East Cliff Railway facts for kids
Quick facts for kids East Cliff Railway |
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The cliff railway from the beach. In November, the railway is shut down for the winter
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| Overview | |
| Status | disused |
| Locale | East Cliff, Bournemouth, England, United Kingdom |
| Service | |
| Type | Funicular |
| Operator(s) | Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council |
| History | |
| Opened | 1908 |
| Closed | April 2016 |
| Technical | |
| Line length | 170 feet (52 m) |
| Number of tracks | Double track |
| Track gauge | 5 ft 6 in (1,676 mm) |
| Maximum incline | 68.9% |
The East Cliff Railway, also known as the East Cliff Lift, is a special type of railway. It is called a funicular railway. You can find it on the East Cliff in the seaside town of Bournemouth, England.
This railway was built to help people get from the beach and seaside path up to the top of the cliff. From there, they could easily reach the town. Sadly, in April 2016, a part of the cliff moved. This damaged the railway and its buildings. Because of this, the East Cliff Railway is currently closed.
Contents
How Does This Cliff Railway Work?
The East Cliff Railway is owned and run by the Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council. It uses electricity to move its cars up and down the cliff.
Key Facts About the Railway
Here are some interesting facts about how the railway was built and how it worked:
- Length: The track is about 170 feet (52 m) long.
- Steepness: It goes up a very steep slope, which is called a gradient of 68.9%.
- Cars: There are two cars that travel on the tracks.
- Capacity: Each car can carry up to 12 passengers at a time.
- Tracks: It has two tracks, so cars can go up and down at the same time.
- Track Width: The distance between the rails (called the gauge) is 5 ft 6 in (1,676 mm).
- Power: The railway runs on electricity.
A Look Back: The Railway's History
The East Cliff Railway first opened in 1908. It was built for the Bournemouth Corporation, which was like the local council back then. From the very beginning, it used electricity to power its journey.
How It Was Operated
The main engine was at the top station. It had a 25 horsepower (19 kW) motor that pulled the cars. A driver at the top controlled the railway. An attendant at the bottom station helped passengers and made sure everything was safe. The first cars were made of wood.
Upgrades Over the Years
In the 1960s, the wooden cars were replaced. New cars made of aluminium were put in. These new cars were designed to work on all three of Bournemouth's cliff railways. In 1987, the tracks were replaced. Later, in the 1990s, the railway got a modern electronic control system. This made it even safer and easier to operate.
Why the Railway is Closed Now
On April 24, 2016, a part of the cliff moved. This is called a landslip. It happened because the sandstone in the cliff got very wet. The landslip damaged the railway tracks and the small building at the bottom station. The railway cars had to be lifted off the tracks by a crane. The damaged building was taken down. Since then, the East Cliff Railway has been closed.
Other Cliff Railways in Bournemouth
The East Cliff Railway is one of three special cliff railways in Bournemouth. The other two are the West Cliff Railway and the Fisherman's Walk Cliff Railway. Before the East Cliff Railway closed, all three would usually operate between April and October each year.
