Southend Pier Railway

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Southend-on-Sea in Essex has had a pier associated with it since 1830. The current structure in 1.38 miles long and completed in 1889 with subsequent pier head extensions in the 1920s. It was one of the earliest places in Britain to operate an electric tramway, namely a 3ft 6ins gauge line running 1.25 miles along the pier from 1890 until 1978, originally using trains of 4-wheel 'Toastrack' trams and replaced in 1949 by four trains of 7-car long 4-wheeled saloons.

Replaced in 1986 by a 3 feet gauge line operated by two 7-car 55hp diesel units built by Severn Lamb and a 3-axle battery railcar for winter use. Southend Pier is officially 'The Longest Pleasure Pier in the World' and has had three major fires - the most recent was October 2005 destroying the Pier Head (or South) railway station and surrounding shops, bars and restaurants. Part of the pier head walkway now doubles as the station platform.

Various items of the pier's history, including an original 1890 'Toastrack' car and 1949-built PCC-influenced cars are preserved in the Southend Pier Museum below the Shore (or North) Railway Station.

(image 65648) (202k, 1044x788) Country: United Kingdom City: Southend-on-Sea, Essex System: Southend Pier Railway Photo by: Dave Carson Date: 10/7/2006 Notes: Mid-point passing loop showing steel-sleepered track, signalling and illuminations. Viewed (this week/total): 2 / 541	(image 65649) (193k, 1044x788) Country: United Kingdom City: Southend-on-Sea, Essex System: Southend Pier Railway Photo by: Dave Carson Date: 10/7/2006 Notes: 1986 Severn-Lamb 7-car diesel train B at the temporary South (Pier Head) station which is shared with the walkway. Viewed (this week/total): 2 / 562	(image 65275) (192k, 1044x788) Country: United Kingdom City: Southend-on-Sea, Essex System: Southend Pier Railway Photo by: Dave Carson Date: 10/7/2006 Notes: One of the 1986 built Severn-Lamb diesel train in new blue livery so named after the Mayor of Southend of the 1830's who proposed the original Southend Pier. Viewed (this week/total): 2 / 564	(image 65646) (202k, 1044x788) Country: United Kingdom City: Southend-on-Sea, Essex System: Southend Cliff Lift Photo by: Dave Carson Date: 10/7/2006 Notes: The only funicular railway in Eastern England is the Southend Cliff Lift, built in 1912, it is 130 feet long and climbs 57 feet. The single car runs on 4ft 6in gauge track with a 1ft 9in gauge counterbalance beneath the main track. Viewed (this week/total): 3 / 489
(image 65647) (205k, 1044x788) Country: United Kingdom City: Southend-on-Sea, Essex System: Southend Pier Railway Photo by: Dave Carson Date: 10/7/2006 Notes: Shore Station (officially known as North Station) with train A named Sir John Betjeman in platform. Viewed (this week/total): 1 / 489	(image 67256) (179k, 1044x788) Country: United Kingdom City: Southend-on-Sea, Essex System: Southend Cliff Lift Photo by: Dave Carson Date: 10/7/2006 Notes: Cliff lift car, closeup. Viewed (this week/total): 0 / 339	(image 67259) (179k, 1044x788) Country: United Kingdom City: Southend-on-Sea, Essex System: Southend Pier Railway Photo by: Dave Carson Date: 10/7/2006 Notes: Train in north station. Viewed (this week/total): 2 / 369	(image 65273) (179k, 1044x788) Country: United Kingdom City: Southend-on-Sea, Essex System: Southend Pier Railway Photo by: Dave Carson Date: 1/14/2006 Notes: Pier Head Station (officially known as South Station) destroyed by the October 2005 fire. Viewed (this week/total): 1 / 466
(image 65274) (30k, 520x356) Country: United Kingdom City: Southend-on-Sea, Essex System: Southend Pier Railway Collection of: Dave Carson Notes: A 1986 Severn-Lamb diesel train in original maroon livery along the pier. Viewed (this week/total): 2 / 501