Old Quebec Funicular
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{{short description|Canadian railway}}
{{Infobox rail line
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| name = Old Quebec Funicular
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| caption = View from the funicular, looking down on Rue Sous-le-Fort (straight ahead) and Rue du Petit-Champlain to the right
| type = Funicular
| system =
| status = In use
| locale = Quebec City, Quebec
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| open = {{Start date|1879}}
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| tracks = Double track
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The Old Quebec Funicular ({{langx|fr|Funiculaire du Vieux-Québec}}, {{IPA|fr|fynikylɛʁ dy vjø kebɛk|pron}}) is an inclined elevator, formerly a funicular railway, in the Old Quebec neighbourhood of Quebec City, Quebec, Canada. It links the Haute-Ville (Upper Town) at Dufferin Terrace to the Basse-Ville (Lower Town) at Rue du Petit-Champlain. The Basse-Ville includes such sites as the colonial-era Notre Dame des Victoires church, the historic Petit Champlain district, the port, and the Musée de la civilisation (Museum of Civilization). Climbing at a 45-degree angle, the railway covers a total distance of {{convert|64|m|ft}}.{{Cite web|url = http://quebeccity101.com/funicular/|title = Funicular - Quebec City 101|website = Quebec City 101| date=21 March 2015 |language = en-US|access-date =May 18, 2016}}
History
The funicular opened on November 17, 1879 as a water balance railway. The line was converted to electrical operation in 1907. On July 2, 1945, a major fire destroyed the structure, necessitating a rebuild that was completed in 1946. Since then, major renovations have taken place in 1978 and 1998. In 2004, it celebrated 125 years of operating.{{cite web | title = History | publisher = Funiculaire du Vieux-Québec inc. | url = http://www.funiculaire-quebec.com/en/historique.htm | accessdate = March 23, 2007 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160516145605/http://www.funiculaire-quebec.com/en/historique.htm | archive-date = May 16, 2016 | url-status = dead }}
In October 1996, Briton Helen Tombs was killed when the cable snapped and the emergency brake failed to stop the cabin before it crashed into the lower station.{{cite web | title = Passenger Dies in Cable Car Plunge | publisher = Associated Press | url = https://apnews.com/d5ca7cbdbbb85692eb5a052b73f01b50 | accessdate = May 8, 2012}}{{cite news | title = Briton killed as funicular car crashes | work = The Independent | url = https://www.independent.co.uk/news/briton-killed-as-funicular-car-crashes-1358351.html | accessdate = May 8, 2012 | location=London | first=Louise | last=Jury | date=October 14, 1996}} As a result of this fatal crash, the funicular was closed and entirely revamped with modern technology. It reopened in 1998, technically as an inclined elevator, since both cabins are independent.{{cite web | title = Transit History of Quebec | publisher = David A. Wyatt | url = http://home.cc.umanitoba.ca/~wyatt/alltime/quebec-qc.html | accessdate = May 8, 2012}}{{cite web|title = Le Funiculaire du Vieux-Québec fête son 130e anniversaire : 1879-2009 |work=Marketwire |language=fr | url = http://www.marketwired.com/press-release/le-funiculaire-du-vieux-quebec-fete-son-130e-anniversaire-1879-2009-1006154.htm }}
The funicular has the following technical parameters:{{cite web | url = http://www.funiculars.net/line.php?id=151 | title = Funiculaire du Vieux-Quebec | publisher = Funiculars.net | accessdate = March 23, 2007}}
- Length: {{convert|64|m}}
- Height: {{convert|59|m}}
- Cars: 2
- Configuration: Double track
- Traction: Electricity
See also
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- [https://www.funiculaire.ca/copie-de-accueil The Old Quebec Funicular] (in English)
{{Authority control}}
Category:Funicular railways in Canada
Category:Transport in Quebec City
Category:Tourist attractions in Quebec City
Category:Former water-powered funicular railways converted to electricity