There are 3 different stations for Funiculars:

a. Flat Stations: No Gradient

These are named with "Flat" suffix in the asset title and they do NOT contain height difference in the name. These stations are either through or end stations with end is closed.

b. Inclined stations: Average gradient

First in Cities Skylines, these are inclined station that allow funiculars to stop on inclined stops or slopes. There are 2 sub types of these stations that are positive or negative 6m incline. These values represent the height difference either on the left or right part of the segment.

For example +6m station means that track segment starts at -6m (that is the basement) and ends with 6m of difference at ground floor.

Vice versa for -6m variant.

c. Base/Summit stations: Steep Gradient

These stations are terminus stations with extreme gradient, allowing steep inclines to be made.


There are 3 tracks types, which 2 of them are mandatory.

a. Station Tracks

Funicular station tracks that are being used in station assets. It is mandatory to subscribe station tracks, otherwise you will get errors.

b. Main Track

One of the two main tracks of funicular network. It works as usual train track, featuring track swithes on stations, allowing multiple lines and vehicles. High capacity, as multiple vehicles per lane can use it.

Requires flat end/terminus stations as trains have to switch tracks at the end of the line.

c. Bi-Directional Track

Created for short range, low capacity funiculars. Funiculars on this lane cannot switch tracks, thus removing the need of having terminus stations.

This enables users to create compact funiculars on short and steep/low incline areas with only 2 stations and single track.

Since track switching is gone, only 1 vehicle per lane operate on this track, thus maximum amount of operational funicular is 2 on this track, between end stations.


Making a funicular network is easy as making a train network in your city. Start with plopping the station of your choice. Once done, drag the Funicular Track between your stations, or your choice:

If you want to create extensive, multi stop funicular networks:

Terminus station 1 - inclined or flat through stations - Terminus station 2, main track.

High gradient long range network:

Base/Hilltop station - Hilltop/Base Station, main track or bi directional track.

Low or high gradient, short range network:

Inclined/Terminus Station 1 - Inclined/Terminus Station 2, bi-directional track.

You can use ground or elevated/bridge segment, where ever you want. If you wish to have straight path or constant inclines station-to-station; use elevated segment directly.


3. In-Game Limitations

Making funicular network also posed a challenge. While it was possible to overcome certain complexities, there are certain points which couldn't be bypassed, such as:

i. Leveling of compartments, vehicles:

It was not possible to level vehicles in inclines as they all time static. The visual solution for this problem was to make vehicls with an inclined state, then use them on given gradients.

ii. Tunneling

As of now, Main Tracks v2.5 and BiDirectional v3.0 doesnt have tunnel segment.

Game wanted to switch to tunnel mode on steep incline, which was not a preference, thus I removed tunnel segments from the network.

6. Thanks, Acknowledgments

Ronyx69 for his help regarding to slope and tunnel modifications and general development cycle.
Creators Discord for ideas and instant feedback
Swiss Federal Railways for allowing me to use Funicular Icons