HA930154 – Photographic Print, Brighton Station Redle’s ‘Invincible’, W Edward Wright, c1880

Part of the One Minute Wonders trail, a story written by one of our volunteers, inspired by objects on display.

By Mark Benson

This is a black and white photograph of Brighton railway station. We see train platforms, locomotives, and the newly installed roof.

This photograph is from 1882. Just like today, Brighton was a train station with rail lines to London and along the South Coast. How did you get to Brighton today, was it by train?

Over time, Brighton became a popular seaside destination. Tourists would disembark, flock to the piers, go dipping in the sea, and lounge upon the beach.

The railway enabled tourists from all over the country to visit Brighton and allowed the public to travel further and faster than ever before.

The next time you are at Brighton Station, observe its Victorian architecture and the glazed roof which still exists today.