Beppu Rakutenchi Cable Line

The nihongo|Beppu Rakutenchi Cable Line|別府ラクテンチケーブル線|Beppu Rakutenchi Kēburu-sen is Japanese funicular line in Beppu, Ōita. The line opened in 1929 as a gateway to Beppu Wonder Rakutenchi amusement park on Mount Tateishi. Although the line is legally considered as a public transit, not an attraction ride, riders have to pay the amusement park admission to ride the funicular line. Local residents in Otobaru, the settlement on the mountain, are allowed to ride the line without the admission. The line is unique in the country as it is operated by nihongo|Okamoto MFG|岡本製作所|Okamoto Seisakujo, an amusement ride maker.

Basic data

*Distance: 0.3 km / 0.2 mi.
*System: Single track with two cars
*Gauge: 1,067 mm / 3 ft. 6 in.
*Stations: 2
*Vertical interval: 122 m / 400 ft.
*Maximum gradient: 558 ‰

Change of operator

In July 2008, Okamoto announced that it would close the park as of the end of August 2008 if it cannot find a successor. One of the reasons of the setback was that it failed to invite a Chinese circus team with two pandas because of the 2008 Sichuan earthquake. [Nishinippon Shimbun (July 8, 2008) " [http://www.nishinippon.co.jp/nnp/item/33325 ラクテンチ閉園も　別府市　運営会社が撤退表明　８月末] "] In August, Okamoto fourtunately found a successor of the park, Kyūshū Kankō Hōmu, a real estate company in Ōita. Kyūshū Kankō Hōmu is expected to succeed the operation of the park in September 2008. [Nishinippon Shimbun (August 18, 2008) " [http://www.nishinippon.co.jp/nnp/item/41860 ラクテンチ存続へ　別府　九州観光ホームが買収] "]

ee also

*List of funicular railways
*List of railway lines in Japan
*List of railway companies in Japan

References

External links

*en icon ja icon [http://www.okamotos.co.jp/ Okamoto MFG official website]
*ja icon [http://www.wonder-rakutenchi.jp/ Beppu Wonder Rakutenchi official website]