Southend Cliff Railway

The Southend Cliff Railway, or Southend Cliff Lift, is a funicular in the English town of Southend-on-Sea, constructed in 1912. The lift operated for the first time on Bank Holiday Monday, in August of that year. Technical detailsThe line is owned and operated by the Museums Service of Southend-on-Sea Borough Council, and has the following technical parameters: Length: 130ftHeight difference: 57ftGradient: 43, 4% Cars: 1Capacity: 12 passengers per carConfiguration: Single track, with separate counterweight trackMain track gauge: 'Counterweight track gauge: 'Traction: Electricity The line has an unusual configuration, as it runs on a single-track elevated structure. The counterweight track runs within this structure, immediately below the main track that carries the passenger car. OperationThe line operates daily in summer between 10: 00 am and 5: 00 pm. A fare of one pound return for adults is charged, and concessions are fifty pence return. HistoryThe line runs on the site of a pioneering moving walkway, a forerunner of today's escalator. This was constructed in 1901 by the American engineer Jesse W. Reno, but soon proved noisy and unreliable due its exposed location. The current lift was constructed by Waygood & Company, now part of the famous Otis Elevator Company. Since opening in 1912 it has been modernised three times, in 1930, 1959 and 1990. Each modernisation has resulted in the replacement of the car.

The Southend Cliff Railway, or Southend Cliff Lift, is a funicular in the English town of Southend-on-Sea, constructed in 1912. The lift operated for the first time on Bank Holiday Monday, in August of that year. Technical detailsThe line is owned and operated by the Museums Service of Southend-on-Sea Borough Council, and has the following technical parameters: Length: 130ftHeight difference: 57ftGradient: 43, 4% Cars: 1Capacity: 12 passengers per carConfiguration: Single track, with separate counterweight trackMain track gauge: 'Counterweight track gauge: 'Traction: Electricity The line has an unusual configuration, as it runs on a single-track elevated structure. The counterweight track runs within this structure, immediately below the main track that carries the passenger car. OperationThe line operates daily in summer between 10: 00 am and 5: 00 pm. A fare of one pound return for adults is charged, and concessions are fifty pence return. HistoryThe line runs on the site of a pioneering moving walkway, a forerunner of today's escalator. This was constructed in 1901 by the American engineer Jesse W. Reno, but soon proved noisy and unreliable due its exposed location. The current lift was constructed by Waygood & Company, now part of the famous Otis Elevator Company. Since opening in 1912 it has been modernised three times, in 1930, 1959 and 1990. Each modernisation has resulted in the replacement of the car.