Kintetsu Ikoma Cable Line

Kintetsu Ikoma Cable Line
Motorable level crossing at the passing loop of Hōzanji Line
Line length:	2 km (1.2 mi)
Track gauge:	1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in)
Legend Ikoma Keihanna Line Nara Line Ikoma Line 0.0 Toriimae Toriimae Crossing 1 Toriimae Crossing 2 Toriimae Crossing 3 Hōzanji Line 0.9 Hōzanji Sanjō Line Hozanji Crossing 1.2 Umeyashiki 1.6 Kasumigaoka Kasumigaoka Crossing 2.0 Ikoma-Sanjō

The Ikoma Cable (生駒ケーブル, Ikoma Kēburu) is a cable railway line of a Japanese major private railway Kintetsu, between Toriimae and Ikoma-Sanjō, all within Ikoma, Nara, Japan. The line is officially called Ikoma Cable Line (生駒鋼索線, Ikoma Kōsakusen).

Basic data

• Lines and distances:
  • Hōzanji Line: Toriimae - Hōzanji, 0.9 km (0.6 mi)
  • Sanjō Line: Hōzanji - Ikoma-Sanjō, 1.1 km (0.7 mi)
• Gauge: 1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in)
• Stations: 5
• Double track line: Toriimae — Hōzanji
  • Quadruple at the passing loop
• Vertical interval:
  • Hōzanji Line: 146 m (479 ft)
  • Sanjō Line: 322 m (1,056 ft)

Overview

The Ikoma Cable Line is actually made up of two different lines; Hōzanji Line (宝山寺線, Hōzanji-sen) between Toriimae and Hōzanji, Sanjō Line (山上線, Sanjō-sen) between Hōzanji and Ikoma-Sanjō. The Hōzanji Line is the oldest commercially operated funicular in Japan, opened in 1918. It runs to Hōzan-ji, a Shingon Buddhist temple. Sanjō Line climbs up Mount Ikoma, reaching Ikoma Sanjo Amusement Park.

The Hōzanji Line is the only double-track funicular in the country. However, the two tracks are treated as different lines, called Hōzanji Line 1 (宝山寺1号線, Hōzanji Ichi-gō-sen) and Hōzanji Line 2 (宝山寺2号線, Hōzanji Ni-gō-sen). Normally, only Hōzanji Line 1 and Sanjō Line are used. Hōzanji Line 2 is operated in holiday seasons, and for safety inspections of the Line 1. Since the Hōzanji Line runs along a fairly urbanized area, it also functions as a commuter line. However, the line does not accept PiTaPa, a smart card ticketing system, neither Surutto Kansai, a prepaid magnetic card ticketing system.

Cars

Hōzanji Line 1 used classical 1928 cars until 2000, when they were replaced by the current fancy-decorated cars. Since then, bulldog-faced "Bull" and calico cat-faced "Mike" serve the line, both officially being Type Ko 11. Sanjō Line uses organ-like "Do-Re-Mi", cake-decorated "Sweet", both officially Type Ko 15. Hōzanji Line 2 uses ordinary-shaped Type Ko 3 cars, nicknamed "Yume-Ikoma".

• 

  "Bull" of Hōzanji Line 1

• 

  "Mike" of Hōzanji Line 1

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  "Do-Re-Mi" of Sanjō Line

• 

  "Sweet" of Sanjō Line

Stations

All stations are in Ikoma, Nara Prefecture. For distances and connections, see the route diagram.

• Hōzanji Line 1 and 2
  • Toriimae (鳥居前)
  • Hōzanji (宝山寺)
• Sanjō Line (D: Direct trains stop, operated seasonally)
  • Hōzanji D
  • Umeyashiki (梅屋敷)
  • Kasumigaoka (霞ヶ丘)
  • Ikoma-Sanjō D (生駒山上)

See also

• Cable car
• Funicular railway
• List of funicular railways
• List of railway lines in Japan
• Mt. Ikoma