Although the beautiful West Pier looks unlikely to rise from the depths again, there’s still some quirky attractions to be found around the south coast city of Brighton.
One of my favourites is the Volk’s Electric Railway, which runs parallel with the beach for around one and a quarter miles (2 km), with several pedestrian crossings (above) giving sunbathers access on to Brighton’s famous beach.
The electric railway was opened in 1883 by Magnus Volk and originally ran for just a quarter of a mile on a narrow two foot gauge.
Since then the line has been extended, re-gauged, shortened, closed and reopened, and now operates between Easter and September, with trains running every 15 minutes.
The railway has a gauge of 2 ft 8 1⁄2 in (825 mm), with trains powered by an electrified 110V DC third rail.
More photos and info:
Volk’s Electric Railway, Brighton – A trip on the oldest remaining operating electric railway in the world.
[Railway History] – [Operating times]
The railway in the sea
Sadly, Volk’s other venture – the wonderfully bonkers Brighton and Rottingdean Seashore Electric Railway no longer operates.
The unique coastline railway ran through the waves of the English Channel between 1896 and 1901, taking passengers for a ride on a bizarre Victorian stilted structure, which came complete with a captain.
Check out the videos below:
More info:
Volk’s Brighton to Rottingdean Seashore Electric railway
[Volk’s Railway]
Loads more Brighton photos here.
Related posts:
The mad railways of Brighton
A sunny summer’s afternoon in Brighton
The Brighton Sea Railway
A sunny day by the seaside at Brighton – beach views and carousels
The tragedy of West Pier, Brighton beach, Brighton
View from a train: the stunning Great Western line through Dawlish, Devon
Brighton Beach and Little Odessa, New York
Brighton at Christmas
