Scarborough Victorian cliff railway refurbishment completed

Image source, Central Tramway Company Image caption,

The Central Tramway opened in 1881 to improve access between Scarborough town centre and the beach

A 140-year-old funicular railway at a seaside resort is reopening after essential engineering works.

The Victorian Tramway, which climbs the steep cliff from Scarborough South Bay seafront closed for work in January.

Owner Amy Bartle said the tramway was “an important part of Scarborough’s landscape” and would be taking passengers again from Friday.

The cliff lift was installed in 1881 to link the resort’s Foreshore with St Nicholas Gardens.

Image source, Central Tramway Company Image caption,

The carriages were lifted from the tracks to be taken to a workshop in Rotherham

Ms Bartle, who is the fourth generation of the family to run the business, said it cost £200,000 and took four months to remove, refurbish and then reinstall two chassis and carriages.

The railway also had new state-of-the art wiring and software, new emergency brakes and a modern computer drive for improved safety and efficiency, she said.

Image source, Central Tramway Company Image caption,

The project took 12 months to design and plan before the carriages and chassis could be removed with a 50-tonne crane

“Central Tramway is part of Scarborough’s South Bay landscape, we know how important it is for both locals and visitors,” she said.

“We see ourselves as custodians of this historic amenity and attraction and we hope this work will guarantee the safe running of the tramway for many more years to come.”

General manager Helen Galvin said: “We are delighted to have the carriages back in Scarborough and back in operation, looking like new.

“We can’t wait to welcome passengers back.”

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