History

Early in 1995, the Cape Metropolitan Council, the "guardian" of the Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve, called for proposals from interested parties to upgrade the transport facility at Cape Point, as the existing Flying Dutchman 16 seater bus was no longer adequate for transporting the ever increasing number of visitors.

After extensive discussions it was decided that an electrically powered funicular railway, as proposed by Concor Holdings would be the most environmentally friendly mode of transportation. This decision to introduce a funicular was visionary, providing visitors with a novel, exciting means of transport to the top, whilst imaginatively marrying modern technology with a sensitive environment.

Not only is the Cape Point funicular unique in design and geometry, it is the first commercial funicular railway of its kind in Africa. Totally complementing the environment the funicular has been produced entirely from South African resources.

Two cars each with a capacity of 40 passengers run on the 585 m long track from the Cape Point parking area to the viewing platform just below the lighthouse. To prevent further encroachment of the environment the track had to follow the original road used by the Flying Dutchman bus.

This resulted in a track which curved both vertically and horizontally and was thus quite an engineering challenge to propel rope drawn cars along.

As the road was only wide enough to accommodate a single track, a passing loop was incorporated at the midway point.

Safety

It incorporates some twenty seven different safety features to ensure practical and safe operation at all times.

One of the Concor directors said, "This system has one facility to make it go and 27 to stop it".

The continuous monitoring and driving signals between the two cars, plant room and manager's office are conveyed by means of sophisticated radio telemetry.

So, basically it’s a fun and safe ride!

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