The World's Tallest Water Powered Railway
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- Опубліковано 30 чер 2022
- In this video we're off to the beautiful county of Devon to discover the story behind the Lynton & Lynmouth Cliff Railway- the world's tallest, steepest water-powered funicular which opened back in 1890...
Be sure to watch until the end to experience a full ride up on the railway!
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The Lynton & Lynmouth Railway's webpage:
www.cliffrailwaylynton.co.uk
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visitlyntonandlynmouth.com/
Thanks again for watching, friends. Stay well and please be sure to stay tuned!
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Music used in this video:
Sunshine Samba (Chris Haugen)
Doh De Oh (Kevin MacLeod)
Breaktime (Kevin MacLeod)
Gold Rush (Kevin MacLeod)
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Very good ! I was there in 2019 as part of my crazy "All the Funiculars" tour de Britain and I thought this was the best of all of them. You gave us more of the history than I did on my web pages. Neither of us went to see the place where the water comes out on the beach. My only regret was not looking for that and getting a picture. Emphasis: it is TOTALLY gravity powered using water, no engines at all. The "greenest" transport I can imagine! Water comes downhill from the river by a pipe to the upper station, and then out to the sea from the lower station. The river water is going to the sea anyway; they just divert some of it through the cars. The people running it were all very kind, and the cafe at the top has a good cream tea too. I'm so happy seeing it again on video since I don't know when I can come back (from the USA where I live).
Wonderful comment Joseph, thank you! Yes, I did want to see the river but didn’t have time unfortunately. Thanks again and stay well
How did you find the funicular at Bridgnorth in Shropshire? (that's my local funicular).
@@AlisonBryen I found it by taking the Severn Valley Railway from Kidderminster (and I recommend that very highly) and then walking a short scenic path... but wait, that's now what you mean! I liked the curved moderne shape of the cars, but otherwise it is not fair to compare a much shorter funicular to the one at Lynton. In upper Bridgnorth I liked also that leaning stone wall of the not quite demolished castle. If it's been like that for 500 years I guess it's won't fall now. Right? Right?
my crazy "All the Funiculars" ??!! How many are there Joseph? What have I been missing?!!
Such an interesting video, full of interesting facts, information and beautiful scenery. Lynton & Lynmouth should be paying you as it’s made me want to go there. !!
Thank you! 😉
I first went to Lynton and Lynmouth in 1963 with my leg in plaster,it was my dad favourite place and now mine and we went on the Cliff Railway it brings back wonderful memories .
That's a beautiful comment Robert. Thanks for sharing and stay well.
I rode on it as a child and returned last year (some 55 - 60 years later) with my granddaughters aged 6 and 8, and I was just as exited as the first time! Only now, I can appreciate the skill and effort put into it's construction.
That’s a beautiful comment Henry, thank you so much for sharing.
I"ve never heard of a water powered Funicular! You are correct. Ingenious and simple!
Thanks Jack 😉
I live in South Africa but I've been so many times in England, westminster abbey, saint Paul cathedral, royal Albert hall, Victoria hall in Hanley, Bridgewater hall in Manchester, Oxford, baths, Birmingham, Ripon, etc etc England is by far my most favorite country following by demark, Norway and Sweden and Germany, most of my organ and opera career was taking place in these countries, now I'm just enjoying being a church and theatre organist, love your videos
A lovely comment; thank you so much for your kind words ☺️
I keep noticing that Victorian infrastructure projects often have an aesthetic charm of their own. The combination of clever innovation and visual appeal sometimes makes them tourist magnets in their own right, if they survived the so-called march of progress. I clicked for the "water-powered" and was wowed by the beauty. Thanks.
Wonderful comment Jeff, thank you :-) And yes- couldn't agree more. Thanks again and stay well.
Hello Rob we rode the railway iin 1999. I have always planned to go back. It was both beautiful and and fun.
Nice comment Marty, thanks
This "Yank" rode it in 1966! Looks just the same as I remember it! Fun ride!
What a great comment 😊 Thanks for sharing your memories
My hips and knees are with Oliver Hardy but your charming video still makes me want to be there.
Ha ha 😉 Cheers Paul
Now on my ‘bucket list’
Hope you make it there Rod ;-)
Haven’t been there since I was a child in the 70’s. I remember my parents taking us on the railway though. Thanks for the memories, Rob.
That means a lot to me Jason, thank you- so glad I was able to rekindle them for you ☺️
I was very impressed with the cliff railway when I rode it in 1999. As a Hong Kong native who regularly travelled up the Peak on the tram, the water power was a revelation...
