Public Funiculars
of Czech Republic

Text and photos by Richard Bilek

Presentation | Prague - Letná | Prague - Petrín | Karlovy Vary - Slovenská ul. - Imperiál | Karlovy Vary - výšina Diana | Karlovy Vary - Divadelní ulice | Mrázovka -Hotel Mövenpick | Menu


Part 2 - Prague - Letná

 

History of Czech funiculars started in the end of 19th Century. An "Grand General Czech Exhibition" was held in this year in Praha. Varied Czech industrial works displayed there their works, and also new ways of urban transport were made at this time. One of the most popular was project of first Czech funicular and first Czech Electric Tramway betwenn historic centre and the exhibition place. Both they were opened in May 1891.

Funicular was relatively short, only 109 meters, and it started close to Franz-Josef's Bridge (now Stefanik's Bridge) and climbed up to Letna plateau, where electric tramway started. Maximum gradient was 370 o/oo, gauge was 1000 mm. Funicular used the system of water-superiorityy, so car that run downhill was filled with water (approx 5 cubic meters). This funicular was also equipped with Abt rack rail, it was used for braking.

Funicular was very succesfull, and remained in service also after closing of exhibition. It was still owned by private company, but in 1900 was sold to Elektricke podniky Praha, a city-owned transport company. They planned convert funicular to be electric-powered. This was done in 1903, and then funicular runned unchanged until 1915 (exact date is not known). Due to lack of passenger (no miracle, it was I. World War) was operation suspended.

After war in 1919, there was hope to restart service again, but unfortunately this was not done. In 1923 was funicular officialy closed.

In 1926 was build here public escalator (with wooden stairs!) instead. It remained in service until 1935, but it was abandoned too.

Today, only small rest of track can be seen here. But now is possible to visit Museum of Urban Transport, located in former tramway depot Stresovice, where beautiful and accurate model of this funicular is displayed...

 

 

 

Presentation | Prague - Letná | Prague - Petrín | Karlovy Vary - Slovenská ul. - Imperiál | Karlovy Vary - výšina Diana | Karlovy Vary - Divadelní ulice | Mrázovka -Hotel Mövenpick | Menu

Copyright 1998 by Michel Azéma, Paris (France)
E-Mail: contact