Fogaskeréksorok

Fogaskeréksorok, also known as "cogwheel railways" or "rack railways," are a type of railway system designed to navigate steep gradients. These railways are equipped with a rack, or toothed rail, that runs between the running rails, providing additional traction and allowing trains to ascend and descend steep inclines that would be impossible for conventional adhesion railways. The concept was first introduced in the 19th century and has been used in various parts of the world, particularly in mountainous regions.

The Fogaskeréksorok system is particularly notable in Hungary, where it is used on the Budapesti Fogaskerekű Vasút, a funicular railway in Budapest. This railway, often referred to as the "Buda Castle Hill Funicular," connects the Buda Castle with Clark Ádám Square below. The system was designed by the Hungarian engineer Szilárd Zsigmond Wesselényi and has been in operation since 1870, making it one of the oldest cogwheel railways in the world.

The operation of a Fogaskeréksorok system involves a pinion gear mounted on the locomotive or railcar, which engages with the rack rail. This mechanical interaction allows the train to maintain traction and control, even on steep gradients. The system is particularly useful in areas where space is limited, and conventional adhesion railways would require extensive earthworks or tunneling.

Fogaskeréksorok systems have been used in various applications, including passenger transport, freight transport, and even in some tourist railways. They are particularly common in mountainous regions, where their ability to navigate steep gradients makes them an essential mode of transport. Despite the advent of modern technologies, Fogaskeréksorok systems continue to be an important and reliable means of transportation in challenging terrains.