Aberystwyth Cliff Railway: Difference between revisions
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Adding local short description: "Funicular railway in Ceredigion, Wales", overriding Wikidata description "Grade II listed building in Ceredigion. At the bottom of the terrace, facing down Queen's Road; the railway rises up Constitution Hill which forms the northern termination of the Promenade." |
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{{Short description|Funicular railway in Ceredigion, Wales}} |
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{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2018}} |
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{{Use British English|date=January 2018}} |
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| stations = 2 |
| stations = 2 |
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| ridership = |
| ridership = |
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| track_gauge = {{RailGauge| |
| track_gauge = {{RailGauge|ohio}} |
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| operator = [[Constitution Hill, Aberystwyth|Constitution Hill Ltd]] |
| operator = [[Constitution Hill, Aberystwyth|Constitution Hill Ltd]] |
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|}} |
|}} |
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The '''Aberystwyth Cliff Railway''' ({{lang-cy|Rheilffordd y Graig}}) opened on 1 August 1896. It |
The '''Aberystwyth Cliff Railway''' ({{lang-cy|Rheilffordd y Graig}}) opened on 1 August 1896. It is a {{convert|778|ft}} long [[funicular]] railway in [[Aberystwyth]] and is the second longest funicular railway in the British Isles, after the [[Lynton and Lynmouth Cliff Railway]]. Since November 1987, the Aberystwyth Cliff Railway has been a [[listed building|Grade II listed structure]]. |
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The Cliff Railway was developed as an element of [[Constitution Hill, Aberystwyth|Constitution Hill]], a [[Victorian era|Victorian]] business venture by the Aberystwyth Improvement Company in the 1890s. The funicular took visitors to the top of the hill, where attractions such as a [[camera obscura]] were established. The cliff railway was originally a water balance system, but it was electrified during 1921. Passengers numbers were high during its initial decades, but dropped after the outbreak of the [[World War II|Second World War]] and stayed depressed for decades. The cliff railway is now owned and run by Constitution Hill Ltd, a registered [[Charitable organization|charity]]. It is open to passengers during the summer months, typically operating between April and October, with a reduced timetable during the rest of the year. |
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The Aberystwyth Cliff Railway is a cable-drawn balanced system, using a pair of passenger cars perminantly connected together via a continuous cable and run in opposite directions along separate parallel tracks. |
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==Location== |
==Location== |
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The Aberystwyth Cliff Railway |
The Aberystwyth Cliff Railway was part of the [[Constitution Hill, Aberystwyth|Constitution Hill]] development built by the Aberystwyth Improvement Company, established in 1895.<ref name=EngTime>{{cite web|url=http://www.engineering-timelines.com/scripts/engineeringItem.asp?id=301 |title=Aberystwyth Cliff Railway |publisher=engineering-timelines.com |accessdate=4 June 2010 |url-status = dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120223180133/http://www.engineering-timelines.com/scripts/engineeringItem.asp?id=301 |archivedate=23 February 2012}}</ref> It was an early [[theme park]], consisting of arcades and restaurant at the foot of the hill, and a [[camera obscura]] and park at the top. The funicular railway was developed to transport people between the areas.<ref>[https://www.stallionvalley.com/west-wales/item/119-aberystwyth-cliff-railway/ "Aberystwyth Cliff Railway."] ''stallionvalley.com'', Retrieved: 22 June 2018.</ref> Constitution Hill was designed and engineered by [[George Croydon Marks]] who also designed the pavilion for the [[Royal Pier, Aberystwyth|Aberystwyth Royal Pier]],<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.visitaberystwyth.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=56&Itemid=73&lang=en |title=Aberystwyth Royal Pier |publisher=visitaberystwyth.com |accessdate=31 May 2010 |url-status = dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20131103141955/http://www.visitaberystwyth.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=56&Itemid=73&lang=en |archivedate=3 November 2013}}</ref> and a meandering footpath as an alternative to the Cliff Railway. Around 12,000 tonnes of rock was excavated for the middle section of the footpath to accommodate a footbridge over the cliff railway. The area is surrounded by the gardens and pleasure grounds of Constitution Hill.<ref name=EngTime/> |
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As an original part of Constitution Hill, Croydon-Marks designed into the development a meandering footpath that served as an alternative route to the Cliff Railway. In order to allow this path to pass over the railway, around 12,000 tonnes of rock was excavated for the middle section of the intended route, resulting in the track's midsection being lower than it otherwise would have been, thus readily accomidating the presence of a footbridge for the path. The area surrounding the tracks is surrounded by the gardens and pleasure grounds that comprise Constitution Hill.<ref name=EngTime/> |
