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Lausanne - Signal

(photo Michel Azéma May 2000)

Description

The "Compagnie du chemin de fer Lausanne-Signal" was created in 1896 to build a funicular to link the Place du Vallon to the Signal de Sauvabelin where there was a new created lake for skating. The funicular first opened in 1899 and definitively closed in 1948. Today at the Place du Vallon the wooden bottom station is still visible (see the photo) and beside it, the small wooden chalet also remains intact and it is still a small café as in 1899 !

Map	Lausanne - Signal in 1901 Click to enlarge 177 Kb >> Interactive satellite photo <<

Technical Datas

Start 1899 End  1948 Status Type of funicular Type of tracks Type of energy Bottom station Place du Vallon (531 m) Top station Signal (637 m) Length 468 m Difference of levels 106 m Maximum Gradient 28 % Gauge 1 m Speed 4,5 m/s