track with passing loop |
| Mode of operation | Automated |
| Track length | 1,228 metres (4,029 ft) |
| Rise | 135 metres (443 ft) |
| Average gradient | 11.5% |
| Maximum gradient | 13% |
| Track gauge | 1,000 mm (3 ft 3+3⁄8 in) metre gauge |
| Capacity | 47 passengers per car |
| Maximum speed | 4.5 metres per second (15 ft/s) |
| Travel time | 6 minutes |
See also edit
Gallery edit
-
upper station with car in blue (2010) -
Share of Compagnie du Chemin de fer funiculaire de la Gare à la Ville de Cossonay, issued 1. March 1897
References edit
- ^ a b c "CG - Cossonay Gare-Ville". Funimag. Retrieved 13 October 2011.
- ^ Amman, Christian (November 2014). "Cossonay funicular reopens". Today's Railways Europe. No. 227. Sheffield: Platform 5 Publishing. p. 15.
- ^ Registre du Commerce du Canton de Vaud
- ^ "Cossonay - Gare–Ville". Lift-World.info. Retrieved 8 August 2011.
External links edit
Media related to Cossonay–Gare–Ville funicular at Wikimedia Commons- Funicular's page on Transports de la région Morges-Bière-Cossonay web site
