Carmelit facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Carmelit כרמלית |
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The new Carmelit - Train No 1.
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| Overview | |
| Status | In service |
| Owner | Haifa Municipality |
| Locale | Haifa |
| Termini | Carmel Center Downtown |
| Stations | 6 |
| Website | www.carmelithaifa.co.il |
| Service | |
| Type | Funicular Subway |
| Services | 1 |
| Operator(s) | The Carmelit Haifa Company Ltd. |
| Rolling stock | 4 Von Roll (now Doppelmayr) funicular cars 2 per train |
| Ridership | 732,664 (2012) |
| History | |
| Opened | 1959 |
| Technical | |
| Line length | 1.8 km (1.1 mi) |
| Number of tracks | 1 |
| Character | 1 |
| Track gauge | 1,980 mm (6 ft 6 in) |
| Operating speed | 28 km/h (17 mph) |
| Highest elevation | 268 m (879 ft) above sea level |
The Carmelit (Hebrew: כַּרְמְלִית) is a unique subway system in Haifa, Israel. It's actually the first and only underground funicular railway in the country! A funicular is a type of railway that uses a cable to pull cars up and down a steep slope. The Carmelit helps people travel easily between the city's port area and the top of Mount Carmel.
This special train system opened in 1959 after three years of construction. It was closed for a while, from 1986 to 1992, for important updates and repairs. The Carmelit is named after Mount Carmel, the mountain it travels through.
Contents
What is the Carmelit?
The Carmelit is a type of rapid transit system, which means it's a fast way to move many people around a city. It's special because it's a funicular, designed to climb hills. The system has only one line, but it connects six different stations.
How it Works
The Carmelit uses two trains that are connected by a strong cable. As one train goes down the hill, its weight helps pull the other train up. This makes it very energy-efficient! The trains run on a single track, but there's a special section in the middle where the track splits into two, allowing the trains to pass each other.
Stations and Route
The Carmelit has six stations along its route. It starts at Downtown near the port and goes all the way up to Carmel Center on Mount Carmel. The entire line is about 1.8 kilometers (1.1 miles) long. The trains can travel at a speed of about 28 kilometers per hour (17 miles per hour).
- Downtown (Paris Square)
- Solel Boneh (Hadar-City Hall)
- HaNevi'im (Masada)
- Eliyahu HaNavi (Sokolov)
- Bnei Zion (Central Carmel)
- Carmel Center (Gan HaEm)
History of the Carmelit
The idea for the Carmelit came about because Haifa is built on a steep hill. People needed an easy way to get from the lower parts of the city to the higher areas. Building an underground funicular was a clever solution.
Opening and Renovations
The Carmelit first opened its doors in 1959. It quickly became an important part of Haifa's public transport. However, after many years of use, it needed major updates. This is why it closed in 1986 for a big renovation project. It reopened in 1992 with new trains and improved systems.
Recent Updates
In 2017, the Carmelit faced some damage from a fire. After repairs and more upgrades, it reopened in 2018 with brand new, modern trains. Today, it continues to serve the people of Haifa, making daily travel easier for thousands. The system is owned by the Haifa Municipality and operated by The Carmelit Haifa Company Ltd.
See also
In Spanish: Carmelit para niños
Images for kids
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The new Carmelit - Train No 1.
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Inside the Carmelit car with new seats.
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The Carmelit train arriving at a station.
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A view of the Carmelit track.
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Carmelit opening day in 1959.
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The Carmelit train before the fire in 2017.
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Carmelit route map.
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A car on the Carmelit subway.
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A mural in the Downtown entrance.
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A ticket machine at Carmel Center.
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An old Carmelit car stored at Haifa East railway station.
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Hadar-City Hall station before 2018.
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Passengers at Gan Ha'em station in 1962.
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A sample of a Carmelit ticket.
