Funiculaire_du_Vieux-Québec

Old Quebec Funicular

Old Quebec Funicular

Canadian railway

46°48′45″N 71°12′14″W

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View from the funicular
Old Quebec Funicular

The Old Quebec Funicular (French: Funiculaire du Vieux-Québec) is an inclined elevator, formerly a funicular railway, in the Old Quebec neighbourhood of Quebec City, Quebec, Canada. It links the Haute-Ville (Upper Town) at Dufferin Terrace to the Basse-Ville (Lower Town) at Rue du Petit-Champlain. The Basse-Ville includes such sites as the colonial-era Notre Dame des Victoires church, the historic Petit Champlain district, the port, and the Musée de la civilisation (Museum of Civilization). Climbing at a 45-degree angle, the railway covers a total distance of 64 metres (210 ft).[1]

History

The funicular opened on November 17, 1879, and it originally used the water ballast system of propulsion. The line was converted to electrical operation in 1907. On July 2, 1945, a major fire destroyed the structure, necessitating a rebuild that was completed in 1946. Since then, major renovations have taken place in 1978 and 1998. In 2004, it celebrated 125 years of operating.[2]

In October 1996, Briton Helen Tombs was killed when the cable snapped and the emergency brake failed to stop the cabin before it crashed into the lower station.[3][4] As a result of this fatal crash, the funicular was closed and entirely revamped with modern technology. It reopened in 1998, technically as an inclined elevator, since both cabins are independent.[5][6]

The funicular has the following technical parameters:[7]

  • Length: 64 metres (210 ft)
  • Height: 59 metres (194 ft)
  • Cars: 2
  • Configuration: Double track
  • Traction: Electricity

See also

References

  1. [1]
    "Funicular - Quebec City 101". Quebec City 101. 21 March 2015. Retrieved May 18, 2016.
  2. [2]
    "History". Funiculaire du Vieux-Québec inc. Archived from the original on May 16, 2016. Retrieved March 23, 2007.
  3. [3]
    "Passenger Dies in Cable Car Plunge". Associated Press. Retrieved May 8, 2012.
  4. [4]
    Jury, Louise (October 14, 1996). "Briton killed as funicular car crashes". The Independent. London. Retrieved May 8, 2012.
  5. [5]
    "Transit History of Quebec". David A. Wyatt. Retrieved May 8, 2012.
  6. [6]
    "Le Funiculaire du Vieux-Québec fête son 130e anniversaire : 1879-2009" (in French). Marketwire.
  7. [7]
    "Funiculaire du Vieux-Quebec". Funiculars.net. Retrieved March 23, 2007.
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