Aberystwyth Cliff Railway: Difference between revisions
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The Aberystwyth Cliff Railway formed a part of [[Constitution Hill, Aberystwyth|Constitution Hill]], a Victorian development on the hill of the same name built by the Aberystwyth Improvement Company, which was established during 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 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120223180133/http://www.engineering-timelines.com/scripts/engineeringItem.asp?id=301 |archivedate=23 February 2012}}</ref> It functioned as a form of early [[theme park]], consisting of various arcades and a restaurant at the foot of the hill, while the top of the hill featured a [[camera obscura]] and park; the funicular railway was developed as a means of transporting people between the two areas. Constitution Hill had been designed and engineered by [[George Croydon Marks]], who later became a [[Labour Party (UK)|Labour]] peer, who at the same time designed the new pavilion for the city's [[Royal Pier, 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 |deadurl=yes |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> |
The Aberystwyth Cliff Railway formed a part of [[Constitution Hill, Aberystwyth|Constitution Hill]], a Victorian development on the hill of the same name built by the Aberystwyth Improvement Company, which was established during 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 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120223180133/http://www.engineering-timelines.com/scripts/engineeringItem.asp?id=301 |archivedate=23 February 2012}}</ref> It functioned as a form of early [[theme park]], consisting of various arcades and a restaurant at the foot of the hill, while the top of the hill featured a [[camera obscura]] and park; the funicular railway was developed as a means of transporting people between the two areas. Constitution Hill had been designed and engineered by [[George Croydon Marks]], who later became a [[Labour Party (UK)|Labour]] peer, who at the same time designed the new pavilion for the city's [[Royal Pier, 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 |deadurl=yes |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> |
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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, |
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 down the cliff railway]] |
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The Aberystwyth Cliff Railway is cable-drawn balanced system, moving a pair of passenger cars, each possessing a maximum capacity of 30 passengers, that were perminantly connected together via a continuous cable and run in opposite directions along separate parallel tracks.<ref name=EngTime/> As opened, it was operated using a water balance system, which used a [[Worthington Corporation]] [[compound steam engine]] [[water pump]] housed within the lower station to move water upwards to the upper station. Each passenger cars had a single tank, capable of containing up to 4 tonnes of water, incorporated into their chassis frames. Movement was achieved by allowing water to enter the tank of the top car, which would enduced the cars descent under [[gravity]] alone, while also brining the lower car, which was lighter and directly attached via the cable, up the slope to take its place at the top station.<ref name=EngTime/> |
The Aberystwyth Cliff Railway is cable-drawn balanced system, moving a pair of passenger cars, each possessing a maximum capacity of 30 passengers, that were perminantly connected together via a continuous cable and run in opposite directions along separate parallel tracks.<ref name=EngTime/> As opened, it was operated using a water balance system, which used a [[Worthington Corporation]] [[compound steam engine]] [[water pump]] housed within the lower station to move water upwards to the upper station. Each passenger cars had a single tank, capable of containing up to 4 tonnes of water, incorporated into their chassis frames. Movement was achieved by allowing water to enter the tank of the top car, which would enduced the cars descent under [[gravity]] alone, while also brining the lower car, which was lighter and directly attached via the cable, up the slope to take its place at the top station.<ref name=EngTime/> |
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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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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/> |
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|Lower station of the Aberystwyth Cliff Railway]] |
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| ⚫ | Throughout the 1920s and 1930s, the Aberystwyth Cliff Railway had proven have been popular with visitors; however, during and after the [[World War II|Second World War]], passenger numbers declined significantly.<ref name=EngTime/> During 1948, seeking to revive its fortunes, the Aberystwyth Pier Company elected to purchase the railway and carry out a series of repairs and upgrades upon its equipment. However, the initiatives of the new ownership were unable to make a positive impact upon passenger numbers.<ref name=EngTime/> |
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[[File:Aberystwyth Wales UK 1985 02.jpg|thumb|A car near the upper station of the railway, circa 1985]] |
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| ⚫ | Throughout the 1920s and 1930s, the Aberystwyth Cliff Railway had proven have been popular with visitors; however, during and after the [[World War II|Second World War]], passenger numbers declined significantly.<ref name=EngTime/> During 1948, seeking to revive its fortunes, the Aberystwyth Pier Company elected to purchase the railway and carry out a series of repairs and upgrades upon its equipment. However, the initiatives of the new ownership were unable to make a positive impact upon passenger numbers.<ref name=EngTime/> Its twin carriages, which both have a maximum capacity of 30 passengers,<ref name=EngTime/> are named the ''Lord Geraint'' and the ''Lord Marks.'' |
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In 1976, a brief closure of the cliff railway had to be enacted on account of the discovery of a fault in its braking system.<ref name=EngTime/> During the late 1970s, a local mining company acquired a majority stake in the Aberystwyth Cliff Railway and formed a new entity to operate it, simply known as the Aberystwyth Cliff Railway Company. In 1978, amid other improvements and alterations being made around this time, a new electrical system for operating the railway was installed; this facility, which is used during the present day, takes its power from, as well as returning surplus energy to, the [[National Grid]].<ref name=EngTime/> |
In 1976, a brief closure of the cliff railway had to be enacted on account of the discovery of a fault in its braking system.<ref name=EngTime/> During the late 1970s, a local mining company acquired a majority stake in the Aberystwyth Cliff Railway and formed a new entity to operate it, simply known as the Aberystwyth Cliff Railway Company. In 1978, amid other improvements and alterations being made around this time, a new electrical system for operating the railway was installed; this facility, which is used during the present day, takes its power from, as well as returning surplus energy to, the [[National Grid]].<ref name=EngTime/> |
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Revision as of 22:57, 21 June 2018
| Aberystwyth Cliff Railway | |
|---|---|
 | |
| 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 | 1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in) |
The Aberystwyth Cliff Railway (Welsh: Rheilffordd y Graig) opened on 1 August 1896. It is a funicular railway in Aberystwyth, Ceredigion, Wales, having a length of 778 feet (237 m). For many years, it was the longest funicular railway in the British Isles[1] until 2001, when the Cairngorm Mountain Railway opened.
