Monte Brè funicular

Monte Brè funicular
Upper section car
Overview
Other name(s)Funicolare Cassarate-Monte Brè
Statusin operation
OwnerSocietà Funicolare Cassarate-Monte Brè SA[note 1]
LocaleTicino, Switzerland
Termini
Stations6 (including Suvigliana, Albonago, Aldesago, "Brè Villaggio")
Service
TypeFunicular with 2 sections
Operator(s)Società Funicolare Cassarate-Monte Brè SA[note 1]
Rolling stock4 (2 on each section)
History
Opened10 June 1908; 116 years ago (1908-06-10) (first section); 17 February 1912 (1912-02-17) (second section)
Enhancements1959, 1984
Technical
Track length1,599 metres (5,246 ft)
Number of tracks1 each section with a passing loop
Track gaugeMetre (3 ft 3+3⁄8 in)
Electrificationfrom opening
Highest elevation883 m (2,897 ft)
Maximum incline60.5%
Route map
Map
Map
Car approaching the upper terminus of the upper section of the Monte Brè funicular.
Looking downhill to Lugano from a car descending the upper section.
Looking downhill from a car about to enter the lower station of the upper section.
Cars at the passing loop of the lower section.

The Monte Brè funicular, or Funicolare Cassarate - Monte Brè, is a funicular railway in the city of Lugano in the Swiss canton of Ticino. The line links a lower station in the Lugano suburb of Cassarate with an upper station at 883 m near the summit of the Monte Brè. The top yields views of the city and Lake Lugano.[1]

The funicular is composed of two separate and independent sections. The first section links the stops of Cassarate and Suvigliana and is only 196 metres (643 ft) long. At Suvigliana passengers must cross the road to reach the lower station of the second, and significantly longer, section. This section is 1,403 metres (4,603 ft) long, and is very sinuous with further intermediate stops of Albonago, Aldesago and Brè Villaggio. The first three intermediate stops serve the villages of Suvigliana, Albonago and Aldesago, all of which are on the western flank of Monte Brè, whilst the Brè Villaggio stop is linked to the village of Brè on the eastern flank by a 1 kilometre (0.62 mi) long path.[1]

The Monte Brè funicular is one of three operational funiculars within the Lugano area. The other two are the Monte San Salvatore funicular, which ascends Monte San Salvatore on the opposite side of the city, and the Lugano Città–Stazione funicular, which links the city centre with the railway station.[2]

History

The concession for the construction of the funicular was granted in 1905, with the intention of creating a resort where the inhabitants of Lugano could, without abandoning their businesses, enjoy the cool during the heat of summer, along with the views. The lower section opened in 1908, with the upper section following in 1912.[1][3][4][5]

In 1959, the cars of the lower section were replaced with the new metal-bodied cars in a then-modern style, with a capacity of 42 persons each. Similarly new cars were provided for the upper section in 1984, although in this case the cars had a capacity of 68 persons and were designed with a nostalgic look. In both cases, the cars are still in use.[4][5]

Operation

The line has the following parameters:[1][3]

Feature Lower section Upper section
Number of cars 2 2
Number of stops 2 5
Configuration Single track with passing loop Single track with passing loop
Mode of operation Automatic Manual
Track length 196 metres (643 ft) 1,403 metres (4,603 ft)
Rise 102 metres (335 ft) 522 metres (1,713 ft)
Maximum gradient 60.5% 47.5%
Track gauge 1,000 mm (3 ft 3+3⁄8 in) 1,000 mm (3 ft 3+3⁄8 in)
Capacity 30 passengers per car 68 passengers per car
Maximum speed 2 metres per second (6.6 ft/s) 3 metres per second (9.8 ft/s)
Journey time 4 minutes 12 minutes
Opened 10 June 1908 (1908-06-10) 17 February 1912 (1912-02-17)

Notes

  1. ^ a b In 2019, "SA" was added and changed to uppercase: "SOCIETÀ FUNICOLARE CASSARATE-MONTE BRÈ SA"

See also

Further reading

  • Consiglio federale (1905), "Message du Conseil fédéral à l'Assemblée fédérale concernant la concession d'un chemin de fer funiculaire électrique de Cassarate sur le Monte Brè (Du 17 mars 1905.)", Feuille fédérale (in French), 1905/2 (14): 555–558
  • Consiglio federale (1913), Rapport présenté à l'Assemblée fédérale par le Conseil fédéral suisse sur sa gestion en 1912, Bern, p. 698{{citation}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
  • Consiglio federale (1909), Rapport du Conseil fédéral à l'Assemblée fédérale sur sa gestion pendant l'année 1908, Bern, p. 699{{citation}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)

References

  1. ^ a b c d "Funicolare Cassarate - Monte Brè". Funimag. Retrieved 8 April 2012.
  2. ^ Eisenbahnatlas Schweiz. Verlag Schweers + Wall GmbH. 2012. pp. 58–59. ISBN 978-3-89494-130-7.
  3. ^ a b "The funicular". Società Funicolare Monte Brè. Archived from the original on 21 February 2012. Retrieved 8 April 2012.
  4. ^ a b "61.007 Cassarate - Monte Brè sezione 1, Lugano, Funiculare", Schweizer Seilbahninventar = Inventaire suisse des installations à câbles = Inventario svizzero degli impianti a fune (in Italian, German, and French), Federal Office of Culture, retrieved 6 November 2010
  5. ^ a b "61.008 Cassarate - Monte Brè sezione 2, Lugano, Funiculare", Schweizer Seilbahninventar = Inventaire suisse des installations à câbles = Inventario svizzero degli impianti a fune (in Italian, German, and French), Federal Office of Culture, retrieved 6 November 2010


46°00′22″N 8°58′13″E / 46.006214°N 8.970364°E / 46.006214; 8.970364