Nice comment, thank you.
Brought back some wonderful memories of family holidays when I was a kid.
Was about 48 years ago and my nan was really nervous but we finally got her on the carriage,as soon as we started moving the woman next to my nan got a small prayer book out and started praying,my poor old nan nearly sh!t a shed! 😂
That’s a brilliant memory Davey 😂 Thanks for sharing!
Wonderful video, thank you!
I realise now my last visit there was 20 years ago. I spent a week in Lynton, with the explicit intention of losing weight, and resolved to walk down the footpath to Lynmouth, and back up to Lynton, three times each day, for the whole week.
I surprised myself by actually achieving this, despite drizzly rain most days.
Frustratingly, I only lost a few pounds, - but it probably did wonders for my general health.
Worse, I was not able to keep my weight down for very long.
But there is so much more to these lovely twin towns than just exercise, and you can always use the charming funicular.
What a lovely comment Marianne, thanks so much for sharing your memories 😊 20 years goes quick doesn’t it… and anyone who can walk back and up down that cliff several days in a row has my utmost respect! Hope you’re keeping well nowadays and stay well 😉
Funny to have this recommended to me. Been there several times, and I was unaware it was the Tallest one
Very interesting! Charming video as always. 😊
Thank you so much asheland :-)
@@Robslondon always Rob! Thanks for the cool videos! 👍
An great topic and location you chose for this episode. I enjoyed watching every minute...
Thanks so much Steve; that's really kind of you to say, and many, many thanks for your support; much appreciated :-) Cheers and stay well.
Fantastic piece of Victorian engineering, well worth a ride.
Well said!
Very beatiful detail the ride at the end. Thank you, it's impossible that I could ever go to these places, so a small taste is very welcome.
It's a pleasure, thanks for watching :-) Stay well.
Welcome to Devon. There is another on the South Devon coast in Babbacombe but not as high as Lynton/Lynemouth,Y
ou had me going for a minute with the title as i was wondering what part of London has a water powered railway.
Ha ha! Great comment, thank you 😊 Yes I was in south Devon some years ago, a beautiful place.
I’m very lucky to be an Engineer Surveyor who has the pleasure of inspecting the Lynton and Lynmouth Cliff railway for its 6 monthly safety check so I get to see the bits that the paying public don’t .
Ah, I’m jealous now! 😉
Thanks for doing this interesting and enjoyable video on the Cliff Railway, funicular. Happy memories of time spent as family, then with my wife Helen on the railway. Funiculars like this are great and this is one of the very best. Good history.
By the way, we took the funicular up and walked down usually accompanied by an ice cream 🙂🙂
It’s a pleasure, many thanks 😊
Fantastic scenery and an informative video. Excellent content again Rob, thanks.
It’s a pleasure John, many thanks for the kind words. Stay well.
Fond memories of traveling on this one whilst on holiday in the area.
Thanks David :-)
OMG, it looks terrifying. I think I’d rather walk. Great video as always. Thanks Rob 🙏
😄 Yes, not good if you don’t like heights! Thanks for watching
Wife and I spent our honeymoon in Lynton...the bridal suite of the hotel was right by the top station so every morning we'd be woken up a""ding-ding" and a whoosh of the loading water! Still enjoyed riding the railway....as well!,,
Ha ha! ;-)
If I ever visit England, this will be In my travel plans.
Hope you make it here 🙂
Great video. I visit here regularly and I didn’t know the history of this railway. Thank you
It's a pleasure Mark, thanks for your kind words; much appreciated. Stay well.
great video. We walked up then took railway down. It is a wonderful pleace to visit.
Many thanks for the lovely comment Richard 🙂
That's one part of the world I have yet to see and intend on visiting next Spring. Devon is one of my ancestral homes and it looks like a lovely spot on the Southern Coast. I also would like to see Agatha Christie's home and Burgh Island where 'Evil under the Sun' was filmed. I never knew about the funicular and will definitely add this stop to my journey. Thank you.
Devon is simply beautiful. Nice people too, hope you make it there soon!
I love that pigeon on the testscreen. 😀
Ha ha! Cheers Nick! 😉
Thumbs up Rob.ps.Westword Ho! is the only place name with an exclamation mark.
Very enjoyable vid.
Thanks.
Cheers Mike! And yep, an interesting fact for sure ;-)
Aberystwyth fernicular is one of my favourites.
Lovely video. Devon is one of the most beatiful places on earth. Porlock Hill, which leads to Lynton and Lynmouth, is an astonishing bit of road - and not for the faint hearted, either. Thank you for sharing!
