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something for the Anoraks.. Volks Railway
- Thread starter desprateseagull
- Start date
Norman Potting
Well-known member
Thank you. Walked from the Marina to the Pier yesterday and viewed the progress they are making, looking forward to seeing it reopen and seeing the visitor centre - hopefully it will include more about the life of the fascinating Mr Volk. Arches on Madeira Drive look in a sorry state, is something planned for their restoration??
http://www.theargus.co.uk/opinion/comment/15222314.Save_our_arches/
THE city was dealt a bitter blow last week when it was announced the council’s bid for funding to save the seafront terraces was turned down.
We have waited for the council’s response. And now here it is.
Warren Morgan has called on businesses and residents to dig deep for the £23 million needed for the restoration.
As part of his four-point proposal he said the local authority will also look at crowdfunding, lottery funding and “pop-up” projects to keep Madeira Drive busy and create income ahead of a full restoration. Many will scoff at the proposal.
But at the end of the day it should never have got to this stage
Former councils should hang their heads in shame for letting the arches fall into disrepair.
It was too costly a problem to tackle and has been repeatedly passed down. Whatever you think of the council leader’s new proposal, at least he is tackling the issue head on.
But who really is going to put money forward to help save the arches. Surely that is why we pay our taxes?
Everyone is strapped for cash, council tax is going up and wages are stagnant. It is a tough ask to get people to pay for the project. While today’s plea from the council leader can do no harm, the local authority must continue to explore other options.
Warren Morgan and his team must learn from the failed bid and make sure their next submission is a success. The seafront is about more than just bricks and iron, it is part of what makes Brighton the place we known and love.
To leave this problem to someone else would be a terrible crime. We must do something.
Shropshire Seagull
Well-known member
My Grandpa was one of the engineers that built Volks railway, way back when.
severnside gull
Well-known member
My grandfather handbuilt and operated miniature two-stroke engined coaches at Peter Pan's Playground in it's heyday. Tragic to see the wasteground it has become.
Johnson's, wasn't it? Were some of them registered for road use - I do remember one leading processions along Madeira Drive.
Personally, I preferred the little train where the trucks spun you round and round at each bend!
Norman Potting
Well-known member
£23M seems an eye watering amount to fix the Arches. I have no qualification to judge such things but although I assume it would run into millions to fix them I didn't think it would be anything like that 
Tom Hark Preston Park
Will Post For Cash
- Jul 6, 2003
- 72,348
How amazing must it have been to live in the era of the Victorian engineering marvels that were the Chain Pier and the Daddy Long Legs 
Norman Potting
Well-known member
How amazing must it have been to live in the era of the Victorian engineering marvels that were the Chain Pier and the Daddy Long Legs
Thanks for those. Read his biography, written by his son, a good while ago and see it is on Amazon at the moment for serious money! He seemed to be a nice chap and though he never made a fortune believe he was a well regarded local figure. Also lived long enough to see the Brighton Line electrified on exactly the same principles as his little line on the seafront, vague recollection he was one of the guests of honour on the inaugural service.
£23M seems an eye watering amount to fix the Arches. I have no qualification to judge such things but although I assume it would run into millions to fix them I didn't think it would be anything like that
It's not just structural.
There's a plan to build commercial units and a hotel etc. into the Arches.
Cowfold Seagull
Fan of the 17 bus
Jack Straw
I look nothing like him!
I remember when the track level was about ten feet above the shingle. Now, the shingle is the same level as the tracks. You can see how it was on one of the photos on the VERA website. Also, in 1983, the centenary year, I worked in the Royal Pavilion Gardens and had to plant a display on the raised bed outside the Dome entrance to commemorate this. It consisted of the dates 1883-1983 and a picture of a carriage, all depicted with flowers. I don't know if there are any photos of this anywhere?
severnside gull
Well-known member
Yes. Ernie Johnstone. He used to do long distance road runs for publicity and had some superb distinctive number plates including the original RU1, a number of 999 plates, single digit numbers, and one which he donated to the mayoral Roller which from memory was CD1 which were the original car registration letters for Brighton.
Well, yes, I was.........what were you when you were young?Child!
Norman Potting
Well-known member
For all you VER fans out there this popped up on Facebook just now - in colour with commentary!
Quite a few other clips of varying vintages on Youtube.
Anorak and proud!
Quite a few other clips of varying vintages on Youtube.
Anorak and proud!
Jack Straw
I look nothing like him!
Maybe I've got the first bit wrong. It may have just been the first part that was way above the shingle. However, the second part re the flowers is definitely spot-on.