Fisherman's Walk Cliff Railway facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Fisherman's Walk Cliff Railway |
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The cliff railway (left of centre) seen from the beach
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| Overview | |
| Status | in use |
| Locale | Southbourne, United Kingdom |
| Service | |
| Type | Funicular |
| Operator(s) | Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council |
| History | |
| Opened | 1935 |
| Technical | |
| Line length | 128 feet (39 m) |
| Number of tracks | Double track |
| Track gauge | 5 ft 8 in (1,727 mm) |
| Maximum incline | 67.11% |
The Fisherman's Walk Cliff Railway, also known as the Southbourne Cliff Railway, is a special type of train called a funicular that helps people travel up and down a steep hill. It's located in Southbourne, a lovely seaside area in Bournemouth, England. This railway connects the beach and seaside path with the top of the cliff and the town above.
Contents
About the Railway
This railway is owned and run by the Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council. It's a short but mighty ride!
Key Facts About the Railway
- It is about 128 feet (39 m) long.
- The slope is very steep, at 67.11%.
- There are two cars, which are like small train carriages.
- Each car can carry up to 12 passengers.
- It has two tracks, one for each car.
- The tracks are 5 ft 8 in (1,727 mm) wide.
- The railway runs on electricity.
History of the Railway
The Fisherman's Walk Cliff Railway first opened in 1935. It was built by the Bournemouth Corporation. This makes it the newest of the three cliff railways in Bournemouth.
When it first opened, a 21-horsepower electric motor powered the railway. This motor was updated in the 1960s. The passenger cars were replaced with newer ones in April 2012.
Did you know? The 2015 Guinness Book of Records says the Fisherman's Walk Cliff Railway is the shortest funicular in the world!
Other Cliff Railways Nearby
Bournemouth has two other cliff railways besides this one. They are the West Cliff Railway and the East Cliff Railway. All three of these railways usually operate between April and October each year.
Railway as an Arts Stage
On Sunday, May 6, 2018, something unique happened at the railway. A group of sound and performance artists called Language, Timothy! used the railway for a special show. They performed a theatre piece called 'Sound Journeys: The Longest Second'.
This performance was made just for the Southbourne railway. It was part of the Bournemouth Emerging Arts Fringe (BEAF) Festival 2018. Over 500 passengers got to see parts of the show. It ran for four hours during the railway's normal operating times.
