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11:13am Saturday 17th May 2008


A car that ran for many years on Volk's Railway in Brighton has found a new home in Hassocks. The historic car, number nine on the seafront electric railway, is now at a heritage centre in South Downs Nurseries on the Brighton road.

Railway founder Magnus Volk never saw the car. It was bought from Southend Pier by Brighton Council in 1949, 12 years after his death.

But Peter Williams, spokesman for the Volk's Electric Railway Association (VERA), said: "It is poignant it should have headed for Hassocks where Magnus and his family lived from 1903-1914."

The car's future had been hanging in the balance since its withdrawal from service in the early-1990s. It is pictured above, outside the Volk's Railway depot in Brighton earlier this year.

Now VERA has been granted ownership by Brighton and Hove City Council, who have also provided a short section of track.

VERA has funds available for restoring the car, which seats 40 passengers in crossbench tramcar style. At present, there are no plans to operate it at the centre.

The heritage centre is open daily 9.30am to 5.30pm on weekdays and 10am to 5pm on Sundays. Admission is free, with donations to local charities invited.

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