Southend Pier railway is world record breaker!

20th September 2012

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Southend’s world famous Pier now has a world record breaking railway!

The town’s iconic 1.34-mile landmark has won just won a coveted place in the 2013 edition of the Guinness Book of Records for having the longest pleasure pier railway.

This latest accolade crowns a momentous season for the Pier, with the opening of the acclaimed new Cultural Centre at the Pier head this summer.

Southend-on-Sea Borough Council’s Executive Councillor for Culture and Tourism, Councillor Derek Jarvis said: “We are thrilled by this achievement, because we’re told that only eight per cent of the records collected, go on to be featured in the actual Guinness Book of Records.

“It is yet another way to help keep Southend and its well-loved heritage in the public eye.

“Southend Pier welcomes around 250,000 visitors each year, and this August with the arrival of the new Cultural Centre, 60,000 visitors came – the highest number since 2007.

“The Cultural Centre, which was launched with a highly successful comedy festival, is hosting a huge range of performances – including its first art exhibition starting on Wednesday 26th September.”

Pier facts:

Southend’s present iron pier was first opened in 1889 and was extended in 1898 to accommodate the increased number steamboats visiting the Pier.

An upper deck opened in 1908, further extensions were completed in 1927, and the final addition in 1929, stretched it to 1.34 miles making it the Longest Pleasure Pier in the World.

The electric tramway installed by Cromptons opened in 1890 with toast-rack type car. After several further developments, in 1949 the rolling stock was replaced with four new London-Underground-style trains.

In 1978 the electric railway stopped due to track deterioration and high repair costs, but it was re-launched in 1986 with two new trains on a single track with a passing loop.

For more details of events at the Centre, please visit: www.visitsouthend.co.uk

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