Kintetsu Ikoma Cable Line

The nihongo|Ikoma Cable|生駒ケーブル|Ikoma Kēburu is a funicular line of a Japanese major private railway Kintetsu, between Toriimae and Ikoma-Sanjō, all within Ikoma, Nara, Japan. The line is officially called nihongo|Ikoma Cable Line|生駒鋼索線|Ikoma Kōsakusen.

Basic data

*Lines and distances:
**Hōzanji Line: Toriimae - Hōzanji, 0.9 km
**Sanjō Line: Hōzanji - Ikoma-Sanjō, 1.1 km
*Gauge: 1067mm
*Stations: 5
*Double-track line: Toriimae — Hōzanji
**Quadruple at the passing point
*Vertical interval:
**Hōzanji Line: 146 m
**Sanjō Line: 322 m

Overview

Ikoma Cable Line is actually made up of two different lines; nihongo|Hōzanji Line|宝山寺線|Hōzanji-sen between Toriimae and Hōzanji, nihongo|Sanjō Line|山上線|Sanjō-sen between Hōzanji and Ikoma-Sanjō. Hōzanji Line is the first commercially operated funicular in Japan, opened in 1918. It runs to Hōzan-ji, a Shingon Buddhism temple. Sanjō Line climbs up Mount Ikoma, reaching Skyland Ikoma amusement park.

Hōzanji Line is the only double-track funicular in the country. However, two tracks are treated as different lines, called nihongo|Hōzanji Line 1|宝山寺1号線|Hōzanji Ichi-gō-sen and nihongo|Hōzanji Line 2|宝山寺2号線|Hōzanji Ni-gō-sen. Normally, only Hōzanji Line 1 and Sanjō Line are operated. Hōzanji Line 2 is operated in holiday seasons, as well as in safety inspections of the Line 1. Since Hōzanji Line runs along a fairly urbanized area, it also functions as a commuter line. However, the line does not accept PiTaPa, a smart card ticketing system, neither Surutto Kansai, a prepaid magnetic card ticketing system.

Cars

Hōzanji Line 1 used classical 1928 cars until 2000, when they were replaced to the current fancy-decorated cars. Since then, dog-faced "Bull" and cat-faced "Mike" serve the line, both officially being Type Ko 11. Sanjō Line uses organ-like "Do-Re-Mi", cake-decorated "Sweet", both officially Type Ko 15. Hōzanji Line 2 uses ordinary-shaped Type Ko 3 cars, nicknamed "Yume-Ikoma".

Stations

All stations are in Ikoma, Nara Prefecture. For distances and connections, see the route diagram.
*Hōzanji Line 1 and 2
**Toriimae (鳥居前)
**Hōzanji (宝山寺)
*Sanjō Line (D: Direct trains stop, operated seasonally)
**Hōzanji D
**Umeyashiki (梅屋敷)
**Kasumigaoka (霞ヶ丘)
**Ikoma-Sanjō D (生駒山上)

ee also

*Funicular railway
*List of funicular railways
*List of railway lines in Japan