Standseilbahn Stuttgart

The funicular ascending to the forest cemetery

Car number 1 in the upper station

Car number 1 in the lower station

The Standseilbahn Stuttgart or Stuttgart Cable Car is a funicular railway in the city of Stuttgart, Germany. The line links the Südheimer Platz valley station with the Stuttgart Degerloch forest cemetery in the south quarters of Heslach. Operated by Stuttgarter Straßenbahnen AG (SSB), it was opened on 30 October 1929 to facilitate visitors to the forest cemetery which is 90 metres (295 ft) above Stuttgart Heslach. At Südheimer Platz, the funicular connects to Stuttgart Stadtbahn lines U1 and U14.

Overview

The funicular has the following technical parameters:

• Length: 536 metres (1,759 ft)
• Height: 87 metres (285 ft)
• Maximum steepness: 28.3%
• Journey time: 3 minutes
• Cars: 2
• Capacity: 74 passengers per car
• Traction: Electricity
• Track Gauge: 1,000 mm (3 ft 3 ³⁄₈ in)

The two cars, constructed of teak, were manufactured by Esslingen Engine Works. In December 1999, one of the cars was damaged by an uprooted tree as a result of a thunderstorm, but was afterwards restored. The line was modernised in 2004 in order to meet the new European Union safety guidelines. Since 24 July 2004, it is again running on schedule.

The line is one of two active transport tourist attractions in Stuttgart, the other being the Stuttgart Rack Railway (line 10).

The line sometimes is referred to as 'Erbschleicherexpress' which translates as legacy hunter express.

See also

• List of funicular railways

References

Specific

General

1. Hans-Joachim Knupfer: Hoch über Heslach - Die Stuttgarter Seilbahn. 75 Jahre Technik- und Verkehrsgeschichte. Stuttgarter Straßenbahnen AG, Stuttgart 2004, ISBN 3-00-013868-4
2. G. Bauer, U. Theurer, C. Jeanmaire: Stuttgarter Straßenbahnen. Eine Dokumentation über die Straßenbahnlinien von 1868 - 1975. Verlag Eisenbahn Gut Vorhard, Villigen AG 1976, ISBN 3-85649-026-4, page 232
3. Gottfried Bauer, Ulrich Theurer: Von der Straßenbahn zur Stadtbahn Stuttgart 1975-2000. Eine Dokumentation über den Schienenverkehr der Stuttgarter Straßenbahnen AG (SSB) zwischen 1975 und 2000. Stuttgarter Straßenbahnen AG, Stuttgart 2000, ISBN 3-00-006615-2, pages 167,204-205

External links

• (German) Standseilbahn Stuttgart at trampicturebook.de
• (German) Description of the heslach round walk which incorporates a ride with the Standseilbahn Stuttgart