World's Steepest Funicular Railway Carries People Up 47.73-Degree Incline

The steepest funicular railway in the entire world entered service last weekend in Switzerland. A funicular railway is a type of railway that uses trams and a cable to get up and down a steep incline. The new railway connects the mountain village of Stoos to the valley below.

To make the ride more comfortable for the passengers, the round cars tilt as the train travels up the incline keeping passengers upright. The entire track is about a mile long and there are two cars each capable of carrying 136 passengers per trip.

The cars travel at a slow and steady pace of 22 mph and it takes four minutes for the cars to make the trip that includes 2,500 feet of elevation change. The trip starts at an altitude of 562m and ends at an altitude of 1,306 m.

The train travels through three tunnels and a bridge that spans 1,640 feet. There are four of the round cars on each train. One point of the track does have dual tracks to allow the trains to pass each other, while most of the track allows only a single train.

A portion of that bridge span goes across a river. The log structures near the beginning of the track appear to be there to stop any rocks or falling debris from hitting the trains. The tunnels are very narrow, but are lit and have stairs in case of emergency.

SOURCE: NewAtlas