This electric railway runs along the seafront at Brighton, from just opposite the Aquarium east to the Marina.  The gauge and length of the line has changed over the years, but it dates back to 1883, making it the oldest operating electric railway in the world. The inventor of this little gem, was Magnus Volk, born in Brighton and son of a German clockmaker.  He apprenticed as a scientific instrument maker and became fascinated by the new technologies of the late nineteenth century; he the first person in Brighton to install electric lighting in his house.  This no doubt boosted his reputation as both engineer and inventor and he was chosen to equip the Royal Pavilion with electric incandescent lighting. In August of 1883, Volk opened his electric creation, a 2ft gauge railway running along  a quarter of a mile of  track  from the Aquarium to the Chain Pier.  This railway was a project that Volk returned to many times over his career, extending the line and adding new cars.  In fact, his last public appearance was at the opening ceremony for a new station at Black Rock, literally days before his death 1937.  It was a project that required invention and tenacity as the line runs so close to the sea and suffers from unstable ground and weather damage. The line passed to his son, but new transport regulations introduced in 1938 allowed Brighton Corporation to seize the company and bring it under its control.  But there were bigger events than this on the horizon, and with the outbreak of war the beaches in Brighton were closed and fortified and the railway ceased operations.   After the war, the Corporation renovated the line and replaced some of the badly damaged cars.  Since then stations have closed and changed along with the changes in tourist numbers and interests.  But the line still runs and is worth a trip.  It heads out to the Marina, though unfortunately you do have a long walk through a supermarket car park before you get to enjoy the pleasant Marina area.   The railway is currently open for the summer season, closing at the end of September for its regular winter break.  Prices and timetable are available here.

Part of April A to Z, Alphabe Thursday and ABCW.

Copyright Debbie Smyth, 25 April 2015