Uploaded June 2014 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
The Lynton and Lynmouth funicular cliff railway joins the town of Lynmouth at the foot of the cliff with Lynton at the top. The ride provides spectacular views of the Exmoor National Park and the North Devon coastline.
When each car is 'docked' with full water tanks (700 gallons) at both stations the cars are in balance (weighing the same) and are ready for loading. As passengers board, the variations are accommodated for by the brakes which clamp the cars to the rails. Each car's brakes can hold the weight of both cars fully laden. In addition to this the lower car has a water operated locking device which clamps the car to the bottom station.
When loaded, the drivers use pre-arranged bell signals, unlock the safety locking device - then both cars brakes are released. The lower driver then discharges water (if required) to make the top car heavier. Sometimes this is achieved with the weight of passengers alone and no water is used. The top car then rolls down the rails - at the same time pulling the lower car up. Each car has two sets of brakes which are water operated. The 'governor', which in turn, is driven by the main wheels operate one set. These brakes have shoes which press down on the top surface of the rail and actually lift the car off the rail by 2mm, thereby relying on the weight of the car to give maximum friction between the rail and the brake shoes.
The other set of brakes work in reverse to a conventional brake system, such as that found in a motor car. In a car, the driver presses the pedal to apply the brakes. However, on the railway, the brakes are permanently on - operated by a large water accumulator via the drivers hand wheel. This means when the cars are unattended, the brakes clamp it to the rails making it impossible to move under any circumstances. These brakes are a calliper type which clamp each side of the crown of the rail.
The Lynton and Lynmouth funicular cliff railway joins the town of Lynmouth at the foot of the cliff with Lynton at the top. The ride provides spectacular views of the Exmoor National Park and the North Devon coastline.
When each car is 'docked' with full water tanks (700 gallons) at both stations the cars are in balance (weighing the same) and are ready for loading. As passengers board, the variations are accommodated for by the brakes which clamp the cars to the rails. Each car's brakes can hold the weight of both cars fully laden. In addition to this the lower car has a water operated locking device which clamps the car to the bottom station.
When loaded, the drivers use pre-arranged bell signals, unlock the safety locking device - then both cars brakes are released. The lower driver then discharges water (if required) to make the top car heavier. Sometimes this is achieved with the weight of passengers alone and no water is used. The top car then rolls down the rails - at the same time pulling the lower car up. Each car has two sets of brakes which are water operated. The 'governor', which in turn, is driven by the main wheels operate one set. These brakes have shoes which press down on the top surface of the rail and actually lift the car off the rail by 2mm, thereby relying on the weight of the car to give maximum friction between the rail and the brake shoes.
The other set of brakes work in reverse to a conventional brake system, such as that found in a motor car. In a car, the driver presses the pedal to apply the brakes. However, on the railway, the brakes are permanently on - operated by a large water accumulator via the drivers hand wheel. This means when the cars are unattended, the brakes clamp it to the rails making it impossible to move under any circumstances. These brakes are a calliper type which clamp each side of the crown of the rail.
