The cliff railway between Lynton and Lynmouth is a highlight of any visit to Lynton. The views are spectacular and the journey exhilarating especially if you manage to stand on the platform by the operator. The history of the cliff railway is fascinating.
The Lynton and Lynmouth Cliff Railway is a water-powered funicular railway joining the twin towns of Lynton and Lynmouth on the rugged coast of North Devon.
The Lift works on a simple blancing principle. The two cars are permanently attached to each other by hauling cables that run around huge 5ft 6″ pulley wheels at the top and the bottom of the tracks. There are four cables in total, two of which are hauling cables that carry the weight of the cars and two tail balanced cables the counteract the weight of the hauling cables.
This historic Victorian railway opened in 1890 and has connected the twin towns of Lynton & Lynmouth ever since. The 862 feet of track rises 500 feet with an impressive gradient of 57% providing stunning views across Lynmouth Bay. The railway is a fully working listed heritage monument, and is the steepest fully water powered railway in the world. With no need for electrictity, gas or diesel the Lynton & Lynmouth Cliff Railway remains the UK’s only fully water powered railway and one of only three examples left in the world.
http://www.cliffrailwaylynton.co.uk/history/
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