Standseilbahn Stuttgart (Seilbahn) Funicular Railway from Südheimer Platz to Waldfriedhof
The Standseilbahn Stuttgart or Seilbahn or Stuttgart Cable Car is a funicular railway from Südheimer Platz to Waldfriedhof which opened in 30 October 1929. While it is a tourist attraction, the Standseilbahn Stuttgart is part of the Verkehrs- und Tarifverbund Stuttgart or Stuttgart Transport and Tariff Association, and regular public transport tickets are accepted on the Standseilbahn Stuttgart. The Standseilbahn Stuttgart connects Südheimer Platz station on the Stadtbahn with the Stuttgart Degerloch forest cemetery on the hill.
Südheimer Platz Stadtbahn station
For ease of transfer, the Südheimer Platz Stadtbahn station is named Südheimer Platz (Seilbahn).
The 2 stations are not located beside each other, and a short walk on the road is necessary. Walk west from Südheimer Platz Stadtbahn station to Südheimer Platz Standseilbahn Stuttgart station.
Südheimer Platz Standseilbahn Stuttgart station
The small Südheimer Platz Standseilbahn Stuttgart station is just ahead.
I had arrived just as a Standseilbahn Stuttgart train was arriving. Perfect.
Heading into Südheimer Platz Standseilbahn Stuttgart station. The doors operate on a one-way direction, so take the door with a pull handle on it.
There is an information panel on the Standseilbahn Stuttgart inside Südheimer Platz station, along with some brochures for the Standseilbahn Stuttgart and Zahnradbahn Stuttgart.
The operating hours and frequency of the Standseilbahn Stuttgart are displayed still in a classic format.
If you have not already got a ticket, there is also a ticket machine inside Südheimer Platz station. Regular public transport fares apply on the Standseilbahn Stuttgart.
The Standseilbahn Stuttgart operates with original train cars since 1929 made of teak wood, manufactured by Maschinenfabrik Esslingen.
Both stations on the Standseilbahn Stuttgart utilises the Spanish Solution where passengers board from 1 platform and alight from the other.
Boarding the Standseilbahn Stuttgart.
The very classic interior of the Standseilbahn Stuttgart.
Doors are manually individually operated with a latch.
Seats on board the Standseilbahn Stuttgart are in a 1+2 configuration in facing bays.
Heating is provided under selected seats.
The train was empty, so I headed to the front for the best view.
The control cab at the upper end of the train.
The controls on board the Standseilbahn Stuttgart and systems on the line have been modernised to new European Union safety guidelines for cable cars in 2014 after the Kaprun disaster.
Departing from Südheimer Platz.
There is a staff on board to man the funicular train while in motion.
Approaching the abt passing loop in the middle of the line.
My Standseilbahn Stuttgart train 2 takes the right side of the abt passing loop when facing up.
Passing by train 1 on the abt passing loop.
Heading back on the single track.
The builder plate of Maschinenfabrik Esslingen along with a capacity plate.
Approaching Waldfriedhof station.
Waldfriedhof Standseilbahn Stuttgart station
The drive mechanism is at the Waldfriedhof upper station.
Stopping at the end of the line. The Standseilbahn Stuttgart journey from Südheimer Platz to Waldfriedhof took 3 minutes.
Disembarking from the Standseilbahn Stuttgart. As I was the only passenger up front, only 1 door was opened by the controller.
Looking back at the Standseilbahn Stuttgart train.
Heading out to the exit.
At the waiting hall of Waldfriedhof station, the drive spool of the Standseilbahn Stuttgart can be seen through the glass floor, illuminated with a blue light.
There are some souvenir postcards on sale, but there was no staff around.
There is a ticket machine here up at Waldfriedhof station as well.
The operating hours and frequency of the Standseilbahn Stuttgart are the same from the Waldfriedhof upper station.
Heading out of Waldfriedhof station through the one-way exit.
The drive mechanism display continues outside, though the snow is covering the glass.
A map of Waldfriedhof and surroundings is posted outside the Waldfriedhof station.
The façade of Waldfriedhof Standseilbahn Stuttgart station.
There is a chapel in front of the Stuttgart Degerloch forest cemetery (Waldfriedhof).
The cemetery is behind the fences.
Even though it was snowing, the roads around still made for a pleasant walk.
There’s not many attractions up at Waldfriedhof station aside from the, well, Waldfriedhof. From here, I headed back down to continue my Stuttgart train explorations.
Conclusion
The Standseilbahn Stuttgart is a classic funicular railway which charges no premium from a regular public transport ticket. Even if you are not a railway fan, you should be trying out the Standseilbahn Stuttgart as a tourist attraction to take a more-than-90-years-old train made of teak wood up a scenic hill.