Volk’s Railway will start running again tomorrow for the first time since a major restoration project.
The electric railway – the world’s oldest – will run throughout the extended half term break, from 14 to 29 October, and on the weekend of the Veteran Car Run, 4 -5 November.
A Santa Express service is also planned for weekends in December, with the line becoming fully operational again from 2018.
Visitors to Volk’s will have the first opportunity to see its new Aquarium station and visitor centre, designed by Hove practice ABIR architects.
Cllr Alan Robins said: “It’s brilliant to see the Volk’s being able to extend its opening times and range of activities thanks to the new visitor centre and facilities.
“The railway is one of the city’s oldest treasures and the funding injection it’s had means more residents and visitors will enjoy these seaside journeys for many more years to come.”
The centre will be free to access and features interactive exhibits to bring to life the story of inventor Magnus Volk and his pioneering railway.
Work to create a conservation workshop at the site of the former train sheds will continue over the autumn. Once complete, the workshop will provide training space for volunteers as well as allowing visitors to view ongoing restoration work.
The restoration of three of the original carriages is underway at a locomotive specialist in Herefordshire. These elements of the HLF funded project are expected to be finished towards the end of the year to allow a full service to be operational from Easter 2018.
The work has been funded with contributions from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF), Brighton and Hove City Council and Volk’s Electrical Railway Association (VERA).
More information is available from the Volk’s Railway website: www.volksrailway.org.uk
Just in time for a sunny weekend!