Funiculars of Lyon

The Funiculars of Lyon (Funiculaires de Lyon) is a network of funicular railways in Lyon, France. Of the five lines once in existence, two remain with the rest of the network now either closed, converted to road vehicle use, or integrated within the Lyon underground system.

No less than five funicular lines, nicknamed "ficelles" were built.
*The first line opened in 1862 and linked Rue Terme and Boulevard de la Croix Rousse. The funicular was closed and converted to a road tunnel in 1968.
*The second line opened in 1891 and served the Butte de la Croix Rousse. The line was converted into a rack railway in 1972 and rebuilt and extended at both ends to become Line C of the Lyon Metro in 1978.
*The third line opened in 1878 linking Saint-Jean to Saint-Just with an intermediate station at Minimes, climbing the Fourvière hill. The line was converted to a rack railway in 1901 and back to a funicular in 1958.
*The fourth and fifth lines were opened in 1900, linking the Tour Metallique on Fourvière hill to Saint-Paul and the Basilica on Fourvière with Saint-Jean. The first was closed in 1937 and the second was modernised in 1970 with a change of gauge from RailGauge|1 to convert|1300|mm|ftin. The Fourvière - Saint-Jean line is convert|431|m long with a 30% incline.

Both lines still in service were modernised again in 1986 and 1987. A new station at Saint-Jean was built in 1991 to serve the new Line D of the Metro and both funicular lines, and the whole complex named Vieux-Lyon.

Network

External links

* [http://www.tcl.fr/site/00_plans_reseau/pdf/lyon_villeurbanne.pdf Plan of Lyon metro and funiculars]
* [http://www.mediathequepartdieu.fr Picture library of transport in Lyon]