The Volk’s Railway in Brighton had work going on to restore it and a delay meant it could not be opened at Easter at usual. However, it is open for the half term school holiday and the railway will run a service until 29th October. It will host over the weekend in November, the veteran car run. There are plans to run in November, a Santa Express service at weekends.
Over the next two weeks, visitors will get the chance to see the new visitor centre, designed by Hove practice ABIR architects and the Aquarium station. It will host interactive exhibits bringing to life the story of Magnus Volk, the inventor, and his pioneering railway. There’ll be free entry. A conservation workshop is being built on the site of the former train sheds. Specialist Alan Keef is restoring the 3 original carriages. A full service will be operational once all elements of work of the project is finished by the end of the year. The restoration project, costing £65 million, is covered by Volk’s Electrical Railway Association, Brighton and Hove City Council and the Heritage Lottery Fund.
Alan Robins, city council tourism lead, said that thanks to the new facilities and visitor centre, Volk’s has extended its range of activities and times. He remarked that the funding injection to the railway, one of the oldest treasures of the city, will mean more years for visitors and residents to enjoy the seaside journeys.
