Volk's Electric Railway, Brighton

The Volk's Electric Railway is Great Britain's first and the the world's, oldest still operational, public, electric railway, which in August 1883 started carrying passengers along the seafront in Brighton. By 1901 it had been extended to more or less it's current route, that is from Palace Pier to Black Rock, a distance of about a mile and a quarter. Since then there have minor reductions in the length of the route, to just over a mile, such as when the new Black Rock station was built (see photo below). It was designed and built by Magnus Volk, whose family was originally of German origin and who had already distinguished himself as an electrical engineer by illuminating, with the then new electric light, the Royal Pavilion in Brighton. Taken over by Brighton Corporation in 1940, the railway has undergone several phases of restoration, but is still going strong with it's original rolling stock. It's future is assured thanks to the ongoing attention of the independant Volk's Railway Association.The following photos are the result of a visit on 13th. Aug. 1999.

Car 6 at the start of it's route at Aquarium Station, near Palace Pier.

A view in the opposite direction at the same site.

A view of the inside of an open compartment in car 6

Car 7 at Peter Pan's station, the halfway point, passing place and engine sheds!,

Passing car 7 at Peter Pan's.

The new station At Black Rock, built in monolithic, classical style, with integral public conveniences and other facilities.

Car 6 at Black Rock

Car 7 at full tilt on a typical section of line below the under cliff prior to Black Rock.

Images Copyright Dr. Colin F. Parsons 1999