Used to travel the line from Ross to Gloucester regularly and now and again to Hereford as a 'lad'. The Monmouth branch from Ross was at the bottom of our road. There was a daily freight to Cinderford right up to the closure if I remember rightly. The line from Hereford to Gloucester was used regularly as a divert when the Severn Tunnel was closed for maintenance. A young spotty spotters dream as Castles, Halls and Counties regularly passed through Ross on those weekends. In the days before high viz and clipboards, the signalman would always give us lads a heads up when there was a busy divert weekend. Thanks for the memories.👍

Cofferdams are built in the river wye for the bridge supports.

@pwhitewick

4 жыл бұрын

Thank you, might need to google that!

@philgray8811

4 жыл бұрын

@@pwhitewick Sometimes they used compressors to raise the air pressure inside the cofferdam to keep the water out... depends how deep they had to go to hit the river bottom. Potentially very hazardous conditions.

@hullhistorynerd

4 жыл бұрын

@@pwhitewick I've also only just learned about cofferdams, in my case it's been because I'm doing a series about docks and of course cofferdams are used in their construction. I was like, "how did I not know anything at all about these things?"

@cogidubnus1953

4 жыл бұрын

@@hullhistorynerd Check out piles too...no, not that kind of piles!

@sidewaysaction9983

4 жыл бұрын

Casesons not sure on the spelling, I think it was the first understanding and treatment of the Benz not sure on that spelling either.

Bellingham Tunnel completed 🚂🚂👍👍

Good edit and use of music. Caisson/Cofferdams is the word you're looking for Paul! Like Rebecca's giggle at the chickens!

@pwhitewick

4 жыл бұрын

Haha.... Thanks Dave, they followed us for an age.

Gawd, that little white dwelling close to the viaduct . . . Living there would be like living in a Victorian poem. I would do nothing but read, write and go for long walks. Even that B&B looks like something out of a fairytale. Nice work, as always.

@pwhitewick

4 жыл бұрын

Thanks Hubert. I did mean to look into that little white house... (I.e the history etc). Never got around to it but I agree with your plan of action

@grahamx8623

3 жыл бұрын

We had the dubious pleasure of meeting the occupant of the little white cottage. He made it very clear that we were no longer on the public footpath and should return from whence we came. We only wanted to see the viaduct. Seems living close to paradise isn't enough to lift some people gloomy demeanor. I love this channel especially Gloucestershire and Herefordshire. The canal between these two places would make a great video.

@hubertvancalenbergh9022

3 жыл бұрын

@@grahamx8623 Seclusion does that to people. He obviously was afraid his little palace might become a tourist hot spot. Either that or he was mortally afeared outsiders might bring ye Plague.

Thank you God bless

The old Engine shed is still standing in Ross on Wye, as others mentioned building viaduct piers used cofferdams, or metal shoes, there is a photo of Larpool Viaduct at Whitby, showing a metal shoe being sunk through the mud at the bottom of the river, with a diver ready to clear out old trees and rocks etc, they built the brick piers on top of the shoes.

@boldford

4 жыл бұрын

From Wikipedia "The Severn Valley Railway station at Kidderminster Town is based on the design for Ross-on-Wye even down to the decorative cast roof crestings; the patterns for which were derived from measurement of segments of the original ones."

Interesting watch as always guys keep up the good work.

Your videos are always very entertaining 👍🏻 look forward to watching more.

Another super video by the two of you.

Another excellent video. Really well edited - map views, music and good old British countryside. You two are great!

Great vlog guys with a lovely find at the end. Many thanks for your really interesting vlogs.

well done guys , great as ever.

Great video Paul and Rebecca,love the disused station series of videos, definitely need to get that station cleared, what a wonderful piece of history,I'm watching you from my hotel room in Tenerife,it's beautiful weather here,not missing the rain lol, looking forward to seeing your next video 👌😀👍

Great gate, I like it too. Nice video.

