Les Grottes du Pic du Jer Funicular ride in Lourdes

FUNICULAR OPERATION

The funicular, from the Latin "funiculus", meaning "small string", is an invention of the engineer Stephenson in 1825 who invented it to help steam locomotives to cross the slopes of the English hills.

A funicular is a mechanical lift equipped with vehicles running on sloping rails and whose traction is provided by a cable to overcome the slope of the terrain. The motor operating the cable is located in the upper station.

The drive is generally provided by an electric motor coupled to a reducer that sets the drive pulley in motion. The service brake (FS1) and the safety brake (FS2) are located closest to the drive pulley.

Most commonly, a funicular runs on a single railway track which has a doubled section in the middle of the route for vehicles to pass. This is the bypass, it operates without a moving point thanks to the particular arrangement of the vehicle axles.

These are equipped with grooved wheels which guide the cabins on the continuous rail on the outside of the siding, and flat wheels capable of crossing the centre of the switch on the rail on the inside of the siding.

This axle arrangement is reversed from one cabin to another, the crossing thus operates without human intervention, without risk of collision of the cabins or crossing of the cables. On the Pic du Jer the type of avoidance is N°3.

In the event of a break in the cable attachment, large mechanical jaws located on the chassis near the grooved wheels instantly grip the rails and thus stop the entire installation.

SCHOOLS:
A number of children is necessary to design a price proposal.
We have educational sheets. The price for the funicular ride is €4.50/child (under 17 years old) 1 accompanying person free for 8 or more children.

GROUPS:
Group price from 15 people, adults and children.

PRIVATE EVENTS:
Seminars, birthdays, work meetings, family meals, cocktails. We offer a catering package + funicular ride from €25/person. We have a room with 30 seats.