Beppu Rakutenchi Cable Line, Funicular railway in Beppu, Japan.
The Beppu Rakutenchi Cable Line is a funicular railway that connects the lower town to an amusement park on the hillside above, rising through a scenic wooded slope. The short journey carries passengers in paired cabins that travel in opposite directions along a single shared track.
The line began operations in 1929 as a modern transport solution connecting the town to the hilltop amusement park. It has remained in continuous service since its opening, adapting to the changing needs of visitors over nearly a century.
The funicular system incorporates Swiss engineering principles through the Gisela Bern method, where two cars maintain perfect balance using wire rope mechanisms.
The journey is short and straightforward, requiring no special preparation or equipment before boarding. Weather conditions can affect operations, so checking local announcements on rainy or very windy days is worthwhile.
Two synchronized cars move in opposite directions on the track, using a 32-millimeter diameter wire rope controlled by a motor at the summit.
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