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.
Location
The Aberystwyth Cliff Railway formed a part of Constitution Hill, a Victorian development on the hill of the same name built by the Aberystwyth Improvement Company, which was established during 1895.[2] It functioned as a form of early theme park, consisting of various arcades and a restaurant at the foot of the hill, while the top of the hill featured a camera obscura and park; the funicular railway was developed as a means of transporting people between the two areas. Constitution Hill had been designed and engineered by George Croydon Marks, who later became a Labour peer, who at the same time designed the new pavilion for the city's Royal Pier.[3]
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.[2]
Design
The Aberystwyth Cliff Railway is cable-drawn balanced system, moving a pair of passenger cars, each possessing a maximum capacity of 30 passengers, that were perminantly connected together via a continuous cable and run in opposite directions along separate parallel tracks.[2] As opened, it was operated using a water balance system, which used a Worthington Corporation compound steam engine water pump housed within the lower station to move water upwards to the upper station. Each passenger cars had a single tank, capable of containing up to 4 tonnes of water, incorporated into their chassis frames. Movement was achieved by allowing water to enter the tank of the top car, which would enduced the cars descent under gravity alone, while also brining the lower car, which was lighter and directly attached via the cable, up the slope to take its place at the top station.[2]
The railway runs a straight course, ascending some 430 feet (130 m) within the space of 778 feet (237 m), resulting in a gradient steeper than 1:2 (50 per cent).[2] 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 sleepers.[2]
During 1921, the Aberystwyth Cliff Railway was electrified using a 41kW Morley DC motor, a change which resulted in the discontinuation of the water balance system; this substituation had been made on grounds of cost.[2] In 1934, as a consiquence of 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 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.[2] 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 which immediately stop the motor and thus motion of the cars when relevant.[2]
Operations
Throughout the 1920s and 1930s, the Aberystwyth Cliff Railway had proven have been popular with visitors; however, during and after the Second World War, passenger numbers declined significantly.[2] During 1948, seeking to revive its fortunes, the Aberystwyth Pier Company elected to purchase the railway and carry out a series of repairs and upgrades upon its equipment. However, the initiatives of the new ownership were unable to make a positive impact upon passenger numbers.[2] Its twin carriages, which both have a maximum capacity of 30 passengers,[2] are named the Lord Geraint and the Lord Marks.
In 1976, a brief closure of the cliff railway had to be enacted on account of the discovery of a fault in its braking system.[2] During the late 1970s, a local mining company acquired a majority stake in the Aberystwyth Cliff Railway and formed a new entity to operate it, simply known as the Aberystwyth Cliff Railway Company. In 1978, amid other improvements and alterations being made around this time, a new electrical system for operating the railway was installed; this facility, which is used during the present day, takes its power from, as well as returning surplus energy to, the National Grid.[2]
During November 1987, the Aberystwyth Cliff Railway was recognised as a Grade II listed structure.[2] During 1998, the funicular was purchased by its current owners, Constitution Hill Ltd. Presently, the railway is being operated under a light railway order.[2] The line is open to passengers continuously during the summer months of year, typically operating as such between April and October, while transitioning down to a limited timetable during the colder months of the year. Reportedly, it has been quite popular during the summer season during the last few years.[2]
In recent years, the upper station of the cliff railway has been subject to refurbishment efforts, including roof repairs that were undertaken during 2014.[2] The service is currently accessible to wheelchair users. Of the four original timber bridges that were constructed to carry existing hillside paths over the funicular, three remain in place over the northern half of the route to this day; these are presently being used for foot traffic.[2]
Appearance in music and literature
The railway makes appearances in the work of author Malcolm Pryce.[4]
See also
References
- ^ Riley, Andrew; Blackwood, Lorna (30 November 2007). "Focus on... Aberystwyth". London: The Times. Retrieved 4 June 2010.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s "Aberystwyth Cliff Railway". engineering-timelines.com. Archived from the original on 23 February 2012. Retrieved 4 June 2010.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ "Aberystwyth Royal Pier". visitaberystwyth.com. Archived from the original on 3 November 2013. Retrieved 31 May 2010.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ Katsoulis, Melissa. "Something fishy in Wales." The Telegraph, 7 May 2005.
External links
- Constitution Hill
- Map sources for Aberystwyth Cliff Railway