West Hill Cliff Railway, Funicular railway in Hastings, England.
The West Hill Cliff Railway is a funicular in Hastings that runs 150 meters through a tunnel, connecting George Street on the seafront to the upper sections of the hill. The line follows a consistent slope and rises through the natural sandstone cliff using mechanical or electric power.
The railway started operations in 1891 powered by a gas engine as the original system. A major shift occurred in 1971 when it converted to electric power, simplifying the technology and making maintenance easier.
This railway reflects the Victorian era when such systems were common features of British seaside towns, helping people navigate steep terrain easily. Today visitors use it as a natural gateway to reach the historical sites located on the hilltop.
The journey takes only minutes and handles the steep climb without physical effort required. Access is at ground level on the seafront near George Street, making boarding and exiting straightforward.
The railway cuts through natural sandstone cliffs in a tunnel with rails maintaining a constant 33 degree slope throughout. This steep gradient made it a challenging engineering solution for its era.
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