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The crazy uphill Carmelit subway of Haifa, Israel
The city of Haifa, Israel is built largely on the slope of Mount Carmel, so its geography calls for an unconventional underground solution. And thus the Carmelit was born. The Carmelit is one of the smallest subways in the world, and travels a single tunnel that's about 5,905 feet long. From its lowest point to its highest, there's a difference in elevation of almost 900 feet.
In recent years, the Carmelit is falling more and more out of use. Perhaps it only hits inconvenient locations in the city, or maybe it's all the stairs. Either way, I'd hate to be in a wheelchair and try to use the Carmelit.
Via DeputyDog
By IsoLine at 4:25 PM ON 01/26/08
Basically it's a funicular. Wow, old tech becomes new in once again.
By mazaluk at 8:49 AM ON 01/28/08
Nothing crazy about it at all. Quite a feat of engineering and produced with our one-time friend, France who provided the original cars.
If the author can find a better solution for travelling up and down Mount Carmel by underground railway, I would like to hear about it.
ps. because of its geography, the whole city of Haifa is unsuited for the mobility impaired - so go sue mother nature!
By Riaan de Beer at 12:20 PM ON 02/04/08
there's one almost like this... though i think slightly steeper in locarno, switzerland. now imagineif it was set on normal 90 degree tracks hehehe
By fghj at 2:34 PM ON 06/05/09
I think it's cool
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