A Quick Look at the Rails of the Volks Electric Railway...
Hi all. Well, its Day Two of our little weekend away to the South and, after an overnight stay at the Europa Gatwick hotel, a 45-minute Coach Trip was following by arrival in the seaside town of Brighton. After a look on the Pier, in the shops and a quick view of the famous Royal Pavillion, I found something of, I suppose, relative interest...the Volks Electric Railway. First opened in 1883, the little electric railway, which now runs from Aquariam Station (near the Pier) to Black Rock (near to Brighton Marina). Unfortunately, the railway was closed for the winter when we visited but it was interested see the arrangement of the 2ft 8.5" tracks. The railway cars, when running, take their 110v DC power from a 3rd rail, in this case laid between the outer two as apposed to outside. The line used to run with only two rails...with power provided just those...one rail being for the Live Feed and the other for the Return Feed...hence the connectors to convey the current effectively through Fishplate Joints...
(These are soldered on 00 gauge!). In 1886, the Third Rail was added, and is used today. The Third Rail provides the Live Feed now, whereas both of the Outer Rails convey the Return Feed. This then gives the best possible power output, much improved on the original design which became effected by bad weather conditions, hence the fitting of the Third Rail in the first place! Below, the arrangement of the track can be seen... 
The trains, so I understand, will begin running again at Easter, offering Tram Car rides along the quaint Brighton Sea Front. Shame it wasn't running as it was such a nice day...oh well, maybe I'll see it running one day. The VER is run by Brighton & Hove Council but is also supported by a volunteer association who aid the full-time staff. The 110v DC trains now ride what is, famously, the Oldest Electric Railway in the World. Why not go along in the summer and see what it's all about? Well, we're off home now, a good few hours coach journey ahead of us...good job I've bought my copy of Heritage Railway magazine! Thanks for Reading All...Good Afternoon...
Hi all. Well, its Day Two of our little weekend away to the South and, after an overnight stay at the Europa Gatwick hotel, a 45-minute Coach Trip was following by arrival in the seaside town of Brighton. After a look on the Pier, in the shops and a quick view of the famous Royal Pavillion, I found something of, I suppose, relative interest...the Volks Electric Railway. First opened in 1883, the little electric railway, which now runs from Aquariam Station (near the Pier) to Black Rock (near to Brighton Marina). Unfortunately, the railway was closed for the winter when we visited but it was interested see the arrangement of the 2ft 8.5" tracks. The railway cars, when running, take their 110v DC power from a 3rd rail, in this case laid between the outer two as apposed to outside. The line used to run with only two rails...with power provided just those...one rail being for the Live Feed and the other for the Return Feed...hence the connectors to convey the current effectively through Fishplate Joints...
(These are soldered on 00 gauge!). In 1886, the Third Rail was added, and is used today. The Third Rail provides the Live Feed now, whereas both of the Outer Rails convey the Return Feed. This then gives the best possible power output, much improved on the original design which became effected by bad weather conditions, hence the fitting of the Third Rail in the first place! Below, the arrangement of the track can be seen... 
The trains, so I understand, will begin running again at Easter, offering Tram Car rides along the quaint Brighton Sea Front. Shame it wasn't running as it was such a nice day...oh well, maybe I'll see it running one day. The VER is run by Brighton & Hove Council but is also supported by a volunteer association who aid the full-time staff. The 110v DC trains now ride what is, famously, the Oldest Electric Railway in the World. Why not go along in the summer and see what it's all about? Well, we're off home now, a good few hours coach journey ahead of us...good job I've bought my copy of Heritage Railway magazine! Thanks for Reading All...Good Afternoon...
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