Shipley Glen Tramway
{{Short description|Tramway in West Yorkshire, England}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2023}}
{{Use British English|date=October 2013}}
File:Shipley Glen Tramway entrance.jpg
File:Shipley Glen Tramway tram.jpg
File:Shipley Glen Tramway (25th September 2010).jpg
The Shipley Glen Tramway is a preserved cable funicular tramway located in the wooded area of Shipley Glen near the town of Baildon and the village of Saltaire, West Yorkshire, England.
The lower station of the funicular is some {{convert|200|m|order=flip}} by foot from Saltaire railway station, and a similar distance from the historic Salts Mill, now occupied by shops and restaurants as well as the David Hockney gallery.
Operation
The line is operated by volunteer staff on behalf of a charitable trust, Shipley Glen Tramway Preservation Co Ltd.{{cite magazine| title = Nostalgic trip down the line | magazine = The Yorkshire Dalesman | publisher = Country Publications Ltd | location = Skipton, North Yorkshire | date = November 2011 | pages = 66–69}}
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| Number of cars
|2 |
| Number of stops
|2 (at terminals) |
| Configuration |
| Track length
|{{convert|440|yds}} |
| Maximum gradient
|1 in 7 (14.29%) |
| Track gauge
|{{RailGauge|20in|lk=on}} |
| Maximum speed
|{{convert|7.5|mph}} |
History
The line was opened on 18 May 1895 by Sam Wilson, a local publican, showman and entrepreneur. It was intended to ease access to a number of other, now long closed, attractions at Shipley Glen, including a wooden toboggan ride and a massive fairground. As built, the line was powered by a gas engine. Since 1920 the line has been electrically operated.
In 2002, operation of the line was taken over by a charitable trust under a lease from Bradford Council. The tramway was temporarily closed in 2010, to bring it up to modern safety standards. This involved fitting the two tramcars with new chassis, wheels and decks, and improving braking systems on both cars and haulage drum. The line reopened in 2011.
See also
References
{{reflist}}
External links
{{Commons category|Shipley Glen Tramway}}
- [http://www.shipleyglentramway.co.uk/ Shipley Glen Tramway web site]
- [http://www.hows.org.uk/personal/rail/ship.htm Hows.org.uk: Shipley Glen Cable Tramway: images and information.]
- [http://www.bronte-country.com/shipley-glen-tramway.html Bronte-country.com: The Shipley Glen Tramway, with link to images.]
- [https://archive.today/20130210120405/http://www.yorkshire-escapes.com/yorkshire/attractions/shipley-glen-tramway/ Yorkshire Escapes: Shipley Glen Tramway, story and images.]
- [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=51atNmZIFRU YouTube: Shipley Glen Tramway filmed in 1989; 7.5 mins.]
- [http://www.visitbradford.com/thedms.asp?dms=13&venue=1582570 Visitbradford.com: Shipley Glen Cable Tramway, details including directions to site.]
- [http://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/search/4057229.On_track_for_a_great_day_out/ Telegraph & Argus: On track for a great day out, by Emma Clayton, 19 January 2009] Written before tramway closed down for brakes repair.
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{{Bradford}}
{{Railway stations in the City of Bradford}}
Category:Funicular railways in the United Kingdom
Category:Tourist attractions in the City of Bradford