Screen Archive South East is a public sector moving image archive serving the South East of England. The archive's collections of magic lantern slides, films, videos and associated materials capture the many varied aspects of life, work and creativity from the early days of screen history to the present day and serve as a rich and invaluable historical resource.
This film is part of Free
Video Player is loading.
Brighton's Volks Electric Railway
There's no smoke or steam on Brighton's Victorian electric beach railway - one of the world's oldest - though you might need to watch out for the occasional nudist
From the collection of:
Overview
This interesting film from the Suter collection shows Brighton's famous Volk's Electric Railway in action not long after its centenary year. Running for just over a mile from Madiera Drive to Black Rock, we travel along the beach front, in all weathers, passing tiny stations, the funfair and a solitary nudist along the way. Driven by both men and women, the little railway crosses points and loops along its course while Brighton Marina is being constructed in the distance.
Brighton's Volk's Electric Railway, created by Magnus Volk, has undergone many changes over the century and more of its existence. Begun as an experimental 2ft gauge line running for a quarter of a mile in 1883, it was soon extended by half a mile and re-gauged to 2ft 8½ inches. After the closure of Volk's other less successful line, the Brighton & Rottingdean Seashore Electric Railway, his original line was extended to Black Rock. Having been shortened, in 1930, by 200 yards to a new terminus close to the Palace Pier, the eastern end was also trimmed, five years later, to accommodate Brighton's new lido. The 1937 built Black Rock station is the line's present day eastern terminus.
Related
Watch for free
Wexford Railway Station (1902) Wexford Railway Station (1902)
Non-Fiction 1902 2 mins Silent
A flurry of activity at Wexford Railway Station as passengers alight an Edwardian steam train.
Watch for free
Bicton Woodland Railway Bicton Woodland Railway
Current affairs 1976 2 mins Silent Location: Bicton Park
Bicton Woodland Railway reopens to passengers for the summer season
Watch for free
Godfrey Davies: The Last Train from Peterchurch Godfrey Davies: The Last Train from Peterchurch
Amateur film 1953 5 mins Silent Location: Peterchurch
Railway services on the Golden Valley line in Herefordshire slip into history.
Watch for free
Train Ride to Devil's Bridge Train Ride to Devil's Bridge
Travelogue 1964 11 mins Location: Aberystwyth
12 miles of magic as we journey on the Vale of Rheidol Railway, one of the Great Little Trains of Wales
Watch for free
This Is York This Is York
Travelogue 1953 21 mins Location: York
The Stationmaster at York guides us through a typical day, from dawn to dusk.
Watch for free
A Letter for Wales A Letter for Wales
Drama 1960 22 mins
Cinema star Donald Houston recalls his memories of railways and the romance of the Welsh landscape.
Watch for free
Playground Express Playground Express
1955 17 mins Location: Brighton
Kids face the closure of their Brighton playground but fight back to reclaim it, with a little help from the iconic Volks Railway
Watch for free
Southern Seaside Southern Seaside
Travelogue 1935 15 mins Silent Location: Bournemouth
Anyone for a trip to the seaside? From Bournemouth to Margate via Brighton and Folkestone – sunny delights in abundance.
Watch for free
Early Fashions on Brighton Pier Early Fashions on Brighton Pier
Non-Fiction 1898 1 mins Silent Location: Brighton
An accidental fashion parade as holiday promenaders pass before the camera on Brighton Pier
Watch for free
A Visit to Heathrow Airport A Visit to Heathrow Airport
Amateur film 1961 5 mins Silent Location: Heathrow Airport London
At a time when flying still had a touch of glamour, Heathrow's Queens Building could provide the perfect venue for a pleasant afternoon's plane spotting
Watch for free
Brighton Seaside - Airshow & Silver Jubilee in Bromley Brighton Seaside - Airshow & Silver Jubilee in Bromley
Amateur film 1977 11 mins Silent Location: Brighton
Tony Mitchell captures a variety of events during Jubilee year - including day trips to Brighton and a bunting covered London as well as an accident at an airshow
Watch for free
Brighton & Hove Band of Hope Demonstration Brighton & Hove Band of Hope Demonstration
Non-Fiction 1913 2 mins Silent Location: Brighton
Brighton's children are recruited for the fight against the 'demon drink' in this revealing 1913 film featuring the Temperance Movement
Watch for free
Alexandre Desplat (Masterclass) Alexandre Desplat (Masterclass)
Inside Film 2011 33 mins
Over 30 years and 150 projects, the composer shares, with humour and passion, the intricacies of making film music.
Watch for free
Ian Neil (Masterclass) Ian Neil (Masterclass)
Inside Film 2012 74 mins
Neil selected soundtracks for 127 Hours, Shame, Kick Ass, Control and many more. He discusses the job and its complexities, referencing his own work.
Watch for free
Screenwriters' Lecture: Peter Straughan Screenwriters' Lecture: Peter Straughan
Inside Film 2012 mins
Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy's adapter reveals his quest for "the poem of the book" and the importance of simplicity: 'Drain the pond to find the fish'.
Watch for free
Gabriel Yared on composing for film Gabriel Yared on composing for film
Inside Film 2013 11 mins
Composer of The Lives of Others, The English Patient and Betty Blue on intimacy and experimentation.
Watch for free
Lois Burwell on movie makeup Lois Burwell on movie makeup
Inside Film 2013 17 mins
Lincoln, Braveheart and Magnolia make-up artist Lois Burwell explains how she created some of her most iconic looks, as part of a BAFTA Masterclass.
Watch for free
Barry Ackroyd (Masterclass) Barry Ackroyd (Masterclass)
2013 61 mins
British cinematographer of The Hurt Locker, Captain Phillips, Hillsborough and Riff Raff reviews the art of the moving image.