High Volkage: Volk's Electric Railway
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- Опубликовано: 16 июл 2024
- The oldest electric railway in Britain is a little narrow gauge line at the seaside. Here's its story.
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"A pretty bad day at Black Rock" , starring Banjo Groyne. Now that is a RUclips video we ALL want to see!!
But not on a work computer...
I got that little bit you dropped into your commentary Jago. A reference to a 1950's film staring Spencer Tracey! Also I think I know what your next Volks video may be about... A sort of Trolley Bus on Sea. Hope I've wetted the appetite of your faithfull viewers rather than spoiled it for them!
@@rowanNClangley 👍👍🇦🇺
Mystery at Hanging Black Brighton Rock with music The Eye of the Jago.
So would his electric car have been known as Volk's Wagen?
Yes.
Shush man.
No. Does not pollute enough.
dang you beat me to it
😂😂🤣🤣🤣😂😂🤣🤣🤣
In 1993 I was working as a bus driver (I still am) on services that mirrored the Docklands Light Railway. The services ran in the evening whilst the railway itself was still being worked on prior to it's full opening. I used to pick up this elderly Jewish chap who had clearly lived in the East End of London long before the extensive redevelopment of the Area which began in the 1980s. These bus routes were very lightly used in the evenings so you got to know your regular passengers, sorry customers !, quite well and we would have a little chat.
One day I asked him his opinion on the DLR to which he replied, clearly unimpressed " well it's alright for running up and down Brighton beach I suppose " which was a clear reference to Volkes Electric Railway.
I used to try and imagine the things and the changes he must have seen from the slums to living through the second world war and the fascist black shirts that lead anti - Jewish demonstrations through to the complete demolition and rebuilding of the area. I concluded he really had seen much more than most of us see in a lifetime.
A school freinds father and grandfather were both jailed for chucking stuff at Mosley and his chums in the Cable street stromash. His dad was "bang to rights". The whole lot was featured on a Pathe newsreel! It's probably on RUclips somewhere.
Ta.
@@Peasmouldia Good for them !!
Thanks for sharing.
@@simonwinter8839 On reflection, I wondered if any of Moseley's goons were charged and jailed. My freinds dad was very reticent on the subject, and I was too young and stupid to ask...
@@Peasmouldia
I don't know if any of them were charged but on the whole they got away,if not literally, with murder.
It must be out there on Google so I'll have a look.
I was worried for a second that you would fail to mention the insanity that is Volk's other railway. I can't wait for the video!
I'd like to rebut you, by saying that Volk's solution was an elegant Victorian engineering solution to a significant geographical problem. But no, you're right, it was bananas...
Not even a crane fly wrongly identified as a daddy long legged tram could beat a "Banjo Groin"... 🤣
Ah yes, the other railway which would have made even Rowland Emett hesitate - "I can't draw this, nobody would believe it".
It’s going to be a tall tale…
Mentioning Brighton and insane engineering... I think I know where it going
Volks lived in the same street as my grandfather and Dad played with Volk's son, they were near enough the same age. As you say Jago their house was the first in Brighton to employ electric light. This knowledge of electricity certainly rubbed off on my father, when he was 15 he converted grandfather's works and all the machinery then was powered by electricity. His first job (before joining his father in the family firm) was to rewire Hove telephone exchange! In 1954 he built my first 00 gauge model railway, all the points were electrically operated, he built a turntable which, by use of a rotating knob, the road could be set, all from a control panel fitted out with signal levers and switches. Other than that he loved speed and raced his motorcycles at Brooklands in the late 20's. He had 3 motorcyles at age 14.
Jago in the past:
Let me know in the comments if you are interested in a video on this subject.
Jago now:
You will love the next video related to this one.
That's the spirit. looking forward to it.
But let the record state, I'd be interested in a video on that subject.
In best Loony Toons fashion - "That's all Volks"
Volks & Yerkes Entrepreneurs to the Nation.
I often take my granddaughter to Rottingdean beach - it has the nearest rock-pools to London. I slowly realised that the concrete sleepers visible at low tide were the only remnants of Volks's amazing 'Daddy Long Legs' - a short section of seaside pier moving sedately through the water. Rottingdean is a curious place - an old Sussex village, complete with duck pond, which suddenly becomes a small seaside resort. Or vice-versa, coming the other way.
It's such a shame that the outdoor pool there fell out of use and was concreted up. Salt water with a dash of chlorine was an odd experience, but I really enjoyed an afternoon there back when I was a young 'un.
I love the VER just watch out for the nudist beach!
You could go later, if you have nothing on.
I did nearly wind up there. I couldn’t figure out why people were avoiding the gravel bank. Fortunately I saw the sign in time.
