Ikoma Cable Line

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.

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)
TypeCable railway
SystemKintetsu Railway
LocaleIkoma, Nara, Japan
TerminiToriimae
Ikomasanjo
Stations5
Line number Y 
Operation
OpenedAugust 29, 1918 (1918-08-29)
OwnerKintetsu Railway
Operator(s)Kintetsu Railway
CharacterCable railway
Technical
Line length2 km (1.2 mi)
Number of tracks4
Track gauge1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in)
Electrification200 V DC
Operating speed10.8 km/h (6.7 mph)
Ikoma Cable 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

Basic data
  • Lines and distances:
    • Hōzanji Line: Toriimae - Hōzanji, 0.9 km (0.6 mi)
    • Sanjō Line: Hōzanji - Ikoma-Sanjō, 1.1 km (0.7 mi)
  • Gauge: 1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in)
  • Stations: 5
  • Double track line: Toriimae — Hōzanji
  • Vertical interval:
    • Hōzanji Line: 146 m (479 ft)
    • Sanjō Line: 322 m (1,056 ft)

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, nor 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".

  • "Bull" of Hōzanji Line 1
  • "Mike" of Hōzanji Line 1
  • "Do-Re-Mi" of Sanjō Line
  • "Sweet" of Sanjō Line

Stations

All stations are in Ikoma, Nara Prefecture. For distances and connections, see the route diagram.

See also

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