This episode was sponsored by Wickes as after the opening monologue, Paul said at 6:46 when in the potato field that the area had had a "wickes worth of rain fall" ;-0) Another cracking vid guys :-)

@pwhitewick

4 жыл бұрын

Haha.... Now if Wickes wanted to sponsor us I am sure we could find more

@dilwyn1

4 жыл бұрын

Yep .. As always, most informative and interesting ... Missed the "Wickes" pun but maybe tools ETC are now flooding into the Whitewicks residence!!!!

I like your style , very sturdy lol , better than some of the one's i have had to negotiate with a full bergen on . Another great video

Great Vid again .... i live in this area now and am fascinated by this line

Absolutely loved that. Do hope that area gets done it would be fabulous. Loved the adventure, thanks for taking me along

@pwhitewick

4 жыл бұрын

Thanks Linda, yup that would be such a great project.

Really great to follow this video, your production has got insanely better.

Sherlock Holmes and Dr Watson arrived at Ross-on-Wye Station in 'The Boscombe Valley Mystery'!! Herefordshire is a beautiful county; hope you both had a lovely time exploring. Best as always, Peter A :)

@pwhitewick

4 жыл бұрын

Ooooh well I wish we knew that!

Very enjoyable! Thankyou!

Hi Paul and Rebecca, another great railway explore and one I have looked at many times. I believe when this railway was first opened it was built in broad gauge but was converted to standard gauge in later years, but it just goes to show how we used to get things done in those days because the change from broad gauge to standard gauge was done in "one week." I wonder how long it would take today lol. Love the videos looking forward to the next one.

@pwhitewick

4 жыл бұрын

Hi Richard. Yes most conversions of lines took around a week for this type of length. Its not surprising that things back in the day were quicker, very few rights for the navvies and labourers of the time and not a huge amount of regard for human life. Thankfully times have changed for the better.

I admire your determination- your vids make an old man happy!

@chrisstephens6673

4 жыл бұрын

Or a happy man old. All that exercise in the cold and wet.😯

Nice history video 🚂🚶🏼‍♂️🚶🏼‍♀️

Definitely loved Holme Lacey Station! Great video, shame about the mud!

Another excellent video. 👍👍 Love how much infrastructure is still in place many years after closure.

@pwhitewick

4 жыл бұрын

Yes me too. Especially such magnificent ones as these bridges!

hi, colin here, loving your efforts, cant wait till you get into Scottish lost stations.

I love looking at this beautiful English Countryside so different from what I'm used to seeing here in West Texas best to you my friends

@pwhitewick

4 жыл бұрын

Thanks Patrick, glad you are enjoying the scenery and the videos.

Hello Whitewicks, fantastic video, Holme Lacy Station platform had large slabs of stone which when it closed with most the fixings their were auctioned off, these stone slabs are now up the road in Shipley Gardens, the owner has laid them out as his patio outside his house overlooking the gardens (beautiful place well worth a visit just for the peacocks, overgrown covered swimming pool, tea and cakes).

Nice video, keep them coming, save's me a lot of walking...!

@pwhitewick

4 жыл бұрын

Always a pleasure Tony.

Great aerial footage. Great video all-round.

@pwhitewick

4 жыл бұрын

Thank you!

Hi, thoroughly enjoyed watching , your journey, shame that they have been left , so much history. As a young girl, I could hear the trains at Holme Lacy station. Unfortunately I never got to use them, and, yes, would be great, if some of these stations, could be brought back to life, if only for the history and nostalgia , . Thankyou.

We're only in February and you've found my entry for the top ten of 2020! Holme Lacy. How surreal are those gates. Staggered they're still in situ. Great vid. Thanks.

@pwhitewick

4 жыл бұрын

Absolutely Russ. I was thinking that as we walked up and down. A definite candidate

Great video again, Looking forward to the next one, Just like to say if you get the chance to go back to Ross, There is a large goods shed still standing quite near toolstation, and there is a very old broad gauge engine shed still standing,Well worth seeing, also smack bang in the middle of ross is the remains of a bridge that crossed the road with lots a railway relics placed with it, well worth seeing,

Brilliant vid - really nice part of the country...