Cheers Brian- and yes, I know what you mean! 😉 Thanks and stay well
I remember, as a child, a family holiday in my dad's Standard 8. Two adults, two kids, the luggage, 796cc engine, facing Porlock Hill. We arrived at the top, having passed many cars at the side of the road, and the crowd just CHEERED!
Watched a Tom Scott video earlier about private cable cars in Wellington NZ and this gem of a film was suggested to me. Another great video about a fascinating place Rob. 👍
Brilliant! 😉 Cheers Raymonda
Holy cannoli! I just looked up funiculars after seeing someone's post of a photo of the Lynton/Linmouth view from a car a couple of weeks ago (must be the algorithm)! Cool - as always, Robbo
😄
Well that's a new piece of information ... That they transported cars etc...
Thanks
No problem; thanks for watching ;-)
I went here over the summer holidays and it was really cool
😊
The technology of using falling water to lift people up a hill has always fascinated me. It's so counter-intuitive, but illustrates how clever we can be.
Nice comment, thank you.
Hi Rob, Rode on the railway as a young child when on holiday with my folks. A long time ago!! It looks like it has not changed at all apart from some fresh paint😃. Nice memories, thanks as always for a great vid. And no.. even as an energetic youngster I never fancied the walk up!! Keep safe. C.
Ha ha! Lovely comment, thanks very much Clive and stay well 😉
Something's changed all right. A ride used to cost 2d. Now it's £3.30. All that for a water-powered elevator built over a century ago - and they have cafes and whatnot as well, which I likewise expect aren't cheap. Must be a gang of pirates took over the place.
Very informative and very nicely narrated.
Really appreciate that Behram, many thanks.
Well this is fantastic. Thank you.
It’s a pleasure! Thanks so much for the kind words 😊
Fab video thanks! Been to Lynmouth but not to Lynton. Wish we'd ventured up the railway now! Fantastic views
Thanks so much! You have to go back now to make sure you’ve seen both places! 😂 Cheers and stay well 😉
North Devon really is one of my favourite UK holiday destinations. Beautiful scenery, good weather, and lovely sandy beaches.
Well said 😉
First class Rob, enjoyed every moment of this most informative and picturesque video.
Cheers! 😉
Thanks Robslondon
Thanks Scotty
Fantastic video, I love visiting this railway. The only attraction you missed was the amazing fish and chip shop just down the road. Have you visited the remains of the quarry rope railway that can be seen here, 51.10109° N, 3.39648° W? I have a book on it if interested.
Many thanks Andrew! Was that the Esplanade Fish Bar? It looked great but I was out for diner that evening so had to save myself 😂 I will have a look at the quarry, thanks
@@Robslondon Yes, I think it is the Esplanade Fish Bar. Top Tip... Pick up a stab sauce at a supermarket or local shop before buying your chips.
The upper station is walking distance to the valley of rocks. I have walked up as well as using the railway. Lynmouth is the end of the Devon Coast to Coast long distance walk and the Two Moors Way.
What an absolutely brilliant video. I knew nothing about the topic before I pressed the button - and I enjoyed every second of it. Many, many thanks. :-)
It’s a pleasure as always Darrien 😊 Thanks for your support and stay well
Another great content. Loved it too. Thank you Robert.👍👍👍❤️❤️❤️
Thanks so much Sharon ☺️ Stay well
Amazing. I would love to go on this trip. Greetings from Canada.
Thanks so much for watching Cheryl. Always a pleasure to have Canadian viewers here 🙂Stay well.
That is just brillant! They went green long befor it was a thing.
Thanks! 🙂
That was a really fun(icular) video! I'll get me coat.
😂
Just had to watch this as I was taken on this funicular over 60 years ago! And of course it's hardly changed. In fact the biggest change is that over 60 years later, we no longer need to dive up those steep hills in reverse, as was once d'rigiour. 🤭 We were traveling there in a VW beetle back then and it was certainly necessary to use reverse often! 🤭
😂 Wonderful comment John, thanks!
Excellent. Been there a few times. Lovely part of Devon. 😎😊
Thank you 😊
Danke!
☺️
Thank you so much Marcomanseckisax! I've just seen your very kind donation; much appreciated my friend 🙂
Lovely vid as always, thanks Rob. Excellent narration and what gorgeous scenery :)
Thank you so much amper sand, that means a lot to me. Stay well my friend 😊
Extremely well made videos and background story. I’m surprised you didn’t mention the OLDEST water powered funicular railway in beautiful Saltburn-On-Sea north East Yorkshire? Also stunning pier at the bottom.
