Playground Express (Children’s Film Foundation)

Children sing as they travel by train towards Peter Pan's Playground. In the foreground runs Volks Electric Railway along the seafront in Brighton, Sussex with the Palace Pier stretching into the English Channel beyond.

Viewed from Marine Parade. (SD)

The train's bell clangs as the journey continues beside Madeira Drive. The narrow gauge Volk's Electric Railway (VER) opened in 1883 and has become the oldest operational electric railway in the world.

Viewed from the second crossing to the east of the Aquarium Station. (SD)

Facing eastward from the VER train with Madeira Drive, Madeira Hall and Madeira Terrace on the left with the lift that takes passengers up to Marine Parade King's Cliff to the top left.

This section of track was re-laid in 2007 to accommodate the construction of the Yellowave volleyball courts. (SD)

At the playground, Peter Butterworth the Manager takes in the air before unlocking the gates. Peter Pan's Playground on Madeira Drive, Brighton.

Peter Pan's Playground was completely removed by 2004. The entrance would have been here. (SD)

Disturbed by the singing Children whilst working on his speech for the International Swimming Race, Mr. Crossington (Humphrey Kent) gets annoyed.

In the background is the west arm of Brighton Marina. (SD)

The train pulls into a station. This is Halfway station adjacent to Peter Pan's Playground on Madeira Drive.

The Halfway station has lost its canopy. (SD)

After Mr. Crossington forbids them to enter the playground, the Children head towards a nearby fun fair. In the right background are the steps that descend from Marine Parade King's Cliff to Madeira Drive.

The crossing at the end of the Halfway station platform. (SD)

Peter helps a little Girl get out of one of the rides. This is the Jig Saw Railway with Madeira Terrace as the background.

The playground, which is on this site, has retained the name but is now the Peter Pan Play Area. (SD)

Still irritated by the happy Children, Mr. Crossington calls to Peter Butterworth to remove them.

Facing the Halfway station from the entrance to the Jungle Rumble beach bar. (SD)

Climbing into one of the ride's cars, Mr. Crossington pursues Peter around the track. The Jig Saw Railway on Madeira Drive in Brighton.

The Peter Pan Play Area during a quiet period. (SD)

Mr. Crossington follows Peter and the Children to a roundabout. Facing west with Madeira Drive to the right.

On this site is now Jungle Rumble Adventure Golf. (SD)

The playground Manager and the Children move on from the roundabout leaving Mr. Crossington struggling to untangle himself.

Closer to the fence of Jungle Rumble Adventure Golf. (SD)

Peter Pan's Playground on Madeira Drive with properties on Marine Parade King's Cliff to the top left.

This section of the playground is now a paved area beside the Volk's Railway workshop. (SD)

Mr. Butterworth supervises the Youngsters as they enter the Junior Roller Rink. To the left, across Madeira Drive, stands Madeira Hall with Madeira Terrace above.

The entrance to the Junior Roller Rink has been replaced by the Yellowave volleyball court with the re-laid Volk's Railway track running alongside. Madeira Hall is now Concorde 2, a live music venue. (SD)

Looking towards Peter Pan's Playground on Madeira Drive with Palace Pier in the right distance.

The volleyball court viewed from Marine Parade. The original viewpoint would have been the upper level of Madeira Terrace which is currently fenced off and derelict. (SD)

Although told that only children are allowed, Mr. Crossington enters the rink where the the Children surround him. Peter Pan's Junior Skating Rink in Brighton.

This section of the skating rink is now between the volleyball court and the Sea Lanes beachfront development which opened in 2023. (SD)

Mr. Butterworth leads the Children to Johnstone's Midgets. Johnstone's Midgets were pedal powered cars and miniature coaches at the Madeira Drive site.

The site of Johnstone's Midgets is now mostly covered by the Sea Lanes beachfront development. This is number 8, Wood X Coal. (SD)

Climbing into one of the cars to give chase, Mr. Crossington swerves in front of Peter. Johnstone's Midgets at Peter Pan's Playground with the single track of Volk's Electric Railway to the left.

Facing away from the Sea Lanes modular units from beside number 01, Paddle People. The structure on the left is a bathing station.

Taking the playground key from Peter, Mr. Crossington drives from the track and heads along the seafront. Madeira Drive below Marine Parade King's Cliff.

Facing away from the crossing near to the Volk's Railway workshop. (SD)

Peter and the Children climb aboard a waiting train as Mr. Crossington drives towards the pool where the International Swimming Race is taking place. Madeira Drive with Duke's Mound in the background.

Viewed from beside gates of the crossing. (SD)

With Mr. Butterworth at the controls, the Children set off in pursuit. This is the VER depot with Halfway station visible through the open gates.

The new workshop was built in 2016. (SD)

The Youngsters cheer as the train gains on Mr. Crossington. To the left stand the public lavatories on Madeira Drive beneath the steps leading up to Duke's Mound.

Viewed from beside the track, with the train disappearing into the distance. (SD)

Everyone on board the train looks back as they overtake Mr. Crossington. To the east of the VER passing loop between Halfway and Black Rock stations with Madeira Drive on the right.

The passing loop seen from the nearby crossing. (SD)

Turning around, Mr. Butterworth sees another train coming in the opposite direction and brings his train to a halt in the loop. The passing loop between Halfway and Black Rock stations with the lido at Black Rock in the distance.

The passing loop viewed from over the fence, with Brighton Marina seen in the background. (SD)

While the train is at a stand, Mr. Crossington gets away. Madeira Drive below the Esplanade in Brighton, adjacent to the VER's Black Rock terminus.

This area is currently being redeveloped. The former Blackrock Swimming pool site has remained abandoned for forty-five years since the swimming pool was demolished in 1979. (SD)

The camera follows Mr. Crossington as he heads towards the swimming pool's car park. Outside the entrance to Black Rock Swimming Pool on Madeira Drive, Brighton.

Mr. Crossington parks the miniature car. The car park outside Black Rock Swimming Pool.

Arriving at the station, Mr. Butterworth and the Children make their way to the swimming pool. To the right stands the VER's Black Rock terminus on Madeira Drive.

In the late 1990's the line needed to be shortened by 211 feet to allow for the building of a storm water storage system. The station was demolished and replaced by a new single platform station which opened in 1998. (SD)

Saying "hello" to Peter, the Gatekeeper allows the Children into the swimming pool. The entrance to Black Rock Swimming Pool on Madeira Drive.

Inside the lido, the International Swimming Race is about to begin. Black Rock Swimming Pool at the eastern end of Madeira Drive.

The audience watch as the Contestants prepare themselves for the free-style race. The background building is Marine Gate, a block of flats on Marine Drive that dates from 1939.

Cheering Children run behind Mr. Crossington as he heads towards the pool, followed by Peter who dives into the water as the starting whistle sounds. Constructed in 1936, the Art Deco lido closed in 1978 and was demolished in 1979.

Walking up to the Mayor and Judges after climbing out of the pool, Peter is handed the winner's cup by Mr. Crossington.

Angered that the cup has been given to the wrong person, the Swimmers converge on Mr. Crossington. More of Marine Gate, in the background, can be seen in 'The Big Switch' and 'The Double'.

The Contestants carry Mr. Crossington the the pool and throw him in.

Peter and the Children board the train back to the playground. Looking towards the Volk's Electric Railway's Black Rock terminus and Black Rock Swimming Pool from Marine Parade King's Cliff above The Esplanade in Brighton, Sussex.

The 1998 terminus building can now be seen, and in the background is Brighton Marina which opened in 1979. (SD)