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History of the Zagreb funicular
Zagreb funicular, cable railway, Drahtseilnahn, double import, stuck or an old lady is the oldest public transport system in Zagreb. It is one year older than a horse-drawn tram. It was built by a contractor from Osijek, D.W. Klein. An official beginning of construction work was 12th of December 1888, when the city fathers and constructor Klein signed a construction contract which determined the traffic location. In one of the most important clauses, article 17, Klein made a commitment “to give the rights over funicular to the city district after 40 years of usage”.
The funicular was opened on the 8th of October 1890, providing a fast connection between Donji grad (Lower town) and an old Gornji grad (Upper town) which was in that time the centre of political, administrative and spiritual life. Both cabins had the first and second class sections and the ride in one direction cost 3 coins in the first class section, and 2 coins in the second class section. Constructor Klein kept the rights over funicular for 2 years. He could not do it anymore because funicular broke down quite often. This is why it was called ‘stuck’.
Ganz et co. major shareholder
When the funicular stopped again in April 1892 due to engine troubles and construction faults, and it was out of work for a couple of days, it became clear that it should be thoroughly restored. The city government insisted on its reconstruction. Since Klein had no money, Ganz et co. firm took over the reconstruction by debiting Klein’s firm. The board and leadership of a new firm were taken by the Hrvatska sveopća kreditna banka (Croatian General and Credit Bank) from Zagreb. Funicular’s reconstruction lasted 9 months since the whole engine was removed, tracks as well as horizontal and vertical sleepers were dismantled.
Although it emitted smoke from the chimney and roared when started, occasionally stuck, and brought losses to its owners, it somehow kept on going till the day when it became property of the city. At the last annual Joint-stock Double Funicular Assembly shareholders were given an announcement: “We are honored to inform You that, based on the contract signed with the Zagreb City Council on the 12th of December 1888, we gave the funicular with all its equipment and inventory, actually all the social property, with no compensation in hands of the city council. A joint stock is completely lost and thereby stockholders make no money with their shares.” Thereby society is liquidated.
ZET takes over the funicular in 1929
The first and, in the same time, last decision about the funicular’s future was made on the 14th of March 1929. That day an administrative management was given in hands of the City Savings, and transport, technicalities and financial management was taken over by ZET (which was also under the guidance of the City Savings).
The restoration of a 40 year-old vehicle began soon afterwards. ZET’s construction workers first replaced the old tracks. They supported it on iron props, instead of wood ones, put it in an existing wall base and poured concrete. By removing cabin partitions, cabins were more spacious with more lights and air. They were more comfortable for the passengers who could exit wagons easier by using safety stairs in case it stops.
After the big malfunction, a steam system was changed for an electrical one in March 1934. There were no massive malfunctions, it ran smoothly and quietly and provided more comfortable ride.
The funicular stopped in 1969
In the 60s, 55.000 people a year took the ride and therefore the funicular deserved to take a break and to be restored once again. With the resolution of the Zagreb City Government’s Construction Inspectorate within the Department for Public Utilities, Construction and Traffic the funicular stopped on the 21st of December 1969, and that same day ZET put a small bus in traffic in order to keep the traffic to the Upper Town going. Due to unsolved financial issues, the funicular was off longer than it was expected. Since the funicular and both station buildings were old, the decision was made-nothing should be partially repaired or replaced but a new funicular should be made! This project needed money, money ZET did not have. The City and a bank at the time were also not willing to invest the money in funicular’s reconstruction. Not until all the financial problems had been solved (ZET provided most of the financial resources, the City made a contribution and the rest of the money was provided by taking low-interest credits), did the reconstruction work start. This was in October 1973.
Old station buildings, upper and lower, were torn down and rebuilt - the new ones looked exactly as the old ones. Thereby an original architectural work of this cultural monument was preserved. On the upper station, instead of two openings, one wider was built so that an engine-man could have a better insight. Safety stairs (between both gauges) were put directly in the station. Old engine gears with exchangeable wooden gear teeth, the rope and other parts were given to the Technical Museum. The only thing that was left from an old funicular was a viaduct. Made of bricks by the end of the 19th century, it turned out to be strong enough to sustain. But, a lower track echelon made of reinforced concrete had to be restored. A completely new (automatic) drive, safety and protective equipment was installed and on top of all, new, fashionable cabins were built.
Reconstructed funicular starts off in 1974
After the ride with a test load (3 tons of sand bags put in the cabins), the reconstructed and dressed up funicular was formally put in service on the 26th of July 1974, after four and a half years of standstill- the longest period in its history. Passengers instantly noticed: the ride was more comfortable, they did not feel vibrations or sudden speed shifts.
In December 2004 a hydraulic lift platform was installed and put in service in order to enable easier approach for disabled people. In the same time, an access ramp was built so that our citizens with special needs can enter funicular simple and faster.
Today’s funicular is a smooth-running and well-serviced transport system with an automatic control system, a multiple safety system and a daily based device check. Its employees welcome you with greetings when you arrive at the station. There are 10 of them who work in two shifts. They present the effort of all the workers who used to work there, trying to make people of Zagreb and their guests happy with the service.
Several information from the funicular’s ‘ID’.
Track length: 66m
Height difference: 30.5m
Inclination: 52%
Diameter of the cable: 22mm
Gauge: 1.2m
Engine output power: 37KW
Speed: 1.5m /s
Cabin capacity: 28 adult passengers