When you say, “watch out”…….lol 😱
What are you watching out for. No one is going to bite you. Fwiw I think you'll rarely find a more body positive group of people but yeah sure. Watch out.
ruclips.net/video/CQNHdDIgKjQ/видео.html Lets go for a record attempt on the V.E.R.!!!!
My bestie and I became naturists because of this railway. When we got off we thought "well it's a nice sunny day, let's give it a go." Since then we've been on several naturist holidays and joined a local club for a weekly skinny dip.
Hilarious sub references. “Banjo Groin”, “Bad Day At Black Rock”.
Imagine Spencer Tracey arriving at Brighton instead of somewhere in the Mid West.
@@nickjacobs1770 Yes on the Southern Pacific, instead of the plain old Southern.
and Sparked the imagination...all 110 volts of it.
That's droll Jago for you.
Actually, it would be spelled ''Banjo Groyne '' etc...
Jago expands on that gag, in his 'Daddy Longlegs' video.
Jago: "The line was built in 18 days..."
Network Rail: "Shut him up!"
He's too dangerous to be left alive!
Volk basicaly had the perfect balance between genius and insanity.
Went to Brighton, riding the Thameslink from East Croydon a couple of months ago, specifically to ride the VER. A great day, sunny and not too crowded. In a weird way, I kind of prefer Black Rock and the Brighton Marina to the bustle of the pier and seafront. Of course, neither are as genteel as Hove.
That's 'Hove-actually'. As in, "Do you live in Brighton?"
"No, Hove, actually!"
Yes, I love Hove Actually!
I like the Pavilion but it always looks like they're still waiting for the painters to turn up and finish it.
Over 40 years I’ve watched the scaffolding get moved around the Pavilion. Painting the Forth bridge is a quick job by comparison!
Fantastic - love the Volks Railway - when I drive to Brighton, I take advantage of the 4 hours free parking at the marina and take the railway into the town. Cheaper than the ncp car parks!
Can’t wait to see your video on the daddy long legs!
Shhh! Spoiler alert.
I'm a Brighton girl thank you for this video Mr Hazzard. I've been on the volks railway many a times.
"1400 yards... or the equivilent in metres." That's just the kind of cutting edge commentary we need in these go-ahead post-EU times. What would that be in furlongs I wonder?
Another cracking video Jago and I'm glad to see you're getting some fresh air after spending time at the Redbridge roundabout.
6 and 4/11 I think.
I hope the British government goes to the whole hog and reintroduces the £ s d currency now they have shaken off the tyranny of that evil French invention, the decimal system. (Just don't tell them that £ s d is also a French invention, £ for livre, s for sou and d for denier.)
How many balls of string to reach the moon?
AKA, As many as don't get stolen by the courier.
"Or the equivalent in metres". What a wonderful way to manage that French system!
I would have thought a fire alarm directly connected to the fire station world have been more useful than the police station.
I think it was back in the day when fire brigrades were private and you had to have a fire insurance plate on the wall of your house to get them to do anything.
The underwater railway must've been something else.. I wondered if that was on Jago's agenda.
Looking forward to the Jago treatment on that one.
It took me a minute to realize the "railways and seawater" comment was a teaser.
Ta Jago.
Yes, it should be a tall tale.
I've seen an exhibit on Volk's other railway- a crazy thing, for sure! I like Brighton, there's some great pubs there like The Evening Star just down the street from the station.
Spencer Tracey tips his hat to you sir. Thanks Jago very enlightening.
I used to live about 12 miles north of Brighton. A day trip was never complete without a ride on the line. The last time out, I sat opposite two Americans, who were shocked (pun intended) to discover that electricity was actually a thing in the 1880's...*sigh*
Nowadays, I live slightly further North from Brighton. Like, Glasgow....
Oh Yes! They also have trouble with geography: Australia is nowhere near Germany... 😱
Haywards Heath?
@@73APhotography Yup!
@@tombaxter6228 Haha just making sure it wasn’t Burgess Hill; we can’t be having any of that ;)
@@73APhotography Aye. Splitters! 😂😂
I hope your talking about the Daddy Longleggs. Mr Volk’s was a interesting man!
Was he the one with the Banjo Groin?
@@Eddyspeeder I don’t know 🤷 I maybe old but he was before my time 😃🤣
Bad Day at Black Rock. Great reference; great filum. Starts and ends with a railway scene. "Thanks Mr Macreedy.Thanks for everything."
I can't believe you were here in town. So nice to see Brighton on your channel. Hope you have a nice time.
There is a postcard of the VER from the 80’s, scruffy fellow driving it in a UB40 t-shirt. That’s my older brother, he used to let me sound the horn at the level crossings. Never trusted me to drive the thing though!
I absolutely love your videos. It always brings a smile to my day. :)
Good account. The council messed it up about 30 years with a diversion with sharp curves, where Peter Pan's playground used to be. They curves are probably damaging the cars.
