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A unique Victorian water-powered lift dating from 1888, the cliff railway opened on Easter Monday 1890 and continues to operate as a tourist attraction. It was initially conceived as a means of getting goods to and from the harbour at Lynmouth to Lynton, 500ft [150m] above, and inland across Exmoor. The two cars are linked by cables and contain a water tank. When docked at top and bottom they are in balance. When ready to move the driver of the lower car releases some water until it is lighter than the top one, which then descends, pulling the lower one upwards. The two tracks are a little further apart at the centre to allow the cars to pass. As might be expected, the braking systems are duplicated and effective. The operation is eco-friendly – no external power supply is needed; water is obtained from the West Lyn River and after use is discharged, unchanged, into the sea at Lynmouth. The Lynmouth and Lynton Lift Company was formed through an Act of Parliament in 1888 which gave them perpetual right to extract up to 60000 gallons [272770 litres] of water a day.– other lifts of similar type [e.g., Saltburn and Folkestone] pump water back for reuse, thus requiring energy for pumping. Link


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