Vallvidrera Funicular
The Vallvidrera Funicular is a funicular railway in the Barcelona district of Sarrià-Sant Gervasi, in Catalonia, Spain. It connects Peu del Funicular station on the Barcelona–Vallès Line with the residential neighborhood of Vallvidrera, in the Collserola mountain range.
Opened on, the funicular has played a key role in the development of Vallvidrera and is the main public transport access to this neighborhood. Although initially privately owned by Ferrocarril de Sarriá a Barcelona, it was transferred to the Catalan government together with the Barcelona–Vallès Line after FSB's economic collapse. Thus, since, the funicular has been operated by Ferrocarrils de la Generalitat de Catalunya. In 1998, it was entirely rebuilt and upgraded to an automated guideway transit system, including the introduction of new rolling stock.
The funicular is integrated as part of the Vallès Metro high-frequency commuter rail scheme. It runs at a basic interval of 6 minutes on weekdays, less frequently on weekends and public holidays, with a journey time of 2 minutes and 50 seconds. Besides, it is entirely within fare zone 1 of the Autoritat del Transport Metropolità fare-integrated public transport system for the Barcelona metropolitan area.
History
The line was opened in 1906. Its upper station was designed by the architects Bonaventura Conill i Montobbio and Arnald Calvet i Peyronill in the Catalan Modernist style.The line became part of the FGC network in 1981. It was rebuilt in 1998, with the introduction of new cars, platform screen doors and fully automated operation. The new cars were built by Gangloff of Bern.
Technical features
The funicular has the following technical parameters:List of stations
The following table lists the name of each station on the Vallvidrera Funicular in ascendent order, a photo of the current station, its elevation, its coordinates, remarkable notes and usage figures.| Station | Photo | Elevation | Coordinates | Notes | Usage |
| Vallvidrera Inferior | 192 m 630ft | Connects with Peu del Funicular station on the Barcelona–Vallès Line, offering a transfer to Vallès Metro commuter rail lines S1 and S2. | 348.9 | ||
| Carretera de les Aigües | 302 m 991ft | Serves the popular walking and cycling route known as Carretera de les Aigües. It is a request stop. | 20.9 | ||
| Vallvidrera Superior | 359 m 1,178ft | Serves the main residential area of the Barcelona neighborhood of Vallvidrera. | 390.5 |