Fancy a quick ride on the world’s oldest operating electric railway? Now you can, as Volk’s Electric Railway has officially reopened for the summer season.
The railway in Brighton, East Sussex, restarted its engines ahead of the Easter holiday on Good Friday (March 29) and is once again welcoming visitors for the spring and summer.
Although the Volk’s journey is quite short (only one mile), it offers no shortage of seaside sights and sounds. Boarding the train at Brighton’s aquarium, riders should be able to catch a glimpse of the renovated Reading Room and Temple, as well as splashing waves and adventurous ocean paddlers on the quick trip to Black Rock station.
Need even more reasons to ride this short-but-delightful non-steam train? Volk’s railway recently won Heritage Railway’s coveted ‘Best Railway of the Year’ award for 2024, marking the first time in history that the prize was awarded to a non-steam train. The honour was commemorated with a celebration on last week’s opening day, and in attendance were many of the railway’s staff and volunteers.
Brighton’s tiny train snagged the top spot just ahead of the Ravenglass and Eskdale Railway, the 7-mile track in Cumbria, England, which came in second place. In third was Seaton Tramway in East Devon, which brought the number of electric trains in the top three spots to exactly two.
Volk’s, which celebrated its 140th anniversary last year, was the first electric railway in England. Originally just a quarter-mile long, the track has been lengthened over the years to a full mile. It was also the first track to employ the innovative electric third rail, which can be seen on today’s mainline at Brighton Station. It’s manned by a team of staff and dedicated volunteers who are committed to ‘preserving Brighton’s unique railway as an integral part of the nation’s seaside heritage for generations to come’.
Trains run in both directions every 15 minutes, starting on the hour, every day of the week. Adult tickets cost £5 one-way, and £6.50 with a return, while kids can ride for £3.20 or £4 with a return, aged 3 to 15. Tickets are available for purchase at the aquarium railway station, and you can find out more on the railway’s official website here.
Britain by train with Time Out
On the hunt for more spectacular Great British train journeys? We at Time Out have plenty more where that came from. Check out our ultimate ranking of the country’s best scenic rail routes, then read more about how three of the world’s best train journeys are in the UK.
Did you see that this underrated Scottish museum has reopened after a massive £27 million makeover?
Plus: The UK is officially one of the happiest countries in the world.
Stay in the loop: sign up to our free Time Out UK newsletter for the latest UK news and the best stuff happening across the country.