Locarno–Madonna del Sasso funicular

The Locarno–Madonna del Sasso funicular, or Funicolare Locarno–Madonna del Sasso (FLMS) is a funicular railway near the city of Locarno in the Swiss canton of Ticino. The line links a lower station in the city center with the pilgrimage site of the Sanctuary of the Madonna del Sasso and the municipality of Orselina. It forms part of the route to the summit of nearby Cimetta mountain.[1][2]

Locarno–Madonna del Sasso funicular
Car below the top station at Orselina
Overview
Other name(s)Funicolare Locarno–Madonna del Sasso
Statusin operation
OwnerSocietà della Funicolare Locarno-Madonna del Sasso SA (FLMS)
LocaleTicino, Switzerland
Coordinates46.1738°N 8.7959°E / 46.1738; 8.7959
Termini
Stations4+1 (including "Orselina Madonna del Sasso", "Locarno-Muralto Belvedere", "Grand-Hôtel")
Service
TypeFunicular
Rolling stock2 for 70 passengers each
History
Opened1 March 1906 (1906-03-01)
Technical
Track length811 metres (2,661 ft)
Number of tracks1 with passing loop
Track gauge1,000 mm (3 ft 3+3⁄8 in)
Electrificationfrom opening
Highest elevation372 m (1,220 ft)
Maximum incline30%
Share of the Soc. Funicolare Locarno–Madonna del Sasso, issued 30. June 1904

A concession to build the line was first granted in 1897 and renewed in 1900. Construction began in 1904, and the line was completed in 1906. The original wooden bodies of the cars were replaced with the current metal bodies in 1958.[1]

Besides the terminal stations at Locarno and Orselina, the line serves three intermediate stations at Grand Hôtel, Belvedere, and the Sanctuary, although the Grand Hôtel station is not currently served, as the hotel is closed. At Orselina there is a connection with the cable car to Cardada, which in turn connects with a chairlift to the summit of Cimetta.[2][3]

From April to October, the line runs every 15 minutes throughout the day. For the rest of the year, and during summer evenings, service is every 30 minutes.[4]

The funicular has the following parameters:[1]

Feature Value
Number of stops 4 (plus one closed)
Configuration Single track with passing loop
Track length 811 metres (2,661 ft)
Rise 173 metres (568 ft)
Maximum gradient 30%
Track gauge 1,000 mm (3 ft 3+3⁄8 in) metre gauge
Number of cars 2
Capacity 70 passengers per car

The funicular is owned by Società della Funicolare Locarno-Madonna del Sasso SA (FLMS).

References
  1. "61.026 Locarno - Madonna del Sasso, Locarno, Standseilbahn", Schweizer Seilbahninventar = Inventaire suisse des installations à câbles = Inventario svizzero degli impianti a fune (in German, French, and Italian), Federal Office of Culture, 2011, retrieved 7 April 2014
  2. "Locarno Orselina Madonna del Sasso". standseilbahnen.ch (in German). Markus Seitz. Retrieved 7 April 2014.
  3. "Cardada Map". Cardada Impianti Turistici SA. Archived from the original on 1 September 2013. Retrieved 8 April 2014.
  4. "Orario funicolare Locarno" (PDF). Ente Turistico Lago Maggiore. Archived from the original (PDF) on 8 April 2014. Retrieved 8 April 2014.
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