Standseilbahn Stuttgart (Seilbahn) Funicular Railway from Südheimer Platz to Waldfriedhof
The Standseilbahn Stuttgart or Seilbahn or Stuttgart Cable Car is a funicular railway from Waldfriedhof to Südheimer Platz which opened in 30 October 1929. The Standseilbahn Stuttgart connects the Stuttgart Degerloch forest cemetery on the hill down to Südheimer Platz station on the Stadtbahn.
Waldfriedhof Standseilbahn Stuttgart station
The façade of Waldfriedhof Standseilbahn Stuttgart station.
Heading in to Waldfriedhof Standseilbahn Stuttgart station through the one-way entrance door.
There is a ticket machine here at Waldfriedhof station in case you do not have tickets. 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 door to the boarding platform was opened as a train had arrived. Both stations on the Standseilbahn Stuttgart utilises the Spanish Solution where passengers board from 1 platform and alight from the other.
The Standseilbahn Stuttgart operates with original train cars since 1929 made of teak wood, manufactured by Maschinenfabrik Esslingen.
The logo of Stuttgarter Straßenbahnen (SSB) is casted outside the train.
Boarding the Standseilbahn Stuttgart through the open door.
The very classic interior of the Standseilbahn Stuttgart.
Seats on board the Standseilbahn Stuttgart are in a 1+2 configuration in facing bays.
The lowest compartment facing down also has a control panel.
Unfortunately, the lowest compartment on train 1 was cordoned off for social distancing and I could not get a good front view.
The controller goes to the lower compartment when the Standseilbahn Stuttgart is ready for departure.
Departing from Waldfriedhof.
It’s quite a surreal experience to be in a warm classic train with teak wood and heaters while it’s nowing outside.
Approaching the abt passing loop in the middle of the line.
Crossing with train 2 at the abt passing loop.
Heading back on the single track.
Approaching Südheimer Platz with a view of civilisation again.
Squeezing through neighbouring roads and buildings.
Südheimer Platz Standseilbahn Stuttgart station
The Standseilbahn Stuttgart journey from Waldfriedhof to Südheimer Platz took 3 minutes.
Disembarking from the Standseilbahn Stuttgart.
The counterbalance to tension the line is at the Südheimer Platz lower station.
The neutral spool on the opposite station from the driving station.
Looking back at the Standseilbahn Stuttgart train.
Heading out to the exit.
The façade of Südheimer Platz Standseilbahn Stuttgart station.
Heading out for a bit of trainspotting before I leave, the track is really close by to the road which is convenient.
Train 1 heading back up again after a 15 minute layover.
Train 2 now back down again.
Heading back to Südheimer Platz Stadtbahn station to continue my journey.
Südheimer Platz Stadtbahn station
For ease of transfer, the Südheimer Platz Stadtbahn station is named Südheimer Platz (Seilbahn).
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.