Reisszug

The Reiszug is a private funicular railway providing goods access to the Hohensalzburg Castle at Salzburg in Austria. It is notable for its extreme age, as it is believed to date back to either 1495 or 1504.

History

The line was first documented in 1515 by Cardinal Matthäus Lang, who would later become Archbishop of Salzburg. These dates make it the oldest known funicular in the world, and possibly the oldest existing railway.

The Reiszug still traces its original route through the castle's fortifications. It starts from the grounds of the Nonnberg Abbey, below the eastern walls of the castle. It then rises up at a gradient of 65% to the central courtyard of the fortress, on its way passing through five concentric defensive walls. At the point where the line passes through each wall is a gateway, each of which can be closed by a sturdy wooden door. The presence and obvious age of the gateways serves to confirm Cardinal Lang's description of the line.

The line may have originally used sled-style runners, although wooden rails and wheels were soon adopted. Haulage was by a hemp haulage rope. Until 1910 the line was operated by human or animal power. Over the years the line has been modified and rebuilt several times, most recently between 1988 and 1990. Today it uses steel rails and a steel cable. Traction is provided by an electric motor, and a closed circuit television system is used to monitor its operation.

Technical parameters

In its current incarnation, the line has the following technical parameters:

  • Length: 190 metres (620 ft)
  • Height: 80 metres (260 ft)
  • Maximum Steepness: 67%
  • Stations: 2 ("Salzburg Dom" and "Salzburg Festung")
  • Cars: 2
  • Capacity: 3 passengers/2,500 kilograms (5,500 lb)
  • Configuration: Single track
  • Gauge: 1.3 metres (4 ft 3 in)
  • Maximum speed: 0.5 metres per second (1.6 ft/s)
  • Journey time: 5 minutes 45 seconds
  • Traction: Electricity

The Reiszug should not be confused with the Festungsbahn, a funicular that provides public access to the Hohensalzburg Castle, and which dates from 1892.

References

External links

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Nonnberggasse 10, 5020 Salzburg, Austria Get directions

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