One of the best loved attractions of Madeira Drive is its toy town, mini, electric railway. But this is not just a novelty entertainment - Eastbourne, for example,  has a toy train on road wheels to entertain visitors  - this is a genuine piece of UK industrial history.

Magnus Volk opened his seafront electric railway in 1883. It was the first electric railway in Britain, and was only beaten in the whole of Europe by the seaside town of Portrush in Northern Ireland and the city of Berlin. The difference with its competitors is that Volk's Railway is still running.

There are only three stops: the Aquarium Station, at the western end; Peter Pan's Station, the half-way point; and Black Rock Station (also known as Marina Station), at the eastern end . The line is about 1.1 miles long.

Volks Railway operates as a summer service only. More information about train times and fares can be found here.

VERA (Volk's Electric Railway Association) celebrated the 125th anniversary of the railway
on Sunday, 3rd August 2008 - click here for report

The 2013 Season begins on [dates not yet confirmed]

Volk's Photogallery

Volk's Electric Railway