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==Design== |
==Design== |
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[[File:Aberystwyth Cliff Railway - 4 - geograph.org.uk - 1166373.jpg|thumb|An empty car descending |
[[File:Aberystwyth Cliff Railway - 4 - geograph.org.uk - 1166373.jpg|thumb|An empty car descending the cliff railway]] |
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The |
The cliff railway was originally a [[cable railway|cable-drawn]] balanced system moving a pair of cars, with a maximum capacity of 30 passengers, permanently connected via a continuous cable.<ref name=EngTime/> When opened, it operated using a water balance system, which used a [[Worthington Corporation]] [[compound steam engine]] [[water pump]] housed in the lower station to move water to the upper station. Each passenger car had a tank in their chassis that could hold 4 tonnes of water. Water was added to the tank of the top car, which descended under [[gravity]], hauling the lighter lower car on the parallel track to the top station. |
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The railway is straight, ascending about {{convert|430|ft|m}} over a horizontal distance of {{convert|778|ft|m}}, a maximum gradient of more than 1:2 (50 per cent).<ref name=EngTime/> The gauge is {{TrackGauge|4ft8in}}, slightly narrower than [[standard gauge]], and laid on timber [[Railroad tie|sleeper]]s.<ref name=EngTime/> |
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In 1921, the railway was [[electricity|electrified]] using a 41 kW {{Interlanguage link|ATB AG|de|}} Morley [[DC motor]]. In 1934, after changes to the town’s electricity supply, a [[Mercury-arc valve|mercury arc rectifier]] and [[transformer]] were installed in the lower station to provide a 440V DC power output. The cars are moved using a high-tensile [[steel]] cable attached to both vehicles. It passes around a drum, mounted on a vertical axis between the tracks at the top. The motor drives the drum controlled by an automated [[Cut-off (electronics)|cut-off]] which stops the motor and the cars when required.<ref>{{cite web |title=Aberystwyth Cliff Railway |url=http://www.engineering-timelines.com/scripts/engineeringItem.asp?id=301 |website=Engineering Timelines |accessdate=27 November 2019}}</ref> |
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The railway runs a straight course, ascending some {{convert|430|ft}} within the space of {{convert|778|ft}}, resulting in a gradient steeper than 1:2 (50 per cent).<ref name=EngTime/> This gradient is not consistent along the length of the tracks however, the slope noticeably varies in steepness towards each end of the tracks; this was a deliberate measure that helps with acceleration and deceleration. The rails of the track are spaced a little wider than on [[standard gauge]] railway, at 1.473m (4ft 10in), and laid on timber [[sleeper]]s.<ref name=EngTime/> |
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Its twin carriages are named ''Lord Geraint'' and ''Lord Marks.''<ref>{{cite book |last=Easdwon |first=Martin |date=2018 |title=Cliff Railways, Lifts and Funiculars |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=oq6IDwAAQBAJ&pg=PT10 |publisher=Amberley Publishing |isbn=978-1445680033 }}</ref> |
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During 1921, the Aberystwyth Cliff Railway was [[electricity|electrified]] using a 41kW [[Morley]] [[direct current|DC]] [[motor]], a change which resulted in the discontinuation of the water balance system; this substituation had been made on grounds of cost.<ref name=EngTime/> In 1934, as a consiquence of changes to the town’s electricity supply, a [[Mercury-arc valve|mercury arc rectifier]] and [[transformer]] were installed in the lower station to provide a 440V DC power output for the motor. Since the cliff railway's conversion to use electrical motive power, the cars are moved via a high-tensile [[steel]] cable that is attached to both vehicles; this passes around a drum, mounted on a vertical axis, situated in a central position between the tracks near the top of the tracks.<ref name=EngTime/> The motor acts upon the drum, moving it in either one direction or the other dependent upon which of the cars is currently at the bottom. Safe control of the system is assured by the presence of an automated [[Cut-off (electronics)|cut-off]] which immediately stop the motor and thus motion of the cars when relevant.<ref name=EngTime/> |
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==Operations== |
==Operations== |
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[[File:Aberystwyth Cliff Railway - geograph.org.uk - 901622.jpg|thumb|Lower station of the Aberystwyth Cliff Railway]] |
[[File:Aberystwyth Cliff Railway - geograph.org.uk - 901622.jpg|thumb|Lower station of the Aberystwyth Cliff Railway]] |
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[[File:Aberystwyth Wales UK 1985 02.jpg|thumb|A car near the upper station of the railway, circa 1985]] |
[[File:Aberystwyth Wales UK 1985 02.jpg|thumb|A car near the upper station of the railway, circa 1985]] |
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The cliff railway opened to the public in 1896; and was credited with stimulating the development of Constitution Hill as a popular leisure area.<ref name = "his point">[http://historypoints.org/index.php?page=aberystwyth-cliff-railway "Aberystwyth Cliff Railway."] ''historypoints.org'', Retrieved: 22 June 2018.</ref> |
