Monte Serrat in Santos, Sao Paulo, Brazil | Funicular

This electric Funicular, Monte Serrat, Santos, Brazil, links Santos downtown at sea level with the top of Monte Serrat ("Serrat Hill") 157m above. This Funicular, with 242 meters of length, was planned in 1910. However, due to the difficulties imposed by World War I, its construction only began in 1923. It was inaugurated in 1927; seven years later a casino was built in the top of this hill. In 1946 the Brazilian government forbode gambling and the casino was closed. However, the Funicular remained alive and kicking even after the closure of the casino; its building lodges the machines of the Funicular, a snack bar, a convention center, a belvedere and radio and TV antennas. The view from the belvedere is spectacular, particularly on clear days where you can see almost all of Santos harbour, historical downtown, the beaches, Santo Amaro island, Bertioga channel, the Serra do Mar and so on.

The Monte Serrat  Funicular was planned in Germany; it is powered by a 100 HP AEG electrical motor, with a 64 HP Marelli emergency motor. It has two 4.0 meter flywheels, the first one for adherence and the second for traction; this one weights 12,000 kg. This system has two brake systems: manual and automatic. The cars are pulled by a 1 1/2 inch diameter steel cable which can deal with loads up to 90 tons. The two cars are synchronised in operation and each one can carry 45 passengers and has a total weight of 6 tons. Each trip is on the Monte Serrat is done in four minutes.