Cliff Railways: An Historic Survey

In the 19th Century there was a widespread feeling in seaside resorts with cliffs that visitor numbers would be increased if there was an easy way of reaching, and, returning from the beach, avoiding stairs or long zig-zag paths. The first cliff railway was built at Scarborough in 1875. Since then, around 30 been built, including three at inland locations. Despite having the same function, all are different and have their own characteristics. Some still use water as a power source. The remainder use electric motors. In addition to telling the story of Britain’s cliff railways, the book tells the story of the authorised but unbuilt cliff railways, vertical lifts and electric stairways that serve or served the same function in a few places, and adds details of what might be called ‘cliff railway derivatives,’ steep-grade, rope-hauled, railways, airport automated people movers, and modern inclined lift installations that might have been built as cliff railways if they had been built a hundred years ago.