Kurwaldbahn, Funicular railway in Bad Ems, Germany
Kurwaldbahn is a funicular railway in Bad Ems, Rhineland-Palatinate, that carries passengers up a steep hillside on a short route. Two cars run simultaneously on a single track and pass each other at a crossing point in the middle of the line.
The funicular opened in 1979, replacing an older system that had stopped running. Its opening restored a direct connection between the town and the hillside above it.
The funicular brings visitors to the Bismarckturm, a tower above Bad Ems that looks out over the Lahn valley. The tower is a popular destination for a short walk, and the ride up has become part of the local experience for anyone visiting the town.
Each car holds around 25 people and the ride takes just over a minute from bottom to top. The funicular runs every day, so visitors can generally board whenever they arrive during opening hours.
Despite its short length, the line climbs one of the steepest gradients of any funicular in Germany. This makes it a technically demanding installation for such a brief journey.
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