Funiculaire de Cossonay

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 1,228 m (4,029 ft) 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	46.608914°N 6.51648°E / 46.608914; 6.51648
Termini	Cossonay-Gare Cossonay-Ville at Avenue du Funiculaire
Connecting lines	Jura Foot line Simplon line
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; 127 years ago (1897-08-28)
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

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

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

• List of funicular railways
• List of funiculars in Switzerland

Gallery

• 
  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