Thank you so much Mel :-) There's only so many Funiculars I can cover in one video; I'll save the Saltburn-on-Sea one for another nice break! Cheers and stay well.
Fascinating! Thank you
Thank you Peta, much appreciated 🙂
Hi Rob, me and the missus visited there last year. It's a beautiful place to visit. We rode the railway a couple of times and partook in the very lovely tea n scones in the cafe at the top. I can highly recommend a visit whilst you're up top.
Cheers Peter 😉🫖
@@Robslondon Word of warning though, the scones are quite large. We ordered one each, only to realise that we could have got one between us. But they are extremely good.
Ive just discovered you're channel. I think you are right up there with Tim Travel and Jay Forman in terms of interesting but obscure info. Very well done.
That means so much to me; thank you. It's kind and wonderful words like yours which keep me making videos! Much appreciated. Thanks again and stay well my friend.
Very pretty stuff. Thank you.
Thank you Ian 🙂
I never knew this existed. Our local one is in Bridgnorth. I want to go their now.
Hope you make it there soon ;-)
Long awaited! Joy!
😊 Thanks! Enjoy!
@@Robslondon I did indeed. I especially enjoyed the ride up. I follow a few channels that show perspectives as the videographer rides whatever "transit" vehicle, but no voice over narration or necessarily other content. So, thank you for the trip up the hill as well as the information and history of the area.
@@ZeroAnalogy It’s a pleasure my friend. Than, you so much for all your support.
A really interesting and fascinating video, thanks for such a great video.
It's a pleasure Diane, thank you so much for watching and also too for the kind words; much appreciated 🙂
We stayed there last year. It really is a life saver. It's not too pricey and saves a torturous slog up the cliff path every day.
Agreed! I consider myself to have relatively healthy legs, but I wouldn't fancy climbing that path on a regular basis!
Now thats very interesting info there!! Thank you!
Thanks Tim!
We went to that area on our honeymoon, and riding the funicular was one of the things we did while there.
Lovely comment Christopher, thanks 😊
Bedankt
heel erg bedankt ☺
Hi my family and I enjoyed the railway in 1978. Ingenious water ballast mechanism. Stayed in Mort Hoe/point, deadly for ships, Lee Bay. The Valley of the Rocks. Good times thanku. Liverpool. ps. Cars towing caravans are warned not to attempt certain road otherwise get stuck.
Lovely comment Irene thank you; enjoyed reading your memories 🙂I didn't know towing caravans was advised against; makes sense though! Thanks again and stay well.
Thanks!
😉
Ridden this railway many times and walked the walk both ways a few times , But i have to say the walk going up is not nearly as hard as walking up Clovelly .. Thanks for the information about the other stops /halts on there .
It's a pleasure Ernest, thanks so much for watching. Didn't make it to Clovelly on this trip, but I've heard it is a punishing walk! Stay well and thanks again.
I and my family have been going to Lynmouth and Lynton for years and the best thing about it is that it hasn't changed. None of that kiss me quick hats or amusement arcade's.
We usually go up on the cliff railway and walk down.
I would recommend people to visit this wonderful place
Thank you Sharyn; couldn't agree more :-) Thanks and stay well.
Great video. Other stunning attractions there include the Valley of the Rocks with its incredibly high perpendicular cliffs and a (frankly terrifying) narrow cliff top path for the brave, or foolish. Also worth a visit is the Lynton to Barnstaple narrow gauge steam railway. This company has purchased nearly all the necessary land to rebuild what is one of the most spectacular lines in the UK. Only a few miles are open so far, but progress is being made and the trains are delightful and allow views of this beautiful part of Britain that you just don't get to see if you only use the roads.
Thank you! Yes, I really wanted to experience the Lynton to Barnstaple railway but sadly had no time- caught a glimpse of it though and hope to return. Cheers and stay well.
What a first class documentary on such an amazing method of transport. My wife and I visited it in 2009 and it was a highlight of holiday away from New Zealand.
Thank you so much Stuart 🙂Truly appreciate your kind words- and very happy to hear that you were able to visit from such a long way away! Thanks again and stay well my friend.
Brilliant video well done and making such a louding video. Please could you make more videos like this outside London Maybe like my Hometown Hampshire I used to live in Portsmouth. Please and thank you
Thanks so much Mark, I do hope to in the future so please stay tuned! Portsmouth is a great historic place
Elegant engineering: simple but efficient and non-polluting!
