Thanks for posting this, thanks for keeping the memory of the GCR alive. The fact we had a north to south mainline in this country (which still had so much potential) and just threw it away is beyond frustrating and angering
Brilliant. It was still something you could walk across when I first moved there in 1977. But the walls were low and it was a dodgy and dangerous structure. My late Father was furious when they knocked it down. Great video, thanks.
Being born in 1976, I was too young to ever be taken to see this magnificent structure before it was demolished 2 years later. Watching videos like this makes me very sad that I never got to see it, and angry that this beautiful Victorian masterpiece was just erased from the landscape.
Brackley Viaduct was substantially built and wasn't easy to demolish. Apparently it took a few goes with explosives, as the first attempt failed to have any effect. It might have been cheaper to leave it standing. The A43 bypass now crosses through the site. The GCR London Extension might have survived, if only in part, if it had remained under the management of BR Eastern Region. Once control was transferred to London Midland Region, the attitude was somewhat different. BR/LMR already had existing main lines to the North and North West; it did not want or need a third one which effectively competed with the Midland line from St. Pancras.
A superb video with some great historic references. I can't begin to imagine the thoughts of the locals when that was being built in 1897-99, it looks so futuristic they must have thought aliens were landing!!! I've been up by the remains of the viaduct and got some great photos, then called in at Brackley Station for a coffee, it remains one of my favourite days out.
Only got to be on a train twice going over Brackley viaduct, but saw it every schoolday for 5 years from the school rugby pitches. So sad to see the dereliction left behind. And for what? So they could build HS2 a stones throw away.
Loved that trip out. What an amazing walk. I'm going to explore this route and get some footage of my own. Thank you very much for sharing this. I loved the level of detail and the knowledge you have about the area. Top job! 👍👍
Incredible waste, especially given its extremely short life. On the HS2 thing - I've seen it said that a key factor in the GCML's downfall was that it served fewer urban communities along its route than the MML. Somewhat perverse then that the new high-speed mainline has no stops _at all_ between London and the Midlands.
Thanks for posting this, thanks for keeping the memory of the GCR alive. The fact we had a north to south mainline in this country (which still had so much potential) and just threw it away is beyond frustrating and angering
thanks for the support and glad you have enjoyed watching.
Brilliant. It was still something you could walk across when I first moved there in 1977. But the walls were low and it was a dodgy and dangerous structure. My late Father was furious when they knocked it down. Great video, thanks.
Being born in 1976, I was too young to ever be taken to see this magnificent structure before it was demolished 2 years later.
Watching videos like this makes me very sad that I never got to see it, and angry that this beautiful Victorian masterpiece was just erased from the landscape.
Brackley Viaduct was substantially built and wasn't easy to demolish. Apparently it took a few goes with explosives, as the first attempt failed to have any effect. It might have been cheaper to leave it standing. The A43 bypass now crosses through the site.
The GCR London Extension might have survived, if only in part, if it had remained under the management of BR Eastern Region. Once control was transferred to London Midland Region, the attitude was somewhat different. BR/LMR already had existing main lines to the North and North West; it did not want or need a third one which effectively competed with the Midland line from St. Pancras.
A superb video with some great historic references. I can't begin to imagine the thoughts of the locals when that was being built in 1897-99, it looks so futuristic they must have thought aliens were landing!!! I've been up by the remains of the viaduct and got some great photos, then called in at Brackley Station for a coffee, it remains one of my favourite days out.
Glad you enjoyed it
1:02 - That photo is particularly sad
Only got to be on a train twice going over Brackley viaduct, but saw it every schoolday for 5 years from the school rugby pitches. So sad to see the dereliction left behind. And for what? So they could build HS2 a stones throw away.
Loved that trip out. What an amazing walk. I'm going to explore this route and get some footage of my own.
Thank you very much for sharing this. I loved the level of detail and the knowledge you have about the area.
Top job! 👍👍
Thank you for a useful trip down Memory Lane.
Super video as always. Thank you.
Utterly short sighted distruction of infrastructure.
Exactly
Could not agree more.
I enjoyed watching. Thanks for posting. 'Hope you don't mind that I snagged one of your pics lol.
Which picture?
@@NWP_EXPLORING 15:24
How did you get up there? I live in the old town very close but don't know where to start to get up there
from dale close
@@NWP_EXPLORING thankyou, so literally go over the white fence😊
Neil do you have the photo of the woman in the dress on the viaduct? I saw it on your vids and can’t find it.
If you are on Facebook it’s in the Brackley railway group
I think the residents have extended there gardens might be worth mentioning it to the council as its public land, and they have stolen it!
The telltale Heras fencing heralds the arrival of yet more poorly built, yet grossly overpriced housing.
Could have become a nice rural trail like the former Midland Railway in central Derbyshire. Shame!
Great video. Seems such a waste ; all the effort and skill went into building the GCR only to be demolished a few decades later. Now the HS2 ?
Totally agree
Incredible waste, especially given its extremely short life.
On the HS2 thing - I've seen it said that a key factor in the GCML's downfall was that it served fewer urban communities along its route than the MML. Somewhat perverse then that the new high-speed mainline has no stops _at all_ between London and the Midlands.