Shipley Glen Tramway

The Shipley Glen Tramway is a historic funicular tramway located in the wooded Shipley Glen near the village of Saltaire in the English county of West Yorkshire.

Bottom tramway depot
The top entrance to the tramway
Tram and tracks
The cars during rebuilding

The lower station of the funicular is some 660 feet (200 m) 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.[1]

Number of cars 2
Number of stops 2 (at terminals)
Configuration Double track
Track length 440 yards (400 m)
Maximum gradient 1 in 7 (14.29%)
Track gauge 20 in (508 mm)
Maximum speed 7.5 miles per hour (12.1 km/h)

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.[1]

In 2002, operation of the line was taken over by a charitable trust under a lease from Bradford City 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.[1]

See also

References
  1. Nostalgic trip down the line. The Yorkshire Dalesman. Skipton, North Yorkshire: Country Publications Ltd. November 2011. pp. 66–69.

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