Burlington had begun to look ahead and clearly he had made up his mind to go forward with development, and in the late 1840s he persuaded the London, Brighton and South Coast Railway to extend their line from Polegate; on 14th May 1849 the first locomotive steamed into Eastbourne Station to the strains of Behold the Conquering Hero Comes, and celebrations including toasts, speeches, the greasy pole and fireworks lasted from dawn to dusk. Sadly, the railway did not bring with it instant success, and the Earl s dogged confidence was put to the test for another decade or so.

Cornfield Terrace in 1852

The arms of the London, Brighton
and South Coast Railway

In 1851, the Burlington Hotel was begun and, with growing opposition, the Earl subsequently sanctioned work to commence on Cavendish Place and Victoria Place. Alas, tenants were not forthcoming and this building work dragged on, with the result that the builders, faced with little prospect of new agreements, were in financial difficulty. The Earl was unable to recoup his losses and additionally had to support the builders with the substantial sum of £37,000.