@pwhitewick

4 жыл бұрын

Yep. I very much enjoyed our time on the Wye.

Glad you made it to holme lacy we used to clear it when I was at college there and further down on track bed we made benches etc overlooking the river but all that seems to have stopped

For the folk of Holme Lacey - check out what the local community has done in Honing, Norfolk, great little restored station with the remains of some buildings still there. Or Great Yeldham in Essex where the platforms have been cleared recently.

Wonderful viaducts and plenty of history on that line. It certainly would be good if the local community made the most of the remnants of Holme Lacey station. Great video as always. GWR

@pwhitewick

4 жыл бұрын

I'd really like to hope that it my be on someone's mind.

Loved those gates...

You have my admiration for slogging it out across all that mud. Great country side. Would like to see it in the spring.

@pwhitewick

4 жыл бұрын

Cheers John, yup we thought twice about it thats for sure!

i never even knew there was a station in Holme Lacy, i live in Hereford. You learn something new every day.

@pwhitewick

4 жыл бұрын

Lots of potential too!

Another excellent video... Live on the outskirts of Hereford and walked this line many times. The Ballingham tunnel ( north portal) is reachable from the bridge you drove under near the stables? The Holme lacy station there is a weigh bridge there and renements of the gents toilets. Your video's are so much better then the new series on ch 5 recently.. Keep up the good work

Bridge foundations in rivers are normally built from within a coffer dam.

Yet another excellent video. Thank you Paul and Rebecca for showing us more of our forgotten railway history. My suggestion for a great video would be Loftus-Whitby-Scarborough. Wonderful line and parts are very open to walk along with some remaining stations and the beautiful Larpool Viaduct. Keep up the great work please......

@pwhitewick

4 жыл бұрын

Thank you, weather being well thats our plan next weekend

@leec2317

4 жыл бұрын

@@pwhitewick Excellent, good luck on the weather 🤞 Let me know if you have any questions, accommodation etc, I'm originally from that area.

Coffer dams is what you were searching for - or possibly "coffee" dams in your case!!!!! Good you ended on a high note plus a good B & W always adds to your excellent trips.

@pwhitewick

4 жыл бұрын

Coffee Dams sounds really good!

Thanks for this video very interesting thank you

Great presenters, great choice of railway, fab music what's not to like

@pwhitewick

4 жыл бұрын

Thank you 👍

Great videos you two. You were so close to Ballingham Tunnel northern portal. It's right next to the stone bridge you drove under. The tunnel is open and you can walk all the way through to where the Airbnb is at the other end.

I have just watched your peace about ross to hereford railway and have enjoyed it very much. I have memories of traveling on this line from ross to hereford in the 1950's with my mother and the country side is absolutely stunning and the local people would get on with produce to sell in the market in hereford . the railway tickets where oblong in shape with the destination on it and the price on it I think the fare was 2 shillings and 11 pence but I may be wrong , and another memorie have is having a cup of tea and a chelsea bun at the buffet room on hereford station . I can still hear the whistle and noise and motion of the steam train and also in the carriage there was always a selection photographs of the area we where passing through

@suzyqualcast6269

Жыл бұрын

Can't beat real memories !

Another great video! I've always thought the Wye Valley is so beautiful and I'm sure if the lines had survived they'd be in the same scenic lines league as the Heart of Wales Line and Conwy Valley. Talking of heritage centers, there's a perfect example of that at Irlam Railway Station in Greater Manchester, not a disused station but it makes you think why can't we have more railway stations like this. Disused or not disused!

@pwhitewick

4 жыл бұрын

Thanks Henry. Yes we saw Irlam when we did the Cadishead Viaduct.