Thanks for the great little presentation Rob. 🙃
Cheers Bryan 😉
Great video, beautifully shot. Thanks again Rob.
Much appreciated Brian, thank you 😊
Rob, you're a national treasure and that's a fact. I had never even heard of the cliff railway, so this was not only enjoyable in its landscape beauty but also educational.
My word, I never dreamt I’d be referred to as that! Thank you so much, that means a great deal to me ☺️
Oh thank you for reminding me of a way too short visit to Lynmouth-Lynton in 1999. You've made me want to go back and spend a little more time there. I remember that I did walk up the winding path next to the railway, and it didn't feel that difficult... but I was younger then :-)
Ha ha 😉 Thanks Helene! Lovely comment. Stay well.
@@Robslondon I just booked a trip. Thanks to you.
Super. 💙 T.E.N.
☺️
There is a water powered funicular railway at Saltburn North Yorkshire just like this but links to Yorkshire only remaining pier
I do like these railways. Done in Scarborough, the one in Saltburn by The Sea (water powered but smaller than this) was not running when we went. We did a really long and steep one in Switzerland too.
Also walking up that hill may be tiring but preference to walking down that would really do my knees.
Thanks Dave- yes I think the one in Switzerland (if that's the one you mean) is the tallest in the world?
@@Robslondon not 100%. I have just been trying to find it. I know we travelled from the village of Kandersteg to the top of Schilthorn. We travelled by various trains in the early part of the trip and the last legs were by cable car. There was one part between a railway station and the cable car that was by funicular railway that was long and steep but whether the longest or tallest I am not sure.
now that is genius "power" right there.
😀
Lovely video Rob!
Thanks Nigel!
Thanks Rob.
Many happy memories of Devon holidays as a kid. So much to do there. I must revisit next time I’m home.
Many thanks Doug; hope you make it there soon ;-)
Fabulous video. We rode this wonderful railway yesterday (6-9-23) and as it was my first time on the railway and in Lynmouth, I was delighted to come across your very informative video. May I add your excellent description of the history and how it works part of your video to my home video I took with my GoPro please? I am planning to upload this video to my Plex library making it viewable to family and close friends. Thank you in anticipation. Paul.
Thank you so much Paul- and of course; please feel free to use it! Stay well.
@Robslondon Thank you Rob. All the best. 🤝🏻
Cheers Paul @@npr1300A8
Great video of a cool place.
Thanks Alan 🙂
Great video as always! I need to put this on my list to visit the next time we are in the UK.
Thank you Stephanie 😊 Hope you get to see it when you’re over
great video as always Rob, stunning views!
Thank you so much ☺️ Yes, it’s a very special place.
What a fabulous film about that railway. I have never been. Stunning views. So good that it is almost the exact railway that was built all those years ago with the bridges still there too. Did you know the people on the bridge waving, that was really well timed as the train passed underneath. I can see why it got the name little Switzerland.
Hope you and family are all well Rob, until next time stay safe and all the best.
Lovely comment, cheers John! Yes, we're all good thanks hope you are too? There always seemed to be folk waving along the railway! It's a very laid back, friendly place :-) Cheers my friend and stay well.
Rob, you have pushed another trip to Devon up on my 'places to do' list with this video. Thanks!
Thanks Paul- glad to be of service!
Fascinating - I would love a ride or two on this. Beautiful part of the country. Many thanks. Cheers
It's a pleasure, thank you for watching :-) Stay well.
Perfect video. I've never been there, but just watching gave me memories of childhood days out to beautiful little seaside villages. Thanks, Rob!
It's a pleasure Dom, thank you so much for the kind words; much appreciated :-) Stay well.
The video is so cool I love how the people wanted more tourists but didn’t want paddle steamers and the railway I need to visit that
Thanks 😉
I love the cliff railway in Lynmouth. Ive been on it many times. The first time was when I was 10. I remember it well. North Devon is my favourite place and in particularly Lynton & Lynmouth.
Lovely comment, thanks Amanda :-) Stay well.
This is a wonderful bit of history! Thanks for the ride up as well :)
Thanks so much Kate; it's a pleasure! Stay well :-)
I have some holiday snaps from many years ago when we visited the twin villages and rode on the cliff railway. Your video brought it all back and it is even better than I remembered. Thanks Rob, another very interesting 13 minutes. The Victorians just got on with things, didn't they. Imagine the level of interference today.
It's a pleasure! Thanks for watching.
I love your channel ❤️
Thank you so much, that means a lot to me 😊 Stay well.