Industrial History Online

Industrial History Online

Saltburn Cliff Railway

Description and History of Site:-
One of three operational cliff tramways in Yorkshire, Saltburn Cliff Lift was the third cliff lift to be built in this country following two pioneering examples built at Scarborough. The present line which dates from 1884 replaced an earlier vertical wooden tower hoist, built 1869, which rose 120ft (30.5m) from the pier. The 270ft (82.3m) long railway which rises 114ft (34.75m) at a gradient of 1 in 1.33, is still operated by water ballast which after discharge from the lower car is pumped back to the upper tank, originally by a gas engine, now electrically. The cliff railway is still operational and open to the public during the summer months.
(Data from lift leaflet note conflict with above that needs resolving)

Opened 28th June 1884
Height of Lift 120ft
Gradient 1 in 1.40 (71%) (ie a rise of 120 ft in a horizontal distance of 168 ft)
Length of track 207 ft
Track Gauge 4ft 21/2 inches
Motive power waterballast
Original pump - gas engine worked of mains (town) gas
Electric pump installed 1924rnPump capacity 180 gallons per minute
Seating capacity 12 persons
Travel time approx 55 secs
Top Tank 18,500 gallons
Bottom Tank 30,000 gallons
Tram Tanks 350 gallons each Opened in 1884. Still operational 2021. Did not operate through-out the Covid Pandemic.


Further Reading and References:-
Falconer K Guide to England's Industrial Heritage
Harrison J.K. and A. 1980. Saltburn by the Sea: early years of a SDR company venture. Ind. Arch. Rev Vol 4 No 2.
Tighe M F 1992 Cliff Lift Saltburn by the Sea Cleveland
Wilson C S 1983 The History of Saltburn by the Sea

https://redcarcleveland.co.uk/enjoy/saltburn-cliff-tramway/


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Key Words :- inclined cliff railway tramway lift funicular railway

Viewing the Site :- Open to the public during the summer season

Address :- Marine Parade, Saltburn by the Sea, North Yorkshire, TS12 1HQ
Grid Ref :- NZ 66597 21653
Co-ordinates :- Lat 54.585697 , Long -0.971028
Local Authority :- Redcar and Cleveland District Council
Pre 1974 County :- Yorkshire - North Riding
Site Status :- Listed - Grade II*
Historic England List No - 1387523, 1387519, ,
Site Condition :- Site conserved and open to the public
Site Dates :- 1884 - current
Record Date :- 24 June 2015

Copyright :- cc-by-nc-sa 4.0 © Charles Morris