Squelchy one this week 😳. The wye was well up after the rain too . Love the drone shots 👌🏼. Congratulations on the “ Creators on the rise “ on KZread 🤩🧱👍🏽

Herefordshire is such a beautiful county!

Well done you guys, You have stirred many fond memories ! I grew up in Ross on wye and know all of the stations that you mentioned. My mum used to take my brother and i to Hereford using the train - can clearly remember the heat from the engine as it pulled into Ross station. We used to go to the station on saturday morning to see a special carriage of pigeons being released (racing) feathers, noise and crap everywhere - we loved it. The station building was a wonderful structure - so sad that it was demolished, the engine shed is now used as a antiques centre. At the bottom of brampton hill you will find the remains of the bridge that carried the line out of town towards the river. On a nice day walk alongside the river to backney bridge. This is a lovely area to explore, you must go back in late spring.

@pwhitewick

4 жыл бұрын

Thanks for sharing Rod. Lovely memories.

@pryland1

4 жыл бұрын

Rod Dix Well there’s a blast from the the past. Hi Rod. Last I heard you had migrated to Cornwall. Peter Ryland.

@rossmagpie

4 жыл бұрын

..and still the memories keep going, Peter and Rod - and Mr. and Mrs. Whitewick of course.. ..me thinks the antique centre is now a garden centre as Baileys moved beyond Bridstow.. ..trainspotting was a delight - the 13.50 to Hereford and all that - even a Warship on the Sunday diversions..here in Yorkieland we're more concerned with the pathetic timekeeping and cancellation of our trains..Northern, TPE and LNER you know who you are.. ..I could even watch trains from my primary school at Sellack, along with the floods of course.. ..great series Paul and Rebecca..along with all your other friends, All the Stations, Calling all Stations etc etc etc..

@roddix7230

4 жыл бұрын

@@pryland1 Hello Pete Ryland, what a suprise !!! yes I did migrate to cornwall for a long period but 20 years ago I moved to the french alpes near Geneva. Now rattling between uk and France on projects. Sold my business 10 years ago and retired, Started another and now busier than ever !! Do you still live around the Lea area ?? best regards rod dix (ex xerox apprentice clock no 5000)

@pryland1

4 жыл бұрын

Rod Dix Sounds like you are in a very nice part of the world. I used to visit a business acquaintance in Annecy - beautiful place. I went into business with my brother providing machine tool automation primarily to the aerospace industry. A few years ago someone made us an offer for the business that we couldn’t refuse so now retired and living in Devon. Good to hear from you. All the best, Peter.

Well done Mr. & Mrs. W for another interesting vid. Hope the boots stood up to the mud.

@pwhitewick

4 жыл бұрын

Thanks Neil. Boots where very very good!

Another excellent vid in challenging conditions. Hope the boots didn’t leak.

Classic episode this week, stations in a mix of states, viaducts and various shots of Paul not quite getting to where you planned- what's not to like! (Though obviously much better prepared in the footwear department than this time last year...)

Ballingham Northern portal is fairly easy to get too. Approach it through the field that meets the road/bridge along the hedge line then down into the cutting.

Been to that area, was stationed at RAF Hereford for around 3 weeks back in 1971

Thanks for braving the mud to show us these places. I was worried that you would sink into the bog and disappear.

@pwhitewick

4 жыл бұрын

That field was a concern for sure....

Super little piece. Interesting how both viaducts look as if they were single track, judging by the tops of the piers. Lovely design. Still waiting for you to explore the old line through Wharram Percy, complete with tunnel, industrial archaeology, and deserted Medieval village. What more could you ask!!! Keep up the good work 👍

@pwhitewick

4 жыл бұрын

Ah thanks Colin. Remind me where Wharram Percy is?

@ColinH1973

4 жыл бұрын

North Yorkshire Wolds, on the former Malton To Driffield line which was closed in 1958. The tunnel is called Burdale Tunnel and exits near to Wharram Percy. There's a lovely pub nearby in Thixendale that does accommodation I believe. Good hunting!!👍

The concrete tops of the bridge pillars almost certainly date from when the original wooden spans were replaced with plate girders.

