Aberystwyth. The view from the top .....

This funicular railway was opened in 1896, and was operated by a water balance system.

The two carriages are joined by a cable system that passes over a pulley at the top of the hill. Water was added to a tank in the carriage at the top of the hill, until its weight was enough to pull the carriage at the bottom of the hill up the tracks.

Water was let out of the carriage at the bottom of the hill to create this imbalance. The carriages then travelled the length of the hill.

Once both carriages were at their stations, water was let out of the bottom carriage and added to the top one, and the system reversed. Drivers in the carriages controlled the speed of travel by applying brakes as needed.

In 1921 the railway was converted to electric motive power, and a nearly unique system was lost.

The Lynton and Lynmouth Cliff Railway still operates on water power, very similar to the system I've tried to describe. If ever you're in either neck of the woods, they're well worth a visit, and a ride!!

The view from the top of Constitution Hill, Aberystwyth .....