The crossing
The line
One span, two stations, 1,240 metres of cable and a fog clause.
Vale-bottom to Whitethorn Top
The span crosses the beech wood, the millpond and the old switchback track in one flight. Vale-bottom station sits at the valley floor by the millpond; Whitethorn Top hangs at 412 metres above it, beside the old shepherds' bothy that now pours the tea. There are no intermediate towers: the company's founder considered them "an admission of doubt", and the span has never needed one.
| Fact | Value |
|---|---|
| Span, station to station | 1,240 m |
| Vertical rise | 412 m |
| Cabin capacity | 24 each |
| Rope diameter | 42 mm |
| Line speed | 2.1 m/s |
| Towers | None, deliberately |
Vale-bottom
Ticket office, step-free boarding, the fog board (updated by hand), and the millpond with its opinionated ducks.
Whitethorn Top
The tea room, the bothy, the viewing rail and, on clear days, four counties of it. Step-free from cabin to counter.
Aboard the cabins
Stand away from the doors until the crew opens them, hold the rail on entry, and do not rock the cabin; the cable notices.