Funiculaire Lausanne-Signal

Funiculaire Lausanne-Signal was a funicular railway in Lausanne, Switzerland. The line led from Vallon near the old town at 450 m to the viewpoint Signal de Sauvabelin at 564 m.[2] It had a length of 467 m[1] with a difference of elevation of 114 m[2] and a maximum inclination of 28%.[2] The funicular with two cars had a single track with a passing loop, a tunnel of 135 m just below the upper station, and a viaduct of 127 m.[1] It opened on 18 October 1898,[2][1] a few years after the Lac de Sauvabelin had been built. Two generators at the upper station powered the line until electrification in 1903.[2]

Funiculaire Lausanne-Signal
Overview
Other name(s)Funiculaire du Signal
StatusCeased operation
OwnerCompagnie du chemin de fer du Lausanne-Signal
LocaleLausanne
Switzerland
Termini
  • Lausanne (Vallon)
  • Signal
Stations2
Service
TypeFunicular
Rolling stock2 for 50 persons each[1]
History
Opened14:08, 18 October 1899 (1899-10-18T14:08)
Closed31 October 1948 (1948-10-31)
Technical
Number of tracks1 with passing loop
Track gauge1,000 mm (3 ft 3+38 in)
Electrification1903
Highest elevation564 m (1,850 ft)
Maximum incline28%

The line closed in 1948.[2]

In 2005, remains of the line are still visible: lower station building, stone arches of the viaduct and parts of the tunnel. The lower portion of the tunnel is partially accessible.[2]

References edit

  1. ^ a b c d Vautier, Alph. (1900), "Le Funiculaire Lausanne-Signal", Bulletin Technique de la Suisse Romande (in French), 26 (4): 29–33
  2. ^ a b c d e f g Sansonnens, Julien (2005), Le funiculaire du Lausanne-Signal, Récit d'une ligne oubliée (in French), Lausanne{{citation}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)