Southend pier train on track with Red Wheel Plaque

August 28, 2017 by SBC

Tuesday 29th August 2017

Southend Pier has been awarded the prestigious Red Wheel Plaque, in recognition of the historical importance of the pier and its iconic pier train.

The Red Wheel Plaque, which is awarded by the Transport Trust, was placed proudly in the pier entrance on Tuesday 15 August.

The Red Wheel Plaques are given to sites or locations with significant transport heritage, and the pier train follows famous transport links such as the Metropolitan Railway, Baker Street Station, the world’s first underground railway line, Victoria Coach Station, the largest coach station in Britain, and Gloucester Docks, Britain’s best preserved 19th century inland port.

Cllr Ann Holland, Executive Councillor for Culture, Tourism and the Economy, said: “With thousands of visitors flocking to Southend to see the famous world’s longest pier, it is great to see the pier and its trains receiving the recognition they deserve.

“It is a great honour to receive this plaque, which goes a long way in showing the historical importance of the pier and its trains.”

Jon Jolliffe, Office Manager and Webmaster for the Transport Trust, said: “The Transport Trust is pleased to recognise Southend Pier as a site of historic transport heritage celebrated by this plaque, familiarly known as a "Red Wheel". The scheme has run since 2009 and Southend marks site no 91 in our list.”

Having been originally constructed in 1888, the pier railway gives visitors, who may not be up to the 1.34 mile walk, an opportunity to relax on the train to and from the end of the pier.

The plaque is located upstairs in the pier entrance, next to the glass doors.