a railway up the side of a mountain, consisting of a counterbalanced car sat either end of a cable passing round a driving wheel at the summit
adjective
2.
relating to or operated by a rope, cable, etc
3.
of or relating to a funicle
funicular railway in American English
noun
a short, very steep railway having two parallel sets of tracks, upon each of which runs a car or train raised or lowered by means of a cable that simultaneously lowers or raises the other caror train in such a way that the two are approximately counterbalanced
Word origin
[1885–90]This word is first recorded in the period 1885–90. Other words that entered Englishat around the same time include: lineup, scrum, twofer, upsweep, zoom
Examples of 'funicular railway' in a sentence
funicular railway
Travel down the funicular railway, and you'll join sunbathers on a rocky beach.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
Our escorted tour includes excursions by lake-steamer and funicular railway.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
Guests reached it by its own funicular railway.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
The iconic red 'cable car' (it's actually a funicular railway) departs nearby; the views back over the city and across the straits are superb.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
Other summer activities include taking the town's cable car or funicular railway to take in stunning views.
The Sun (2011)
On one side, there's the bulky granite cathedral with a funicular railway racing up the hill.
The Sun (2016)
But the city has lots of inexpensive public transport options including bus, funicular railway, tram or train.
The Sun (2009)
The 15-minute hike up from the old town will stretch your calf muscles, but there's a funicular railway.