Scarborough was the historic birth place of cliff railways in this country. Three passenger carrying funicular railways were built along this unique stretch of Yorkshire coastline before anywhere else in the UK. Built in 1881, just 14 years after the completion of the Grand Hotel (in 1867), the Central Tramway cliff railway has a rich history closely linked to the town. We are proud to maintain and celebrate this history with regular talks, tours, school visits and open days. One of the oldest cliff railways still running in the UK, the Central Tramway has the distinction of being the oldest cliff tramway company in the country as the original corporation still operates the business today.