An electric train called the Daddy Longlegs that ran on stilts on underwater rails

[Anonymous]

In the book entitled "I Didn't Know That Some Trains Run on Water (I Didn't Know That)" by Kate Petty it talks about an electric train in 1896 that ran in water. My daughter has read the book (which is available on Amazon.com) and asked me if I ever read about the electric "Daddy Longlegs" train that ran on stilts on underwater rails in 1896. We would like to know more about this train (and pictures maybe), but haven't had any luck. Do you know anything about this train?

Anyone who knows anything about this train?

Gerry

[Anonymous]

That is one on me. [:(]

Never heard of such a thing. [B)]

Mudchicken
Vic
Jim
Ed

Any of you know of this? If so, I guess I am really behind the ol 8 ball. [;)]

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by gerrymack

In the book entitled "I Didn't Know That Some Trains Run on Water (I Didn't Know That)" by Kate Petty it talks about an electric train in 1896 that ran in water. My daughter has read the book (which is available on Amazon.com) and asked me if I ever read about the electric "Daddy Longlegs" train that ran on stilts on underwater rails in 1896. We would like to know more about this train (and pictures maybe), but haven't had any luck. Do you know anything about this train?

Anyone who knows anything about this train?

Gerry

I did a web search and after going through 10 pages of spiders gave up. I did see the book on the book store list but it didn't give any clues about the water train. But you will have some people "looking" now. lol [}:)] [;)] [:D]

[M636C]

Guys,

This was built as a tourist attraction at an English seaside resort, I think Brighton. I have a vague recollection that it was built by Magnus Volk, who also started a conventional electric line along the shore about the same time. The car consisted of a platform (with an enclosed cabin) on a steel pier which was mounted on four wheels which ran on a broad gauge track. I think it collected power from an overhead line, but the electric motors driving the wheels were mounted on the passenger platform and drove through long shafts and bevel gears (hopefully enclosed in watertight gearboxes). I think it ran from one of the piers, then used for entertainment as much as catching boats, possibly to another pier. I think that at low tide, the rails were exposed, which allowed a certain amount of inspection and maintenance.

I don't think it lasted a long time, and I think services were stopped during rough seas for safety reasons. It was probably built, in the spirit of the time, to show that it could be done.

Peter

[Anonymous]

EUREKA . . . . I FOUND IT ( thanks to Peter for the leads) [:D] [;)] [:D]


http://www.mybrightonandhove.org.uk/daddy_longlegs_history.htm

Now you can find it too.

ENJOY [:p] [:)] [:D]

[Anonymous]

That must have been something to see. Yes, the 1890's was a time when people's main philosophy was, "Never mind whether it has any reason to be done, all that matters is that it CAN be done."

[jchnhtfd]

Brighton is right. The dang thing even had a life boat! I've an old postcard of it somewhere... now where do you suppose... I'll find it some year.

A good storm took it out of service -- permanently -- only a year or two after it opened.

Amazing the wacky contraptions that were built... and still are being built... !

[Anonymous]

Amazing. It looks very unstable. I don't think I would want to on it in rough or semi-rough seas.