It could usefully be extended into the Marina and westwards to the pier.
I love the rhubarb and custard colour scheme, seemingly quite popular amongst commercial vehicles of the period, and very pleasing to the eye.
Yep, that other one really does deserve its own video. Looking forward to it!
From 6:28 - the cream coloured building on the left is The Old Reading Room at Dukes Mound. The area further to the left becomes very lively after dark.
Fond childhood memories of our annual 2 weeks in August down at Brighton with my parents back in the mid to late 60's when we would travel on the VER to the paddling pools at Black Rock...Thanks for the video and pleased to hear it still running today
Thanks for this Jago; brings back a lot of childhood memories 😊
Interesting and informative as always. Keep up the good work fella and stay safe.
Interesting video again Jago!
2:55 I greatly appreciate your effort when it comes to providing us with accurate IS unit conversions.
'Banjo Groin would be a good name for an adult film star' did make me spit tea out whilst watching this video. Another great little presentation on some lesser known history. Thanks so much again.
I have family in Brighton and whenever I travel there I always visit the railway. i also am exited to learn more about the daddy long legs. thank you
Having seen picture's, and various articles, I cannot wait for the other video, great work jago
A lovely place for a day out.😊
Many happy memories of the VER in the 1950s and my Dad explaining to me how electric motors worked...
I have had the pleasure of riding on this lovely little railway. Great video Jago and I look forward to the 'crazy' one. And yes, I am pretty sure I know what it will be about. Another big 'Thumbs-up' from me for this one.
I knew that some of the Southend Pier stock had been sold to Brighton Corporation for use on the VER in 1949. Good to hear that they did use it ! Incidentally, the Southend Pier trains that replaced them (green and cream, electric) were later replaced by the blue liveried diesels cars that you showed. These are about to be replaced by new sets, which I believe are to be electric once again. A case of Southend 'keeping up with the Volks' perhaps? Thanks for another great video
We’ll, you learn something every day thanks to RUclips. I live within 40 miles and never heard of Volks.
Can't wait for the next video. Very informative. Thanks 😊
Jago's in Brighton - surely a breach of his probation!
Remember visiting and riding on this as a kid with my grand mother, as she lived in Saltdean overlooking, well Saltdean as she was at the top of the hill, also used Saltdean Lido and Black Rock Lido. At one time the VER used to run out on a sort of raised Pier section at the Black Rock end, certainly my grandmother recollected it.
I grew up not far from Brighton and live 11 miles just along the coast. If you look closely walking along the undercliff walk, you can see signs of Volks second railway.
Went on it a couple weeks ago. Loved the video in the little museum of the spider like train going through the sea. Very great trip up the beach.
This is fascinating. I lived in Southend on sea so the mention of the pier train carriages piqued my interest. I loved this potted history and I'm very much looking forward to the next video you are planning on Magnus Volk. Thank you.
Fantastic - I grew up near Brighton so this is wonderfully familiar territory, and I can't wait for your video about Volk's other railway - it's got to be one of the pinnacles of delightful & intrepid imaginative engineering from that era!
Awesome video
Magus Volk's railway,run on Volta's voltage! I know it doesn't rhyme,but it's the best pun,I could think up,on the spur of the moment! Jago,thank you for taking further afield,out of London! And a US addition,the LB&SC electrification was one of the pioneering AC operations,as was the LSWR's DC,and they paralleled each other,literally!! History!!! THANK YOU 😊! 😊
There are spring loaded points at the passing loops. The points are held by the spring so a train approaching a passing loop always goes to the left. The trailing point at the end of the loop is held by the spring against the train but the flanges open the point to let the train out. I know it's very simple but it all happens automatically and it's fun to watch it working.
Very interesting and informative Jago, I'd heard of the railway but knew nothing about it until now.👍
Thanks for the Bad Day At Black Rock reference, Jago. If you didn't I was going to have to come up with something.
Once again Jago , you have made a shockingly good episode , Cheers !
Mr H! I think your quips have exceeded all expectations in this video. You really are ... Well, you are, so there. Thanks. Simon T
More of this 🙌. Love finding out history and quercks
Nice video on Volk's electric railway. :) I lived in Brighton when I was very young and remember seeing that railway but I don't think I ever had a ride on it. Looking forward to the video on the other one towards Rottingdean. :)
This Volk guy sounds quite awesome. I wouldn't mind a video just about him and what he accomplished.
🤔 But did he have a set of splendiferous moustaches?
Great video, I need to look out for this the next time I'm in Brighton.
Thanks Jago. The things you have to go through for us -- days out in Brighton eh?!
excited for the next video, love that crazy idea
Hi Jago. I liked the way you sneaked in the pun about "a bad day at Black Rock"; nice one!
Wonderful video as always. I am a local who drives passed the railway everyday and has made many trips myself and my kids on it. When we have visitors ( we don't get many during Covid ) we get going on it!
