WEG has supplied a complete drive solution for the modernization of the Spa Cliff Lift, one of the United Kingdom’s most iconic historic lift systems, located in Scarborough, on the country’s northeast coast. The project was carried out in partnership with Taylor Lifts, a specialist company responsible for the retrofit of the lift’s control and drive system. 

Commissioned in 1875, the Spa Cliff Lift is recognized as Britain’s first seaside funicular railway, connecting the South Cliff Esplanade to the Spa area, a long-established cultural landmark in the city. Throughout nearly 150 years of operation, the system has undergone several technological evolutions, transitioning from hydraulic and steam-powered solutions to modern electric systems, while preserving its original counterbalanced operating principle, with two cars linked by cable. 

Following a Health & Safety review conducted in 2019, the existing control system was deemed no longer suitable for safe operation. As a result, Taylor Lifts was appointed to design and implement a new control system, involving a complete overhaul of the electrical installation, including new signaling equipment, operator stations and control panels. 

To meet the technical and safety requirements of this application, WEG supplied a 75 kW ADL300 advanced inverter, operating in closed loop, responsible for driving the lift system, ensuring precise speed, torque and braking control — essential characteristics for lift and funicular applications, particularly in historic installations with steep gradients. 

The system operates with relay-based logic (manual control) and parallel I/O communication, maintaining operational simplicity and high reliability. Each car has a capacity of 20 passengers, providing safe and continuous transportation for both residents and visitors using the Spa Cliff Lift. 

With this supply, WEG reinforces its expertise in vertical transportation and special lift applications, combining modern technology, robust performance and respect for the historical value of the installations it serves. More than a modernization project, the solution helps preserve an important piece of British engineering heritage for future generations.