What is a funicular railway?

In the news about the recent accident at a ski resort in Austria, the reporters called the cable car that carried the skiers up the mountain a "funicular railway." What is that and how does it work?

Funicular hi-res stock photography and images - Alamy

Funicular (Cable) Railway

Fløibanen funicular - visitBergen.com

Funicular for urban, touristic and industrial application - POMA

The funicular railway runs across the alpine meadows, Muottas Muragl, Samedan, Canton of Graubunden, Engadine, Switzerland

The funicular railway runs across the alpine meadows, Samedan, Switzerland Solid-Faced Canvas Print

World's steepest funicular railway starts chugging up Swiss

A History and Definition of Funicular - Marine Innovations

Fløibanen funicular - visitBergen.com

Harder funicular railway – ride with majestic views

Highlands funicular railway reopens after four years of setbacks

Tanfield Railway Blog: Funicular Railways

Funicular : Mobility

Principe-Granarolo Funicular Railway - Atlas Obscura

Funicular Railway Portfolio

Look out below! Europe's steepest funicular railway has a gradient