Babbacombe Cliff Railway
We have provided a link the cliff railway website, but here is a synopsis of the this well known local railway.
A cliff Railway was proposed as early as 1890 by Sir George Newnes, an MP, between the Downs and Oddicombe Beach but it was not started until 1923 when the “Torquay Tramway Company” announced its intention to build a lift/mechanism to Oddicombe Beach. Waygood Otis, the famous lift company was appointed to undertake the installation which commenced in December 1924 and was completed in 1926. The “lift” cost £15,648 to construct.
Alderman John Taylor, the Mayor of Torquay, on April 1st 1926 ,made the first trip. The tramway company operated the “lift” until the 13th March 1935 when it was taken over by Torquay Corporation for the sum of £18,000. In that year over 190,000 people used the lift
In 1941, the line closed due to wartime restrictions and the beach was sealed off. The line did not reopen until 29th June 1951. In 1993, the track was replaced and the lift reopened in 1995
One well known incident occurred in 2003 when the safety gear operated holding the lift car failed in mid carriage with the passengers needing to be the rescued.
At the end of the working day a bell is sounded at the lower station to advise intending passengers that the last lift is about to leave.
This isn’t the only way to get to the beach however. You can take a leisurely stroll down through the woods, although it is quite steep. In which case if you feel that heatstroke and the efforts of swimming have taken their toll, then take the Railway back up!
There are 3 Links:
Friends of Babbacombe Cliff Railway
Torbay Council Reference
Another Friends of Babbacombe Cliff Railway!
Babbacombe Cliff Railway is owned, operated and managed by:
Torbay Council – Cultural Services Department.
Contact for all Babbacombe Cliff Railway enquiries should be directed to:
Torbay Council, Cultural Services,
Tor Hill House,
Union Street,
Torquay.
TQ2 5QW
Telephone: 01803-207960
or
Babbacombe Cliff Railway Station Manager Telephone: 01803-328750
The Cliff Railway opening times are 9.30a.m. to 5.00p.m.
Last up journey is signaled by the ringing of ‘Talca’ an old ships bell 30 and 15 minutes before the railway closes
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