THE STEEPEST RAILWAYS ON EARTH

“Before trains were ever imagined, funicular railways were created to transport people and goods from Point A to Point B. Interestingly, in the funicular design, Point A and Point B are separated by a sharp change in altitude. Though it would seem that getting a car up a hill is harder than moving it across a flat surface, using a design technology similar to a rope pulley, the funicular railway was possible. Two funicular railway cars are attached to each other via cable, counterbalancing to minimize the energy required to move the ascending car. The need for uphill railways was strong in the middle ages because the wealthiest people, who could afford to build a new technology, lived snugly and safely at the highest peak in the town.” w/ photos. LINK