The state of emergency caused by the new corona virus has been lifted. I tasted a sense of freedom, and visited Hakone Cable Car line for the first time in nine years. What's new with this famous funicular railway?
I found the 5th generation new cable cars named set 01 and 02 on the track. They were launched in March last year to replace the 4th generation ones namely set HT1 and HT2. Just like the 4th generation model, the new model is also a 2-car train to transport flocking sightseers. Thanks to the mass transit vehicles, one train can accommodate 250 passengers. These new cars were built by Keio Juki and Von Roll Holding AG in Switzerland. The motor output for the operation is 230 kW. What's the major difference between the 4th generation retired model and the 5th generation new one? The answer is the layout of passenger seats. The retired model has cross seats; meanwhile, the new model has long seats. It's probably to reduce in-vehicle overcrowding.
For your information, the Hakone Cable Car line was opened in 1921, so, this is the 100th anniversary. Connecting Gora and Sounzan, the route length is 1,273 meters. The track gauge size is 983 mm. The height difference is 209 meters and the maximum inclination is 18.3 degrees. It takes 10 minutes from Gora to Sounzan station. One of the features of this funicular is 4 intermediate stations, which are not only for sightseers but also for local residents.
