European Railroad Discussion > A tourist rides the Great Orme Tramway

The Great Orme Tramway goes from Llandudno, Wales to the top of the Great Orme. Despite being called a tramway and the cars having what looks like trolley poles, it is actually a two-segment funicular. The 'trolley' poles were once used for communication. It is popular. I had to wait an hour to board on a beautiful if breezy day.

1. Car #5 arrives at the Victoria Station at the bottom of the lower funicular. At this lower end there is some street running and streetside running.

2. Near the top of the upper funicular segment car #6 begins its descent.

3. A little later, car #6 is returning to the top of the upper segment.

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4. Another view a few seconds later.

5. As a funicular, there is always one car going down while the other is coming up and they meet in the middle. This is the upper segment with car #7 going down and car #6 coming up.

6. And now car #6 is nearing the top with car #7 in the distance. The building in the upper, right is the halfway terminal where one transfers between the lower and upper segments.

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7. Yes, it is steep. The terminal at the top of the upper segment is visible on the left.

8. This poster was displayed at one of the terminals.

9. I hope you enjoy this video that captures the operation of the upper segment. Note the cable car cables and towers which was not operating. And look at all those wind turbines out in the water.

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10. On the trip back down at the midway point of the upper segment. We did not collide head-on despite the appearance.

11. Now at the top of the lower segment waiting for a down-bound tram. Note that this car is on the left side of the two 'overlapping' tracks.

12. The uphill tram arrives on the right side. I do not recall what the driver was gesturing at or why.

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