Your Cine Films are a jewel in the crown.

Thankyou Alan and Heather, I lived in Groombridge and travelled daily to East Grinstead to attend the Grammar school there by this branch line from 1957 = 1962. I visited A.A.Milne's farm in Hartfield and played Pooh sticks off the same bridge that Christopher Robin did, The Rolling Stones later bought that farm and Brian Jones died there. In the mid 50's my Mum took me out of school one day and we went to High Rocks Halt where we saw Richard Greene and the cast of Robin Hood filming a tv episode among the rock outcropping that gave the place its name. I live in Vancouver Canada now and your video has brought me right back home, ta very much.

Alan, another superb archival film recording the declining days of the Tunbridge Wells West, East Grinstead and Oxted network. Brilliant narration too. Thank you so very much for sharing this with us.

@AlanSnowdonArchive

2 жыл бұрын

It adds a lot to my declining years, to read a response like yours, many thanks.

A great film that brings back many memories. I lived at Oxted in the 60's and travelled up and down the line many times, to London, and Lewes to get the train to Newhaven for the cross channel ferry. Those were the days.

Thank you for a lovely Film which bought back such lovely Memories. I remember travelling on this Line in the late 60's as I lived in Lewes worked at Battersea on the Railway and it was often used as a diversionary Route if there were Problems on the Brighton Line. The Train would be composed of BR MK 1 Coaches with a Green Class 33 muttering away in front. Happy Days

It is great to see Ashurst Junction where we now live. Thanks for the upload.

Nice SECR birdcage coaches. Some even ended up in Hampshire out western lines.

Alan, many thanks for this and your other videos. Great records of past railway operations and good commentaries from Heather.

I used to travel between Birmingham and London by train . There used to be 3 lines serving the 2 cities in the late 50s and early 60s. (1) New Street & Euston, (2) Snow Hill & Paddington (3) ? I forget now. May be some one may enlighten me! I used to alternate my travels among these 3 lines as they went through interesting towns and cities.

@tobysummers471

5 жыл бұрын

Both went from Paddington although I think some went via the GWR via Oxford and some went over the Joint Line shared with the GC via High Wycombe etc to Birmingham and Wolverhampton etc using Paddington via the New North Mainline via Greenford these days a single track line. I think from Marylebone traditionally the GC terminus did have services to Birmingham. The GC diverged onto the joint line at Neasden and back on to the GC at Ashendon Junction.

Thank you very nice films and in supermarket cafe biggest bacon sandwich at oxted station and Elmer end station Croydon tramlink use part of, old railway at Elmer end station the tram use one of platform I was born in 1961 do remember these steam train old diesel electric train and slammed doors train and railway have changed in history I enjoyed watching your videos well done 1st class thank you

love the way it is spoken in detail thanks am

great memories thanks . I worked there in the early 70.s

I remember Gloucester Rd Signal Box and the similar Norwood Jnc and Forest Hill too, all long gone

@edwardbarnes2702

10 ай бұрын

Remember it too, did part of my second man training there as train logger, you really had to be on your toes, really old school guys there.🤓

Thank you, Alan, for a massive boost of nostalgia for a line I knew well and commuted on for years. I was particularly pleased to hear, and very briefly see, mention of Thornton Heath station, a place where I spent many happy hours as a youngster watching the shunting activities in the coal yard on the north-east side of the station - to the left of your video. Your commentary mentions the goods yard to the south-west (now an Iceland supermarket), but there is no mention of the much bigger coal yard which has disappeared beneath a Tesco supermarket. After 60-odd years, I have modelled the station and goods yard, but cannot for the life of me remember the class of the shunter which operated in the coal yard. I think it was an 0-6-0 tank, but if you, or anyone else can correct me on this, I shall be most grateful. In your video, there is a blurry locomotive and tender to the left of the cameraman where the entrance to the coal yard would be, but the running number is not visible. Any ideas?

@haroonq2456

Жыл бұрын

hello

Thanks for that, been looking at a georefrencing map of the railways recently and it’s interesting to see the junction at Groombridge actually in use, similar in configuration to the Hastings line/Eastbourne branch at Polegate

Fascinating look back in time ! thank you so much , have liked and subscribed :o)

I know this route like the back of my hand and have many B&W photos, one taken from inside Riddlesdown Tunnel in 1958. A bit naughty but I got away with it. In the 50's there was quite a variety of locos, even Brighton Atlantics. Rush-hour trains were 8 coaches and it took hard work to get that lot on the move up the gradients especially at Riddlesdown and Woldingham where there is no break in the gradient (1 in 100). Thanks for a nice video and a knowledgable commentary.