Look forward to further comments on it. Well done you!
Jago on my home turf!! Can't wait for the next episode, it was an absolutey crazy idea!
A trip to Brighton has never been complete without a trip on the Volk's Railway. I remember both platforms at the Aquarium end being in use - must've been late 70's when 1 was taken out of use. I also remember them slightly shortening the line at the Blackrock end in the late 80's. Looking forward to the Daddy Long Legs video...
There were two tracks at Black Rock as well, Mark, though the south side there was rarely used. The north platform at Aquarium fell out of use when coupling of the cars became normal in the early 1960s.
Great film association Bad Day at Black Rock. Spencer Tracy giving a lesson in One Armed Combat😊😊
Always worth a re- viewing.
Bad day at Black Rock, I saw what you did there... However, it's a great film, one of my favourites.
Yes, Volks had the Volts! And not to spoil things, I know all about his other crazy project! I would have really loved a trip on that!
Now that will be a fun video, from smol boi to tall boi railways, practically a stones throw from each other.
We have a modern day poster at work showing the madness of Volks other railway, I've often wondered about it and look forward to seeing your video
Thanks for the history lesson.
Can't wait for part 2!
Can't beileve I've never heard of Volk's 'other' railway so I had to look it up: insane ain't the word! Can't wait for your take on that, sir. :)
I admire and respect your refusal to convert the imperial to this new fangled measuring system.
I’m very familiar with the Volks Railway. A long standing mate used to drive it during the summer months for many years. The kids would love travelling on Volks and used to sit up front near the driver. At low tide, you can still see some remains of the original extended route all the way to Rottingdean.
Yes. A friend of mine used to drive it in the 70s. He had to wear heavy rubber gauntlets to avoid getting a shock from the driving handle!! Provided by the Corporation of course.
That looks amazing!
Very interesting. I lived in Brighton as a kid. Although I don't remember the railway. I took my Daughter on the train in 2010. Its a lovely antique, but Brighton is very untidy along the route.
I remember many trips as a kid on it during the 70's and 80's.
And some during recent years too since it's refurbishment.
I've spent too much time indoors, all I could think of when I saw the title was Eddy Grant singing " Electric Avenue"! .
See Mr.Hazzard's video on Electric Avenue in Brixton.
Mr Hazzard's holidays... :P I'm so glad that Volk's Electric Railway gets a mention - I have to try and get down there one day!
I used to go for holidays in Brighton in the late fifties. The railway was really run down, but at least it was running.
Love old electrics and unlike the internet they usually still work lol Cheers Rob
A competition was definitely announced for the name of the middle station. Or someone realized two days before the opening that they had forgotten that.
The middle station has had four names since the railway opened: 'Paston Place', 'Children's Playground', 'Peter Pan's Playground' and 'Halfway'.
My favourite railway! Cant’t wait for the next video, trains with lifeboats here we come!
This brought back memories, in the early to mid 1960s I had an aunt who lived in Lancing, and we would visit for a few days, from my childhood home in South London. On these trips we would invariably visit Brighton and I would be taken on Volks Railway. Even then, 1963ish it seemed old. Its good that it has survived. Later on when I left school I became an electrical engineer, and I find the history of early electrical technology fascinating. I think a visit to Brighton will be needed again one day, haven't been back since to Brighton since the 1960s trips, and I now live in Yorkshire, so not so straight forward.
Interesting video Jago. Did not know there was a narrow gauge railway at Brighton.
Hello, Banjo Groyne here.... No, but seriously, Jago, thank you for reviving many happy childhood memories of holidays with family in Brighton. I always pestered parents for rides on the VER. I remember my Dad once telling me that it used to be called the Ride over the Sea, with some of the line on piers over the water, but the shingle banks had gradually moved in. This might have been just stories passed down through our local family, but I suppose it could have been true?
There were indeed once piers holding the line up, so I can definitely confirm that part.
Thank you! Not just my poor memory or parental storytelling after all.
Keep up the good work, VERA.
Good to see you have got out of London for a nice trip to the seaside! 2 curious coincidences; the similarity of Volk to volt (or Volta), and the original gauge of 2'0" and the revised gauge of 2'8.5" add up to railway standard gauge of 4'8.5".
Super Video! Next trip to Brighton !!
Definitely want the video on the other railway now. - Also I'm tempted to change my name by deed poll to ' Banjo Groin' ! Brilliant!
Pretty sure I know what that crazy "other" railway is but one thing that I've never seen explained is how on earth it stayed on the rails.
I hope your video on the subject will fill in that gap!
Cool.... You came to my home city.
Hope you enjoyed it.
I liked that railway a lot when I was in Brighton in 2018 and 2019!
Another great video, I’d love to see you do a video on the Glasgow underground one day!