Scarborough's historic Miniature Railway and Medieval Castle built in 1150

The Railway – This historic miniature railway in Yorkshire is celebrating its 84^th year of operation.

Nelson (1931)

The North Bay Railway has been carrying passengers on a 7/8 mile journey (1.4 km) since 1931. The track runs along the seafront from Peasholm Park to Scalby Mills station on the coast of North Yorkshire. 

I have fond memories of travelling on it as a child and when I revisited Scarborough a couple of weeks ago, my (adult) son and I went for a ride.

The locomotives – Neptune, Triton and Poseidon have a 4.6.2 wheel arrangement while Robin Hood (Number 570) has a 4-6-4T configuration.

Robin Hood (570)

All four engines were built by Hudswell Clarke of Leeds between 1931 and 1933. The track has a gauge of 20" (508 mm).

Nelson on the turntable for the return journey

When travelling south from Scalby, the ruins of Scarborough’s old castle keep and curtain wall can be seen on the headland.

Built in 1150 - Scarborough Castle stands on the headland

Scarborough Castle – Whilst the present stone fortifications date back to the 1150s, archaeological evidence shows that the Scarborough headland has been defended from as early as 900-500 BC (late Bronze Age/early Iron Age).
“Among finds dating back about 3,000 years, a Bronze Age sword, thought to have been a ritual offering, is on display in the castle exhibition.”
* http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scarborough_Castle
For more railway info and picture go to : www.nbr.org.uk/

Funicular railways, ascensors, cable cars - worth a visit

An invention of the late 1800s, some original funicular railways around the world are still operating.
The ascensor (funicular) Artilleria in Valaraiso, Chile was built in 1893 and still runs every few minutes from the busy Port area to the houses and Maritime Museum at the top of the hill.
I rode it last year.
In Wellington New Zealand people are building private funiculars to transport themselves to their houses built on the inaccessible steep sides of hills overlooking the bay.

The funicular railways still operating in Scarborough, Yorkshire, attract locals and tourist and for me they are a reminder of childhood holidays at the seaside town.

If you would like to read more go to my new site I'm building about funiculars.
Pic: Ascensor Artilleria in Chile
Pic: Scarborough, UK, funicular