@Rosie6857

4 жыл бұрын

@Percy Harry HotspurYes, there's nothing as boring as a BR4 Standard 2-6-4T. I preferred the Fairburns - at least they had a bit of charisma, and a stunningly loud and sharp exhaust on starting. There were a number of Ivatt Class 2-6-2Ts as well The only LBSC locos I saw were Brighton Atlantics on the "fast" (non-stop E Croydon to Oxted), a K on one up train that had come via Horsted Keynes and a C2X on the evening pickup goods. E4's were around at E Grinstead for the Three Bridges to Tunbridge Wells trains I have a log of a run with an I3 on an 8-coach train in 1947. It's in O S Nock's British Locomotives from the Footplate. The performance was impressive even though the loco was necessarily given a bit of a flogging to which it responded rather well and time was kept. There were other Southern locos - the excellent U1's, the odd Q 0-6-0 and a number of L's, D1's and E1's. Like the I3's, these 4-4-0's had to be given a bit of a pasting - full regulator from the word go. I never saw any slipping, probably because when it was wet I didn't go and "watch the trains".

Brilliant video.

RAILWAY GOSSIP OF THIS ROUTE ! Selsdon Station 2:37 (1st station on the 2 track line after South Croydon Junc), did NOT as stated close in 1963 except for Oxted line trains. It remained open until the early 1980's for the Electric (shuttle) service from Elmers End to Sanderstead 2:54. Where by the age of 10, I was helping "Uncle Bob" the Sanderstead signalman, pull the levers ! The box was on the Down platform, at the other end of the platform canopy from the footbridge. Briefly at 3:04 can be seen the view (under the road overbridge) when starting from Sanderstead. The stiff gradient can be clearly seen to begin here. It continued for around 5 miles climbing into the North Downs, until entering Oxted tunnel. The crossover also seen under the bridge, was for the Electric trains to reverse here, as this was the limit of the 3rd rail at this time. Note: The 3rd rail only continues on the Down line (which the train is on) for about 250yds up the gradient. There being NO 3rd rail on the Up line beyond the crossover as seen. At 3:55. A VERY RARE shot of an Automatic Intermediate Block 2 aspect colour light signal, on the Down Platform at Riddlesdown Station. Clearly revealed by the white panel with a vertical Black line, attached to the signal post. The white Diamond also seen indicates modification to Rule 55/Section K of the rule book. It means the track is track circuited up to this position, so the signalman has a constant reminder of a trains presence waiting at the signal. Even though the signalman was a couple of miles away in Upper Warlingham (Station) mechanical box. So the requirement to contact the signalman is extended from 3 to 8 minutes. However there was also a rule that said that a Driver could pass an Intermediate Block signal at Red, (after an inordinate wait), blast the Horn & proceed at caution. But a further rule also stated you can't pass an Intermediate signal at red under any circumstance, if there is a tunnel ahead ! About 200yds past this signal is Riddlesdown tunnel, over half a mile long. And this signal had no signal post telephone at this date. (Steam was replaced by DEMU's from May 1963) !! 4:16 Riddlesdown Viaduct over a Chalk Quarry. What they don't mention in this film, is the "NUDIST colony", hidden in the trees beyond the Quarry. Which reveals the real reason the trains always slowed down going over the viaduct !!! 5:30 Woldingham station, "Stockbroker belt". Also the home of a well known & very beautiful 1970's Knave Magazine centre page spread, named Tinika, who lived in a sumptuous 10 bedroom family home! She was also on an "A" level course at the then Croydon Tech, at the time I was doing an HND in Mechanical Engineering !!!! 9:30 East Grinstead. Home of DR. BEECHING. The "Great & Good Doctor" as Gerald Fiennes (A then BR Board Director) referred to him in his book "I tried to run a Railway" which resulted in a huge Political Storm. Transport Minister Barbara Castle sacked Gerry Feinnes, because of his books sarcastic remarks about Dr. Beeching. She was then immediately sacked herself by the PM Harold Wilson, for exceeding her authority. And then a staunch ASLEF Train Drivers Unionist from South Wales chained himself to the fence of No 10. In SUPPORT of Gerry Feinnes, as Quote "one of the best railwaymen this country has ever had" Unquote. The TV & Daily Press had a field day. The soon to follow election, went against Labour, & the public finally began to wake up to the Political hacking of Britain's Railways. Meanwhile the wicked Doctor closed the Three Bridges-East Grinstead-Groombridge section, as his house backed onto this railway line. So the value of his property soared. But then a few years later, the County Council realised this now disused line would make a wonderful excuse for a bypass. And Beeching who opposed this bypass, was finally hoist by his own petard, and the value of his property dropped considerably, as the wider bypass also took a little of Beeching's garden !!!

