An Australian train has shocked social media users – but it’s not just any train, it’s the steepest passenger railway in the world.
The Scenic Railway in NSW’s Blue Mountains was originally built in the late 19th century to serve the Katoomba coal mine and was converted into a family-owned tourist attraction in 1945.
It has carried more than 25 million visitors.
One video on TikTok showing the journey down the mountain through a dark cliff tunnel and bush has been viewed 1.8 million times and has many comparing the funicular to a rollercoaster.
“I went on this a few weeks ago, it was literally so scary,” one of more than 1000 comments read.
“I cried on this, absolutely terrifying,” said another.
“I’d have a panic attack,” added a third.
“My claustrophobia could never,” penned a fourth.
Many Sydneysiders remembered going on the Scenic Railway as children, with some pointing out the tourist attraction had been through a lot of changes in the years since.
“I did this when I was six in 2005, back then they didn’t have the doors or a glass roof, it was a cage with a rope along the doors,” recalled one person.
“Did this in high [school] and they just had a rope and it was a cage and no glass,” a second Aussie said.
“This has changed. When I went on it there was a bar in front of us and no cage, so much better to the see the view back then instead of this,” shared another.
“Wow, it’s changed since I was there last. They had only a plastic chain to keep you in … lol” a fourth remembered.
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The experience underwent redevelopment in 2013 offering glass-roofed carriages.
The now customisable experience allows passengers to chose from three seating positions; the Cliffhanger at a steep 64 degree incline; Laidback for a more relaxed journey; or the Original at 52 degree incline.
The funicular travels 310 metres to the floor of the Jamison Valley.
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