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Throughout the 1920s and 1930s, the |
Throughout the 1920s and 1930s, the cliff railway was popular with visitors but during and after the [[World War II|Second World War]], passenger numbers declined significantly. In 1948, seeking to revive its fortunes, the Aberystwyth Pier Company bought it and carried out repairs and upgrades. The new owners were unable to increase passenger numbers. |
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In 1976, |
In 1976, the railway was closed briefly on account of a fault in its braking system. During the late 1970s, a local mining company acquired a majority stake and formed the Aberystwyth Cliff Railway Company to operate it. In 1978 a new electrical system was installed which is used to the present day. It takes its power from and returns surplus energy to the [[National Grid (Great Britain)|National Grid]]. |
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In November 1987, the cliff railway was recognised as a [[listed building|Grade II listed structure]].<ref name=EngTime/> In 1998, it was purchased by Constitution Hill Ltd,<ref name = "his point"/> a registered [[Charitable organization|charity]], the [[trustee]]s are volunteers; all profits generated support the railway's maintenance and restoration activities. The cliff railway has received some external funding, including grants from [[European Union]] funds.<ref name = "his point"/> |
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The railway is operated under a [[Light Railways Act 1896|light railway order]].<ref name=EngTime/> The line is open to passengers during the summer months, typically operating between April and October, while transitioning to a limited timetable during the colder months.<ref>[http://www.visitmidwales.co.uk/Aberystwyth-Aberystwyth-Cliff-Railway/details/?dms=3&venue=1122209 "Aberystwyth Cliff Railway."] ''visitmidwales.co.uk'', Retrieved: 22 June 2018.</ref> |
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The upper station was refurbished with a café and gift shop during 2005 and roof repairs were made in 2014.<ref name=EngTime/> Ramps and other adaptations make the service accessible to [[wheelchair]] users. The ticket office at the lower station has been converted into a holiday apartment.{{cn|date=May 2020}} Of the four original timber bridges constructed to carry hillside paths over the railway, three remain at the northern half of the route for foot traffic.<ref name=EngTime/> |
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==In fiction== |
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==Appearance in music and literature== |
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The railway makes appearances in the work of author [[Malcolm Pryce]].<ref>Katsoulis, Melissa. [https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/books/3641737/Something-fishy-in-Wales.html "Something fishy in Wales."] ''The Telegraph'', 7 May 2005.</ref> |
The railway makes appearances in the work of author [[Malcolm Pryce]].<ref>Katsoulis, Melissa. [https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/books/3641737/Something-fishy-in-Wales.html "Something fishy in Wales."] ''The Telegraph'', 7 May 2005.</ref> |
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[[Category:Works by George Croydon Marks]] |
[[Category:Works by George Croydon Marks]] |
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[[Category:Former water-powered funicular railways converted to electricity]] |
[[Category:Former water-powered funicular railways converted to electricity]] |
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[[Category:Standard gauge railways in Wales]] |
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[[Category:Aberystwyth]] |
[[Category:Aberystwyth]] |
Latest revision as of 03:54, 29 February 2024
Aberystwyth Cliff Railway | |
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Overview | |
Locale | Aberystwyth |
Transit type | Funicular railway |
Number of stations | 2 |
Operation | |
Began operation | 1 August 1896 |
Operator(s) | Constitution Hill Ltd |
Technical | |
System length | 778 feet (237 m) |
Track gauge | 4 ft 10 in (1,473 mm) |
The Aberystwyth Cliff Railway (Welsh: Rheilffordd y Graig) opened on 1 August 1896. It is a 778 feet (237 m) long funicular railway in Aberystwyth and is the second longest funicular railway in the British Isles, after the Lynton and Lynmouth Cliff Railway. Since November 1987, the Aberystwyth Cliff Railway has been a Grade II listed structure.
The Cliff Railway was developed as an element of Constitution Hill, a Victorian business venture by the Aberystwyth Improvement Company in the 1890s. The funicular took visitors to the top of the hill, where attractions such as a camera obscura were established. The cliff railway was originally a water balance system, but it was electrified during 1921. Passengers numbers were high during its initial decades, but dropped after the outbreak of the Second World War and stayed depressed for decades. The cliff railway is now owned and run by Constitution Hill Ltd, a registered charity. It is open to passengers during the summer months, typically operating between April and October, with a reduced timetable during the rest of the year.