@michaelhearn3052

Жыл бұрын

Beeching did not close any lines; but he was one of the BR staff responsible for writing a report on un-remunerative lines; which was based on the results of a nationwide survey undertaken by BR on passenger use in April 1962 (IIRC). At the time BR was running a deficit of some £150 million in the red and something had to be done about it. The report was issued in 1963, a copy is available to be viewed on The Railways Archive web site. Closures were dealt with in a process detailed in the 1962 Transport Act, in which the Minister of Transport would, after a period of consultation, give notice that an unremunerative line would close. This changed in 1966 when the Network for Development Plans were issued and BR were made responsible for closures. The Three Bridges to East Grinstead to T/ Wells west line was closed in 1966 by Castle. Beeching had already left office the previous May 1965 having resigned, having given a years notice that he would be doing this to the relevant Minister. SO arguably the line was mentioned in his report as being unremunerative. Interestingly, one part of that line operated in profit, but the other half did not. But they closed it all. Beeching lived in a house in an area called Brockhurst, his house was called Little Manor along the Lewes Road, south of East Grinstead. This house is adjacent to the Lewes Road and is nowhere near to the route of the old East Grinstead to T/Wells West section of the line. It was up for sale recently link here assets.savills.com/properties/GBHHRSHYS180101/HYS180101_HYS18001687.PDF Yes, Google maps shows that there is a substantial property that does back onto the old railway line, which house it is: Brockhurst, Apple Croft, Greenacres or Home farm I cannot say, but suspect it may be Home Farm as that name on the sign seen from the Lewes Road. Perhaps someone with local knowledge knows, for which we would all be grateful. The by-pass that you cite when built, was nowhere near to Beechings home at all. Indeed it was in part of the centre of the town carrying the A22 road from the Station to a location near to Sackville School. So I am not sure where your information comes from.

I look forward to seeing film of Brighton to Tonbridge via Uckfield

@AlanSnowdonArchive

6 жыл бұрын

Sorry, I can't help you.

An actual ex-East Grinstead born poster here,can just remember the 'old' high level station and if history tells use anything THINK LONG TERM. The E/G to Three Bridges along with Uck to Lewes and seriously think LONG TERM Horsted Keynes to H/H connected these Victorians knew what they were doing.

@steamsearcher

6 жыл бұрын

Unfortunately, as I seem to spend money on Live Steam models in 5-inch gauge, this leaves little left for a high powered car of £50,000 plus? Yes, driving in this area seems to upset local residents! Perhaps returning the railways would help us both!! The car now 11 years old will only do the speed limit I am afraid!!!

Another great video. Your wife is a great narrator..Any chance of doing a video on the ex LSWR lines west of Exeter..Please.

Brilliant and what a terrible waste.

HI we come from the city MY dad done 36 years on the victoria line as a driver ' we lived in Battersea stewarts rd ,stewarts lane near nine Elms ..he used to take me over stewarts lane a lot i was very young ,, HE drove lots of classes of trains i know 'he frequented royal Tunbridge wells A lot .. id like to know WHAT Class of loco is being used then from victoria ?? , I,E to tunbridge wells on the south run , ,, anyone know .. ? thanks

@anthonykeep929

3 жыл бұрын

In BR days especially 1950s up to 1963, Standard class 4 2-6-4 tanks and to 1960 Fairburn 2-6-4 tanks . As trains became heavier other classes of locomotives were drafted in , Schools class 4-4-0 , standard class 4 4-6-0 75000 series appeared on rush hour trains.In addition the the heaviest train of the day was the 6.10pm Victoria-Oxted - Uckfield - Lewes hauled by a Bulleid pacific class West Country/Battle of Britain usually loaded to 9 coaches. Stewarts Lane shed had Standard 4 tanks , Fairburn tanks , and Standard 4-6-0s especially allocated for the Oxted line. Other locos which worked the Oxted Line came from Bricklayers Arms, Three Bridges, Tunbridge Wells West, Tonbridge and Brighton.

What a great pity this interesting documentary wasn’t made a few years earlier for then the trains might’ve been seen with real Brighton locos like the I3 4:4:2T…tank engines and even the two 4:6:2T J1 and J2 beautiful tank engines… Many thanks anyway…

Should re open all these lines, its a travesty.

@Mike_Anton

6 жыл бұрын

These rural lines were loosing money the moment motor vehicles became more affordable and people want convenience and flexibility. Now there is be a good argument for reinstating the EGC - TBD link based on population but in 2007 the local council would only entertain converting it into a road.