Running along the eastern part of Brighton's sea-front, Volk's railway is the oldest public…read moreelectric railway in the world, still in operation.
The railway was the brainchild of Magnus Volk, the son of a German watchmaker, who was born in Brighton in 1851. Early in life he acquired a fascination for electricity and made his house the first to be lit by electric light in Brighton.
Meanwhile, Werner von Siemens had demonstrated the practicability of electric traction in 1879, and in 1881 a tramway in Berlin was the first to adopt this new technology. Volk wanted to bring the technology to the UK, and planned his railway line to this end, which was opened on 4 August 1883. It originally had a gauge of 2 ft, later enlarged to 2' 9, and ran for a quarter of a mile on a shingle embankment, although after sea damage, the railway was elevated on wooden trestle. The original two-rail electric system was also converted to a single, off-centre rail, which is still in use today. The line was extended to Black Rock station (close to the present-day Marina development) in 1901.
The railway was taken over by Brighton Corporation after Volk's death in 1937, but was severely damaged by defences put in place during World War II. Happily, it was restored to use in 1948, and still runs the one and half miles (2km) along the sea-front, although no longer on the wooden trestle. It starts from the Aquarium terminus building near the Palace Pier: the station building is an old tram shelter from 1900. There is one intermediate station, appropriately named 'Half Way Station'. This is adjacent to the Peter Pan children's playground. The terminus is a few minutes' walk from the Marina development.
Services run every 15 minutes, using attractive Victorian-style open cars to the original design (a few have glazed compartments in case of bad weather). The line follows the upper shore-line closely, with a number of level crossings at which the trains 'hoot'. Parts of the adjacent shingle are covered in colourful sedum flowers in early summer, but the slow, clackety-clack of the trains makes for a unique experience whatever the time of year.
Fares are a very reasonable £1.50 single and £2.50 return for adults, 70p single and £1.20 return for children. Needless to say, the line is very popular with tourists, and children especially.
Update
This year (2008) is the 125th Anniversary of the railway. The celebrations will take place on Sunday 3 August - further details will appear on the website nearer the time. On August 9 the railway will be open from 10-22h and the train will be illuminated with lights to mark 125 years of running.
On the first Saturday of every month the railway is offering a £1 return fare to local residents, up to September 6. You need to show a utility or Council Tax bill (as proof of residence) to get the discount.
