There are several funicular railways operating in England. Many of them were built in seaside resorts to facilitate access to beaches located much lower than the city center. The beach was usually accessed by a steep descent from a hill or cliff, and the funicular railway made getting around very easy. I have included only the most important funicular railways in England on the list.
Babbacombe Cliff Railway – a funicular railway in the town of Torquay. The 220 m long line was opened on 1 April 1926. The funicular was closed between 1941 and 1951. It shuttles holidaymakers from the city centre to the Oddicombe Beach and is operated by The Babbacombe Cliff Railway CIO. The funicular railway underwent further refurbishments in 1993 and 2005.
Babbacombe Cliff Railway – official website
Bridgnorth Cliff Railway – one of the steepest funicular railways in Britain, built in 1892 to connect the low and high-lying parts of the town of Bridgnorth, divided by the River Severn. Two carriages run on parallel tracks on a 61-meter long route. The height difference between the starting and ending stations is 34 meters, the maximum slope is 64%.
Lynton and Lynmouth Cliff Railway – a water-powered funicular railway connecting the twin towns of Lynton and Lynmouth, separated by a high cliff. The towns are located on the coast of North Devon in southwest England. The funicular railway was inaugurated in 1890. It is the world’s highest and steepest water-powered cliff railway in operation.
Saltburn Cliff Railway – funicular railway built in 1884 on the site of an archaic crane. 63 meters long, like the others, it was created to facilitate access to the beach and pier, at a time when, after the railway, the fishing village became a dynamically developing holiday resort.
Shipley Glen Tramway – a historic funicular railway (tramway) located near the village of Saltaire in the West Yorkshire, 200 meters from Saltaire railway station. The funicular is operated Shipley Glen Tramway Preservation Co Ltd. The funicular was opened on 18 May 1895. The route is 200 long, maximum gradient is 14.29% and maximum speed 12.1 km/h. The funicular pass through the scenic woods.
Shipley Glen Tramway – official website
Southborne Cliff Railway – a funicular railway connecting Southborne (on the outskirts of Bournemouth) with the beach and promenade. Opened in 1935, length 39 meters, rail gauge 1727 mm, maximum slope 67.1%. There is also a second funicular railway in the same city – the West Cliff Railway.
West Hill Cliff Railway – the most famous funicular railway, located in Hastings. The 150-meter-long line connects the city center with the castle located on a hill. The height difference between the starting and ending stations is 52 meters, the slope is 33%, two carriages can carry 16 passengers each at the same time. Rail spacing 1829 mm. Built in 1889-1891, initially powered by gas. Modernized in 1991. In Hastings you can ride the second funicular railway called the East Hill Lift from 1902.
Additionally, two of the five funicular railways that were once in operation are in operation in Scarborough. The first one – South Cliff Lift – was put into operation in 1873, as the first funicular railway in Great Britain. The funicular is 87 m long, on 1 in 57% gradient. It has been refurbished several times since opening.
In 1879 the gas engines were replaced by steam pumps.
The second one is the Central Tramway inaugurated on 1 August 1881 (it was completed in 1880). The route is 71 m long over a 50% gradient.
Related articles:
Train travel in Great Britain
The best heritage railways in England
The best narrow gauge railways in England
The best scenic railways in England
The most interesting railway lines in England
