Railway Herald
The Cliff lift or Funicular Railway at Saltburn on Sea photographed on 7th November 2015. Opened in 1884 to replace an earlier vertical hoist the lift is probably the oldest of its type still operating. The two cars seen here are each fitted with a 1000 gallon water tank, when a car is at the top of the 71% incline it has its tank filled with water until it overbalances the weight of the cart below and gently descends while the lower car ascends. When the car reaches the bottom its water is re-pumped to the top and the process begins all over again. The cars are controlled by a brakeman at the top. The 10-12 seater cars were rebuilt to the original Victorian design for the Saltburn 150 celebrations in 2011.
Andy Shotts
