Ritom funicular, Steep funicular railway in Piotta, Switzerland
The Ritom funicular is a steep cable railway in Piotta that carries passengers high into the Alpine region. It climbs from the lower station to the upper station, with the track rising sharply against the mountainside.
The railway was built in 1917 to help move materials during construction of a power station pipeline. It began carrying passengers in 1921 and supported the electrification project for the railway network in the region.
The funicular represents Swiss engineering excellence in mountain transportation, connecting valley communities with high-altitude settlements in the Alpine region of Ticino.
The railway operates during the warmer months and takes visitors high quickly. Wear sturdy footwear and prepare for a steep ride, as the track slopes dramatically from start to finish.
An original cable car from 1921 sits on display at the lower station and shows how the system once worked. The current installation uses technology installed during a major modernization in 1978 to handle the extreme slope.
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