I think Fawley tunnel had to have some work completed recently, some of the stone work was in need of repair and bat droppings had to be removed after a buildup of gases were discovered. The one viaduct crossing the Wye not shown was Strangford, the one pillar washed away in a flood and had to be repaired so the pillars are not equal if I remember correctly,

Another interesting video folks. Pity about not getting to some tunnel mouths and station sites.

A wonderful video. What a shame that only the viaduct pillars are left standing. The Wye Valley = modern tourist trap. What a fabulous heritage way the railway trackbed would have made,

11:53. The gates are so atmospheric.

Out of competition 🙌🏽

Hi Paul and Rebecca, I stumbled upon your website by accident via a Google search a couple of days ago and have since watched every video you have produced, I love the way you do these, factual without being boring and in a lighthearted manner. Keep up the good work, one more subscriber added !

@pwhitewick

4 жыл бұрын

Welcome Chris. Glad you are enjoying the channel

@MrChristof10

4 жыл бұрын

@@pwhitewick Thanks, I certainly am, I wonder if you would consider exploring the Devizes adandoned line near me, a few sections walkable and quess what a TUNNEL in Devizes its self.

@pwhitewick

4 жыл бұрын

@@MrChristof10 ah yes. Isn't the tunnel a shooting range (or whatever the phrase is?)

@MrChristof10

4 жыл бұрын

@@pwhitewick Yes it was a shooting club, a former member I believe was Michael Ryan of the Hungerford shooting massacre fame.

On the subject of land owners, permission, etc. I know someone who lives in a house that is built on top of a dismantled railway at Theddingworth, Leicestershire (Rugby to Market Harborough line), it is right next to the old Theddingworth station which is now converted into a house, I don't know the people at the station house but my family still live in the village, I am sure investigations could be made. An interesting feature nearby as Husbands Bosworth is where this line crosses over the top of a grand union canal tunnel. Nowhere near this video location but just an offer for the future if useful any time.

I used to go to those area when I was a kids (Tintern were a popular spot for the miniature railways), not learnt of the railway further up north of the River Wye.

Brilliant vid

@pwhitewick

4 жыл бұрын

Thanks Kim. Much appreciated

Great video again. A single track line between two large towns. I don't believe there are any left in the midlands which were always single track.

Hi guys enjoyed the vblog. Not to far away from the shire did you get to see the old engine shed in Ross on wye. All the best Lee.

Ballingham south is actually easy to get to as there is a path running alongside the b & b, I went yesterday and got some photos.

Hidden gem with the old railway gate and platforms

Do the Wye Valley from Monmouth to Chepstow. Tintern has a great old station made into a nice place to visit.

Living in Australia , I've never heard of this , and other , lines but I find your videos very interesting. Carry On.

@bermudarailway

4 жыл бұрын

There are some interesting tunnels to explore in Helensburgh about an hour south of Sydney.Watch on KZread "Ghost tunnel tourist ."

@JalanBax

4 жыл бұрын

On the Motorway 50 Ross

Try the Ross to Monmouth line, there is a full station hidden in an industrial site and they may well let you visit if you ask the site guard. Plus tunnels and at least one other station building is still in situ. parts of the line are in valleys remote from any road and also site of filming for Harry Potter. I lived there and it is a magic place to be. Much looks left in situ in the hope of the line being rebuilt - and it may well.

I agree with Tim Gray, Crystal Palace High Level station, it has 2 tunnels on the line, it had 3 other stations and the piece de resistance “The Subway under Crystal Palace parade” is a must, I do believe that you can get permission to see it.

