THERE’S no doubt Southend’s Pier and its train are one of, if not the, crowing jewels in our seafront that draw millions of visitors, families and daytrippers year on year.

As works are underway for new trains to help carry visitors along the landmark, we look back at the history.

The first railway that kept the attraction going was on the original wooden pier and it welcomed customers from 1846.

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Crowds - our seafront pier has pulled in crowds for decades

Unlike today’s electric trains, it used hand propelled carts, running on a single wooden track. On days when the wind was blustery, a sail powered cart would be used. The railway was used until 1873.

Perhaps expectedly, a horse drawn pier train followed this, visitors and families boarded three box-like wagons and a flat carriage at the rear.

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History - an early image of Southend Pier with lots of daytrippers

This new train was hauled the length of the pier by two powerful horses, while daytrippers delighted in the views and short trip.

This was in service from 1873 until around 1888.

Almost 100 years later, trains were to return to the pier in 1986 when two seven Severn-Lamb built were bought.

The two trains were originally presented in “inferno red” but after the pier head fire of 2005 both trains were re-painted blue.

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Waiting - families watching the trains go along the pier

In January it was announced that construction of the new pier trains is set to begin mid-2020, with plans in place to replace the existing trains anticipated to take place next year.

The council set aside £3.25m in the 2019/20 budget to complete the work.

Warwickshire-based company Severn Lamb announced it had secured a contract with Southend Council to build the new trains – and bosses promised they will be “eco-friendly” and cheaper to run.

Severn Lamb was behind the two existing diesel trains which were opened by Princess Anne in May 1986.