Location[edit]
The Aberystwyth Cliff Railway was part of the Constitution Hill development built by the Aberystwyth Improvement Company, established in 1895.[1] It was an early theme park, consisting of arcades and restaurant at the foot of the hill, and a camera obscura and park at the top. The funicular railway was developed to transport people between the areas.[2] Constitution Hill was designed and engineered by George Croydon Marks who also designed the pavilion for the Aberystwyth Royal Pier,[3] and a meandering footpath as an alternative to the Cliff Railway. Around 12,000 tonnes of rock was excavated for the middle section of the footpath to accommodate a footbridge over the cliff railway. The area is surrounded by the gardens and pleasure grounds of Constitution Hill.[1]
Design[edit]
The cliff railway was originally a cable-drawn balanced system moving a pair of cars, with a maximum capacity of 30 passengers, permanently connected via a continuous cable.[1] When opened, it operated using a water balance system, which used a Worthington Corporation compound steam engine water pump housed in the lower station to move water to the upper station. Each passenger car had a tank in their chassis that could hold 4 tonnes of water. Water was added to the tank of the top car, which descended under gravity, hauling the lighter lower car on the parallel track to the top station.
The railway is straight, ascending about 430 feet (130 m) over a horizontal distance of 778 feet (237 m), a maximum gradient of more than 1:2 (50 per cent).[1] The gauge is 4 ft 8 in (1,422 mm), slightly narrower than standard gauge, and laid on timber sleepers.[1]
In 1921, the railway was electrified using a 41 kW ATB AG Morley DC motor. In 1934, after changes to the town’s electricity supply, a mercury arc rectifier and transformer were installed in the lower station to provide a 440V DC power output. The cars are moved using a high-tensile steel cable attached to both vehicles. It passes around a drum, mounted on a vertical axis between the tracks at the top. The motor drives the drum controlled by an automated cut-off which stops the motor and the cars when required.[4]
Its twin carriages are named Lord Geraint and Lord Marks.[5]
Operations[edit]
The cliff railway opened to the public in 1896; and was credited with stimulating the development of Constitution Hill as a popular leisure area.[6]
Throughout the 1920s and 1930s, the cliff railway was popular with visitors but during and after the Second World War, passenger numbers declined significantly. In 1948, seeking to revive its fortunes, the Aberystwyth Pier Company bought it and carried out repairs and upgrades. The new owners were unable to increase passenger numbers.
In 1976, the railway was closed briefly on account of a fault in its braking system. During the late 1970s, a local mining company acquired a majority stake and formed the Aberystwyth Cliff Railway Company to operate it. In 1978 a new electrical system was installed which is used to the present day. It takes its power from and returns surplus energy to the National Grid.
In November 1987, the cliff railway was recognised as a Grade II listed structure.[1] In 1998, it was purchased by Constitution Hill Ltd,[6] a registered charity, the trustees are volunteers; all profits generated support the railway's maintenance and restoration activities. The cliff railway has received some external funding, including grants from European Union funds.[6]
The railway is operated under a light railway order.[1] The line is open to passengers during the summer months, typically operating between April and October, while transitioning to a limited timetable during the colder months.[7]
The upper station was refurbished with a café and gift shop during 2005 and roof repairs were made in 2014.[1] Ramps and other adaptations make the service accessible to wheelchair users. The ticket office at the lower station has been converted into a holiday apartment.[citation needed] Of the four original timber bridges constructed to carry hillside paths over the railway, three remain at the northern half of the route for foot traffic.[1]
In fiction[edit]
The railway makes appearances in the work of author Malcolm Pryce.[8]
See also[edit]
References[edit]
- ^ a b c d e f g h i "Aberystwyth Cliff Railway". engineering-timelines.com. Archived from the original on 23 February 2012. Retrieved 4 June 2010.
- ^ "Aberystwyth Cliff Railway." stallionvalley.com, Retrieved: 22 June 2018.
- ^ "Aberystwyth Royal Pier". visitaberystwyth.com. Archived from the original on 3 November 2013. Retrieved 31 May 2010.
- ^ "Aberystwyth Cliff Railway". Engineering Timelines. Retrieved 27 November 2019.
- ^ Easdwon, Martin (2018). Cliff Railways, Lifts and Funiculars. Amberley Publishing. ISBN 978-1445680033.
- ^ a b c "Aberystwyth Cliff Railway." historypoints.org, Retrieved: 22 June 2018.
- ^ "Aberystwyth Cliff Railway." visitmidwales.co.uk, Retrieved: 22 June 2018.
- ^ Katsoulis, Melissa. "Something fishy in Wales." The Telegraph, 7 May 2005.
External links[edit]
- Constitution Hill
- Map sources for Aberystwyth Cliff Railway