Lynton and Lynmouth Cliff Railway

Lynton and Lynmouth are separated by a high cliff, making it hard for people and goods to move between them.

Local contractor Robert Jones was involved in designing the funicular's innovative braking system and the line's construction and maintenance in the first decades of its operation.

In 1887, construction commenced and a year later, an Act of Parliament authorised the Lynmouth & Lynton Lift Company to operate it.

While early use was largely focused on moving freight, the funicular railway became popular with tourists and it became mostly used for passenger travel.

[1] The high cliffs separating Lynton and Lynmouth made travel and economic development in the area difficult.

[2] Most goods, including coal, lime, foodstuffs and other essentials, were delivered by sea to Lynmouth and then carried by packhorses and carts up the steep hill to Lynton.

Ponies, donkeys and carriages were available for hire, but the steep gradients led to the animals having short working lives.

As the 19th century progressed, it was apparent that the cliffs were restricting the transport of goods between the villages and deterring prospective visitors.

[5] It quickly found use in carrying various goods including coal, ice, sand, granite, cement, petrol and paraffin.

The collapse, caused by a combination of heavy rain, freezing conditions, and high winds, deposited debris onto the track; the railway was not operating at the time.

Due to the steepness of the railway, the original carriages incorporated four independent braking systems, the primary system using hydraulically-actuated callipers that directly clamp onto the under-side of the rail heads, secondary friction brakes are provided by steel shoes that press onto the rails; water instead of oil is used as hydraulic fluid, a unique feature of the Lynmouth & Lynton Cliff Railway.