Babbacombe Cliff Railway marks 100 years since first journey in 1926

This new year sees a major milestone in the development of one of Torbay’s most iconic and oldest attractions.

The Babbacombe Cliff Railway opened on April 1, 1926 when the mayor of Torquay, Alderman John Taylor, cut the ribbon and, with many other distinguished local guests, boarded the carriage and travelled to the lower station at Oddicombe Beach
on the first of the many thousands of up and down trips which have followed over the last century.

During the late 19th century and in the early years of the 20th century many such cliff railways were built around Britain’s coast but Torquay was a late starter.

First proposed in the 1880s, the plan for a cliff railway (which would have been paid for by Sir George Newnes, a wealthy London publisher) was rejected by the Local Board of St Marychurch (Torbay Council’s predecessor at the time) as many felt that it would destroy the unspoiled charm of the area and bring too many less desirable visitors to the town.

Over the following years the debate continued, with fears being raised about cost, viability, who would run it, the design (a vertical lift was proposed at one time) and even the question of where the Top Station should be (Petitor or Babbacombe
Downs).

In 1913 agreement was finally reached and the objections of Torquay’s “villa owners” were addressed, but the outbreak of war in 1914 put the plan firmly on to the back burner.

Ten more years passed before the long-held vision became a reality. Torquay Corporation agreed to invest more than £18,000 of ratepayers’ money by building the railway and Torquay Tramways Company agreed to run it.

Fears about the railway’s viability soon vanished – 400,000 travellers used the cliff railway in its first year.

But further challenges lay ahead. The Tramways company closed in 1934, handing their operation over to the buses, and after a year of uncertainty and debate the cliff railway was taken over by Torquay Council.

In 1941 the beach was closed as part of Britain’s wartime defence efforts. The railway was closed and the road bridge alongside the Lower station demolished.

When peace returned in 1945 the possible reopening of the railway was given low priority.

Indeed, years of neglect meant that the cost of rebuilding and reopening was assessed at an eye watering £60,000 and the possibility of closure was a real one.

Happily, money was found to undertake a reduced and cheaper scheme and the railway was able to resume operations after a ten-year break in June, 1951.

In the early years of this century the need for further expensive repairs brought fres calls for closure. After 70 years in charge the Council faced significant bills which they felt could not be justified.

Closure loomed but fortunately yet again help was at hand in the shape of a newly formed group of local residents and businesses – the Friends of Babbacombe Cliff Railway.

The Council agreed to allocate funds from the sale of St Marychurch Town Hall to the refurbishment of the railway. The railway is now run for the benefit of local residents and visitors as a not-for-profit Charitable Incorporated Organisation operating under a lease granted by Torbay Council, with a dedicated and loyal staff and five unpaid Trustees.

The railway’s winter closure and maintenance schedule has now commenced, with the installation of new control panels and a totally new drive system and controls, all of it designed to ensure the continuing successful operation of Torquay’s unique Cliff
Railway as it enters its second century.

The actual centenary will be marked on April 1 by a special celebration with invited guests, including the great grandson of John Taylor who opened the railway back in 1926. To further mark the event, all travel on the railway on the day will be free. Further events will follow during the summer.

The team at the railway are now putting together a special collection of memories for display at their Visitor Centre and at the special exhibition being staged this year with Torquay Museum.

Old photos, letters, diaries, postcards or other souvenirs are all welcome. The team would love to hear from anyone with special memories of family connections with the railway, stories of working on the railway as a teen, or special events. Some couples even celebrated their wedding on the railway.

Do get in touch if you have anything that you’d like to share. Contact Babbacombe Cliff Railway on 01803 328750 or by email on
topstation@babbacombecliffrailway.co.uk