In the 19th century it was often felt that visitor numbers in seaside resorts with cliffs would be increased if there was an easy way of reaching the beach, avoiding flights of stairs or long zig-zag paths. To address this issue, the first cliff railway was built at Scarborough in 1875. Some 30 more have been built since then, including three at inland locations. Some cliff railways still use water as a power source. The rest use electric motors.
In addition to telling the story of Britain’s cliff railways, author Peter Johnson also describes the authorised but never built cliff railways, vertical lifts and electric stairways that serve or served the same function in a few places, and adds details of what might be called “cliff railway derivatives”, steep-grade, rope-hauled, railways, airport automated people movers, and modern inclined lift installations that might have been built as cliff railways if they had been built a hundred years ago.
To compile this book, the author, who has written books on Welsh and narrow gauge railways for Pen & Sword, has carried out extensive research in government files and old newspapers. Many of the illustrations have not been published previously and a few of them are very rare. Includes approximately 175 colour and 100 black & white illustrations. Hardback. 240 pages.