Cliff lift is back on track as tramcars make happy return
AFTER A five-week delay, Scarborough’s oldest cliff lift company is operational again as its tramcars have returned to the town.
The two 1970s carriages left the Central Tramway in January for refurbishment at Rotherham specialists Wheelsets UK, and their departure was the first time the tracks have been empty since the funicular railway opened in 1881.
Previously maintenance was carried out on-site by the Tramway’s own engineers. They were due to return in March, but setbacks meant they were instead delivered yesterday. Foreshore Road was closed from 6am between the Spa Bridge roundabout and Eastborough to allow a 50-tonne crane to lift the carriages back on to the rails ahead of the summer tourist season.
Project leader Martin Hudson from Wheelsets UK said: “There’s been a four or five week delay from the initial schedule due to issues with the fabrication and galvanising of the new chassis but we’re confident that the upgrade will be well worth the wait.
“This has been a very challenging project with many hidden surprises along the way, along with the inevitable daily delays and difficulties due to current issues with the supply of equipment and services.
“At Wheelsets UK we’ve done our best to meet the company’s targets despite some setbacks, working weekends and long hours at the workshop. We are confident the owners and public will be impressed and even safer by the end result.”
The lift to and from South Bay has been shut since the start of the year for the biggest overhaul in 50 years. Some of the tramway’s infrastructure dates back to the early 20th century, when the system was first converted from steam to electric,