Another brilliant video! Been on that line a few times. I went to Ballingham tunnel last month but leading up to the portal was impassable due to the amount of bog. Will be back soon for another investigate soon. Been many times and is always impressive. Its easy to get to if the ground is dry. By the way what is the song around 7:09ish? Too good

Never stop making these vids, please :)

@pwhitewick

4 жыл бұрын

Thanks Dan, we have no plans to stop!

I have been through Ballingham tunnels a few times . It's fantastic but takes some trudging through mud and undergrowth even in the Summer. Only been from the South portal. It's over I km long pretty creepy when your phone torch runs out half way through. Would be happy to show you the best route in the Summer.

Good thing you had your Wellies, Paul. By the way, I watched this video before I received the notification.

@pwhitewick

4 жыл бұрын

Haha... Thank you.

I recommend the Golden Valley Railway from Pontrilas to Hay-on-Wye in western Herefordshire

@pwhitewick

4 жыл бұрын

Thank you Tony

At Ross there are two old buildings remaining one each direction along the road to where you were an engine shed and a works area, one is now a garden centre the other a vehicle servicing depot. The Fawley tunnel was supposedly the steepest tunnel in the UK and also one of the wettest often needing an additional engine to get trains through. The tunnel is blocked up each end and falling debris has been heard. Ballingham tunnel was blocked in at the Hereford end but this was removed at some point to remove the ballast. I have walked to about half way along it and as it is one a curve you can only see one end most of the time. There has been work on stabilising the tunnel in the last 10 or so years to keep it safe. Backney the embankment was removed for materials and the cutting was used as rubbish dump.

@pwhitewick

4 жыл бұрын

Thanks for the Information Ian. Very helpful. We do intend to go back to the area someday soon again!

At the start of this video in Ross on Wye if you'd had gone to you're left up the road and around the bend you would have seen the old engine shed still standing. Great video really interesting.

@pwhitewick

4 жыл бұрын

Sadly we learnt this after filming, always try and do as much research as we can about locations but frustratingly we missed this.

@richardflowers9517

4 жыл бұрын

Nevermind perhaps you could look at it if you come back someday and trace the old railway in the opposite direction towards the Forest of Dean and beyond .Great videos keep up the good work .

Ever considered the old line from Limpley Stoke to Camberton? The line used in the”Titfield Thunderbolt.”

Ballingham tunnel is actually really easy to get to and enter

@paulneades2858

2 жыл бұрын

There is a Geocache in the Ballingham Tunnel and you can easily gain access

Well researched as always amazing history. You might like to look at Old Nottingham pictures group on Facebook lot's of station pictures and tunnels 😊

Nice...👍

The way of building supports in rivers is to construct a “Caisson “ (water tight retaining structure) so operatives can work below water level in a dry environment

guys ballingham tunnel is very easy to get to, you were very very close but somehow missed the way down the embankment, its very shallow at the start, and the tunnel is very impressive and long!, did a band photoshoot down there..

Do Uplawmoor in Scotland, Royal Train was parked there on a Queens visit to Glasgow in the sixties after the station was shut. Plenty of relics on that line.

@pwhitewick

4 жыл бұрын

We've a few Scottish trips planned for the summer. Watch this space.

Another cracking video both ! perhaps your next series should be Britain's wonky styles !!!

Back in the mid 1970s, a schoolfriend had one of the big signs from Ballingdon station in his garden. I think his dad was a railwayman.

In ross you can see more. The garden centre has something to do with the railway and more in town you can see more structures.

They used to have a metal container to dig into river bed can't think of its name but it was a French name and it was sealed with pressure pumped in to keep water out while they dug but the prob with that the navies got the Benz .....thanks great vids

I used to catch the train at Backney Holt to go to college in Hereford.

Backney had a deep cutting after the station that led out onto Strangford viaduct. It was infilled with landfill after closure,. If you go to the top of the bank there is a railway bridge that is in the middle of a field... That's why! Ha

@pwhitewick

4 жыл бұрын

Ah yes we did see that in our research but where sadly short on time

I live near the old leap gate railway line in stourport. There is a tunnel at burlish.