Talk:Cable railway

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Melbourne used to have at least one cable tramway, and I think there are some preserved elsewhere in the world... San Francisco perhaps? Andrewa 17:32, 6 October 2005 (UTC)

Aha! Yes, see Cable car (railway), San Francisco cable car system. Andrewa 17:38, 6 October 2005 (UTC)

[edit] Merge proposal

I think that a cable railway is distinct from a funicular, the former being a general means of transport thorugh a city, the latter being to overcome specific grades and usually at a unifiorm inclination. (Should not be merged) - Leonard G. 22:47, 25 June 2006 (UTC)

I agree with Leonard G. All funiculars are cable railways, but not all cable railways are funiculars. The major difference is that a funicular is a self-contained railway, that is the inclined portion of a funicular is the entire railways. Many non-funicular cable railways are connected to a regular non-inclined line at top and bottom. Also all funiculars are (I think) passenger carrying, while many cable railways are freight only. Keep them as separate articles with cross-links as appropriate. Gwernol 01:25, 26 June 2006 (UTC)

Disagree with proposal. I also regard funiculars and cable railways as different for the reasons stated by others. There is probably a good case for the two articles to be checked and edited to make this clear and to remove any parts that do not clearly conform to the distinct definitions, that is all. Geof Sheppard 07:09, 26 June 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Article too specific

Somewhat in line with the previous comments, I think that the content of the article is far too specific for the general nature of the title.

To my mind, a cable railway is a railway where the vehicles are propelled by cable. It has nothing to do with gradient; whilst many cable railways do indeed conquer steep gradients, others are completely horizontal. We already have two articles on different specialised forms of cable railways, cable cars and funiculars. I think this article should be rewritten to cover the general case. -- Chris j wood 19:09, 8 December 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Areas for expansion

Would it be worth expanding as follows:

Setting the context, early railways/tramroads used in extractive industries (Coal, Slate) and general flow of loaded traffic was downhill to rivers, ports or canals with empty wagons returning uphill. Until the full or development of the steam locomotive the use of inclined planes with gravity balances allowed railway lines to avoid heavy engineering and access otherwise inaccessible areas.

Perhaps some reference to pioneering railways in North East England and the use of stationary engines for both haulage on the incline and level. Ie a freight cable railway going beyond the inclines.

To expand types to distinguish between Table inclines (such as that pictured at Dinorwic)where the wagon rested on a table (these being closer to Funicular's and generally for steeper inclines) and ordinary inclines where the wagon was attached directly. Recognising that table inclines might be any of gravity/water balance or powered.

Mention or link to the "Brake" or "Drumhouse" which is often one of the striking surviving features. Horizontal and vertical drums.

That said we are drifting away from the title. That is more a matter of re-titling as this is an important area.Crantock 13:42, 11 January 2007 (UTC)