One of the most evocative reminders of Victorian ingenuity at the
British seaside is the much-loved cliff lift. This simple method of
transporting people up and down the cliff side has been a feature of our
coast, and a few inland towns, for over 150 years and has recently
undergone a renaissance at places as varied as the National Coal Mining
Museum, Legoland and the Centre for Alternative Technology.The cliff
lift, otherwise termed the cliff railway or tramway, is also known as a
funicular railway. The word 'funicular' is defined as 'of rope or
tension', in other words a cable-hauled railway or tramway. The lifts
were directly descended from cable-hauled railways, prevalent in mines
and quarries, but also early passenger lines, where an engine or winding
gear hauled loads up steep slopes. The term 'cliff lift' also generally
encompasses the elevator-type lifts that were erected at some
resorts.This book illustrates, mainly in colour, all the principal cliff
lifts and railways that have been built in the British Isles, along with
associated cable tramways, since their inception in the Victorian age.
In addition to featuring all the surviving lifts, this book includes
others which are long gone, and serves as a fine record of these
charming and unique structures.
