Ikoma Cable Line

Ikoma Cable Line (Ikoma Cable)
 Y 

Motorable level crossing
at the passing loop of Hōzanji Line
Overview
Native name 生駒鋼索線 (生駒ケーブル)
Type Cable railway
System Kintetsu Railway
Locale Ikoma, Nara, Japan
Termini Toriimae
Ikomasanjo
Stations 5
Line number  Y 
Operation
Opened August 29, 1918 (1918-08-29)
Owner Kintetsu Railway
Operator(s) Kintetsu Railway
Character Cable railway
Technical
Line length 2 km (1.2 mi)
Number of tracks 4
Track gauge 1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in)
Electrification 200 V DC
Operating speed 10.8 km/h (6.7 mph)
Ikoma Cable Line
Legend
Ikoma
Keihanna Line
Nara Line
Ikoma Line
0.0 Toriimae
Toriimae Crossing 1
Toriimae Crossing 2
Toriimae Crossing 3
Hōzanji Line
0.9 Hōzanji
Sanjō Line
Hozanji Crossing
1.2 Umeyashiki
1.6 Kasumigaoka
Kasumigaoka Crossing
2.0 Ikoma-Sanjō

The Ikoma Cable Line (生駒鋼索線 Ikoma kōsaku sen), referred to as Ikoma Cable (生駒ケーブル Ikoma kēburu), is a cable railway line owned and operated by the Kintetsu Railway, a Japanese major private railway. The line connects Toriimae to Ikomasanjo, all of which are within Ikoma, Nara, Japan.

Basic data

Overview

The Ikoma Cable Line is actually made up of two different lines; Hōzanji Line (宝山寺線 Hōzanji-sen) between Toriimae and Hōzanji, Sanjō Line (山上線 Sanjō-sen) between Hōzanji and Ikoma-Sanjō. The Hōzanji Line is the oldest commercially operated funicular in Japan, opened in 1918. It runs to Hōzan-ji, a Shingon Buddhist temple. Sanjō Line climbs up Mount Ikoma, reaching Ikoma Sanjo Amusement Park.

The Hōzanji Line is the only double-track funicular in the country. However, the two tracks are treated as different lines, called Hōzanji Line 1 (宝山寺1号線 Hōzanji Ichi-gō-sen) and Hōzanji Line 2 (宝山寺2号線 Hōzanji Ni-gō-sen). Normally, only Hōzanji Line 1 and Sanjō Line are used. Hōzanji Line 2 is operated in holiday seasons, and for safety inspections of the Line 1. Since the 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.

Rolling stocks

Hōzanji Line 1 used classical 1928 cars until 2000, when they were replaced by the current fancy-decorated cars. Since then, bulldog-faced "Bull" and calico 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.

See also

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Kintetsu Ikoma Cable Line.

Coordinates: 34°41′12.4″N 135°41′23.9″E / 34.686778°N 135.689972°E / 34.686778; 135.689972

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