Scan of a slide taken in October 1992; The Great Orme Tramway is Great Britain's only remaining cable operated street tramway and one of few surviving in the world. This picture was taken at Victoria Station, the terminus of the line in Llandudno. From here the line runs to the summit of the Great Orme headland, with a change of trams at Half Way Station.
Both sections of the line work on the funicular principle, where the cars are permanently fixed to cables which control and stop the cars. As one car is ascending, the other is descending, so gravity is assisting the electric motors in the winch house located between the two sections of line.
The line's web-site contains a more comprehensive description:
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www.greatormetramway.co.uk/en/how-it-works
Tags: Llandudno Great Orme Tramway Victoria Station
Scan of a slide taken in October 1992; Typical of the lower section of the line which literally runs through the streets. The upper section is much more open and on that section the line has its own right of way.
Tags: Great Orme Tramway Llandudno
Scan of a slide taken in October 1992; Unfortunately the exposure of the original slide or the scanning means the beach and sea is washed out in this snap, but hopefully you get the impression of the climb up the Great Orme with the backdrop of Llandudno and the Little Orme beyond.
Tags: Great Orme Tramway
Scan of a slide taken in October 1992; As previously noted it is necessary to change trams at Half Way Station and this is the only picture I appear to have taken on the upper section. This is somewhat remiss as the open upper section contrasts with the narrow streets typical of the lower section and offers some great views.
Llandudno is one of my favourite places but was a fair journey away when we lived in Croydon. Now we are in Dorset it seems a daunting trip, but I would like to revisit the area at some point.
Tags: Great Orme Tramway