Discover the story of Saltburn Cliff Tramway, one of the town’s most treasured attractions. From its Victorian beginnings to major modern refurbishments, this timeline highlights the key moments that have shaped the tramway visitors know today.
1884: A Victorian landmark opens
• The tramway opened to the public on 28 June 1884.
• Standing 120 feet high, with a track length of 207 feet, it was built to carry visitors between the town and the pier area.
• Its steep 1 in 4 incline made it an impressive achievement of Victorian engineering.
• Built by Tangyes Engineering Company, it remains the oldest operating water-balanced cliff funicular in Great Britain and the second oldest in the world.
1920s: Early upgrades
• In 1921/22, the track gauge was changed from 1.143 metres to 1.283 metres.
• In 1924, the original gas engine was replaced with a 20-horsepower electric pump.
1950s to 1990s: Keeping the tramway moving
• In 1955, the carriage bodies were replaced, although the stained-glass windows were not included at this stage.
• In 1979, the wheels and undercarriages were replaced, and the railway sleepers were renewed.
• In 1986, the carriage bodies were realigned to the chassis to improve docking.
• In 1987, an emergency retard and safety stop function were fitted.
• In 1989/90, the carriage overlooking Marske was rebuilt during the winter after an accident while the carriages were being lowered for the closed season.
• In 1990, the bottom tank was emptied, and the foot valve and pump were reconditioned.
• In 1991, stained-glass windows designed by Saltburn artist Chloe Buck were reinstated. These still feature in the carriages today.
• During the 1990s, further safety and mechanical improvements included an interlock system, rewiring, a replacement sheave/winding wheel, and a hydraulic brake system was installed by Skelton Engineering.
2000s: Essential maintenance and improvements
• In 2002, the tramway pump motor was rewound by Dowling & Mills in Middlesbrough.
• In 2003, the carriage ropes were replaced.
• In 2005, new brake blocks were fitted, and feature lighting was added to the track.
• In 2007, a new water pipeline was installed.
• In 2009, the underside plates of the carriage overlooking Saltburn were removed and refurbished.
2010 to 2015: Restoration and safety works
• In 2010/11, £30,000 of restoration work was carried out, including a new slow-down system, hydraulic buffers, a new gate at the top station, specialist carriage refurbishment, and an intercom system.
• In 2012, the top tank roof was replaced, and maintenance was carried out on the pump switch.
• In 2013, a new armoured cable was fitted for the up-track bell.
• In 2014, the lower timber sections of the bottom station were restored, the water lever at the top station was rebuilt, and a new rest system was introduced.
• In 2015, the bottom station docking area was restored.
2017 to 2022: Major refurbishment and reopening
• In 2017/18, the tramway closed for major refurbishment, with more than £400,000 invested.
• Work included new railway sleepers and rails, scotch timbers, lifelines, an escape route, carriage refurbishments, a band brake, safer access to the winding chamber, a water pipe, and a new fence at the top station.
• The tramway reopened in August 2018.
• It remained closed for the 2020 and 2021 seasons because of COVID-19 lockdown restrictions.
• The tramway reopened to visitors in 2022.
2024: Fire damage and recovery
• In 2024, a fire broke out in the lower station pump room, causing extensive damage and closing the tramway for nine months.
• The control panel was destroyed and replaced with a bespoke high-specification system.
• A new security gate was installed in the winding chamber, helping prevent tram movement while maintenance is carried out.
2026: Major investment and new carriages
• In January 2026, the tramway closed for major investment works.
• Both carriages were replaced as part of the project.
• The new carriages were handcrafted by Readman Joinery in Middlesbrough and built on the restored steel undercarriages.
• The stained-glass windows, originally designed by Saltburn artist Chloe Buck in 1991, were refurbished and reset for the new, deeper window frames by Brocksdowns in Loftus.
• The water tanks in each carriage were extended by 10% to increase capacity while keeping the tramway’s traditional water-balanced system.
• The original top-station water-fill valve was removed, repaired and restored.
• The traditional ship’s wheel used to operate the band brake was also fully restored, including repairs to its spindles and rivets.
• New hydraulic buffers and a new brake system were installed as part of the works.
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