8 incredible pictures showing Bristol’s disused underground railway
It’s hard to imagine the Clifton Rocks Railway even existed. The only evidence to the untrained eye is the disused stone entrance to the lower station of the underground funicular railway - and that’s about it.
So these pictures, which bring to life the railway which operated from 1893 to 1934, may stir your interest. The railway system was ahead of its time on opening and operated inside widest tunnel of its kind in the world. The journey took just 40 seconds.
The cars moved up and down the railway using a water-balance method, and on the opening day they attracted 6,220 passengers. However, numbers dwindled over time and after the opening of Hotwells railway station the operation closed in 1934.
It was brought back to life in the Second World War when part of the tunnel was used for air raid shelters and the BBC opened a transmission base. And four years ago, Bristol Observatory owner Ian Johnson bought the site with plans to open a museum.
To find out more about the railway’s history, visit The Clifton Rocks Railway Trust website here.
1. Colourised photograph from early 1900s
The lower station was constructed inside the rock with a beautiful facade created at its front. The six windows at mid-level provided a perfect view of the river with a timber canopy above them provided shade. In this street scene you can see public ices being sold outside.
2. Tram stop
The tram to Brislington via Hotwells stops outside the lower station with a small groups of girls stood outside. It looks like the tram was the number 9, which also stopped at Tramways Centre at St Augustine’s Parade and Temple Meads
3. Ticket please!
This picture from 1920 shows ticket collectors at the lower station - interestingly, it appears quiet, which might be due to the photographer or a sign of dwindling passenger numbers 14 years before closure.
4. Horse-drawn appearance
The front of the cars resembled the appearance of horse-drawn tramcars - behind them was the passenger section. This picture also reveals the brick lined tunnel, which was the widest of its kind in the world when it opened