After many hours sorting and editing my Archive VHS videos here is Part 2 of the changes that took place at Spalding in the 1980s, I hope you enjoy watching.
Roy, absolutely enjoying these videos. It's a credit to you for having the forward thinking to document this for posterity. The quality of the recording is amazing for its age. I'm hoping my recent series of videos documenting the developments of the 5th platform for Stevenage and the associated re-working of Langley junction will be views in the same way 30 or 40 years from now.
Once again Roy an excellent video, as always no forward thinking of the BR board at the time. l know the manpower of manual signalling is high but after watching the documentaries on Kings cross and Paddington and seeing the delays and cancellations that state of the art signalling brings(which would have been avoided with manual boxes) makes you wonder if it is really cost affective after paying compansation to the affected passengers. Thank you again Roy for posting and bringing back many happy memories, Paul.
People like you who took the time all those years ago to record these times are are godsend. For me now at 46 and always local to Spalding, seeing my childhood is astounding. Thankyou so so much for taking me back, it’s great. Seeing how the area was and is now is astonishing.
Thanks for sharing this Roy, Another master piece of video & great footage, bar the demolition, rather unceremoniously, of the signal box. Plus how different it looks with out the 2 loops now, i guess like everything, it was called progress, same as today :(
Yes it was very sad to see the way that the Signal Box was removed, it was very difficult for me with memories of the many hours I had spent working there in the 1960's.
Great video Roy! Sad to see this former important railway junction become what is in essence a 2 track railway with a 2 platform station. It did look in a sad and sorry state in the build up to the work, but if what they did has helped the fortunes of the joint line then so be it. Even if the traffic is dominated by 66's on freightliner trains! Even to this day I think the demise of Spalding to March was a huge mistake as the Werrington dive under must be a costly business and unnecessary if that line had been retained...
Another great film from back in the day. Great to see the hst's on a diversion via Spalding, in their original livery. Your footage is priceless. Again sad to see the contraction of the railway around Spalding at that time. I think the future of Spalding looks much more positive. It would be great to see a loop of track reinstated of what is now a defunct platform face as traffic increases on the line. It still baffles me how much the railway was demolished back then because at the time everyone was going to have a car and drive. We moan about how useless politicians are. But back then they were absolute idiots. What were they taking.
Not a chance, I suspect. I grew up right opposite the railway station, overlooking the wilderness of overgrown old platforms. All the old platforms are demolished and there is a mini estate there now.
Great historical video there, Roy. Sad to see a once great station getting systematically pulled apart like that. My local station - Beccles in Suffolk - went through the same thing in the early 1960s (before my time before you ask). Our issue wasn't Beeching - it was Norwich. Anyway, here's a link to an early 1900's OS map of Spalding station for us outsiders to get an idea how big the station was back then. At the bottom of the search panel you can overlay current satellite imaging over the map; makes an interesting comparison... maps.nls.uk/geo/explore/#zoom=16&lat=52.78911&lon=-0.15654&layers=168&b=1 ( via the excellent National Library of Scotland website )
Only a matter of time before they rationalise the far platform layout and sell that land off for more housing, with the new houses backing right onto the rear of the far platform. (Might even be plans to do that as I write this.)
Quite sad to see the bridge and No.2 being unsentimentally demolished like that. Thanks for sharing.
Very sad indeed
Roy, absolutely enjoying these videos. It's a credit to you for having the forward thinking to document this for posterity. The quality of the recording is amazing for its age. I'm hoping my recent series of videos documenting the developments of the 5th platform for Stevenage and the associated re-working of Langley junction will be views in the same way 30 or 40 years from now.
Again fabulous memories Roy. Just makes me realise how boring today’s railway’s are, to me anyway. Thanks
Health and safety officers please look away now! Fabulous video.
Fabulous.. it brings back memories to see a ford capri and a Vauxhall chevet .
Once again Roy an excellent video, as always no forward thinking of the BR board at the time. l know the manpower of manual signalling is high but after watching the documentaries on Kings cross and Paddington and seeing the delays and cancellations that state of the art signalling brings(which would have been avoided with manual boxes) makes you wonder if it is really cost affective after paying compansation to the affected passengers. Thank you again Roy for posting and bringing back many happy memories, Paul.
People like you who took the time all those years ago to record these times are are godsend. For me now at 46 and always local to Spalding, seeing my childhood is astounding. Thankyou so so much for taking me back, it’s great. Seeing how the area was and is now is astonishing.
Many thanks for your kind words.
Thanks, Roy, another great video which has really helped me see how big Spalding once was.
Not been to Spalding since the early 80s, looks like massive changes have taken place. Excellent video.
Glad you enjoyed it
No.2 box had stood proud for so many years, she wasn't going to give up without a fight!
Thanks for sharing this Roy, Another master piece of video & great footage, bar the demolition, rather unceremoniously, of the signal box. Plus how different it looks with out the 2 loops now, i guess like everything, it was called progress, same as today :(
Yes it was very sad to see the way that the Signal Box was removed, it was very difficult for me with memories of the many hours I had spent working there in the 1960's.
A very different world back then.
Thanks for posting this footage it's a goldmine of information!
Glad it was helpful!
I agree with the previous comment. You guys who went and recorded these scenes are absolute legends. Without you, we’d have to rely on memory only. 🍻
Thanks!
Great video Roy!
Sad to see this former important railway junction become what is in essence a 2 track railway with a 2 platform station.
It did look in a sad and sorry state in the build up to the work, but if what they did has helped the fortunes of the joint line then so be it.
Even if the traffic is dominated by 66's on freightliner trains!
Even to this day I think the demise of Spalding to March was a huge mistake as the Werrington dive under must be a costly business and unnecessary if that line had been retained...
Thank you Michael, most will agree with you on the March line.
Another great film from back in the day. Great to see the hst's on a diversion via Spalding, in their original livery. Your footage is priceless. Again sad to see the contraction of the railway around Spalding at that time. I think the future of Spalding looks much more positive. It would be great to see a loop of track reinstated of what is now a defunct platform face as traffic increases on the line.
It still baffles me how much the railway was demolished back then because at the time everyone was going to have a car and drive. We moan about how useless politicians are. But back then they were absolute idiots. What were they taking.
Not a chance, I suspect. I grew up right opposite the railway station, overlooking the wilderness of overgrown old platforms. All the old platforms are demolished and there is a mini estate there now.
Although looking at Google, I see what you mean. Does look like there is room to sneak a line in....
Great historical video there, Roy. Sad to see a once great station getting systematically pulled apart like that. My local station - Beccles in Suffolk - went through the same thing in the early 1960s (before my time before you ask). Our issue wasn't Beeching - it was Norwich.
Anyway, here's a link to an early 1900's OS map of Spalding station for us outsiders to get an idea how big the station was back then. At the bottom of the search panel you can overlay current satellite imaging over the map; makes an interesting comparison...
maps.nls.uk/geo/explore/#zoom=16&lat=52.78911&lon=-0.15654&layers=168&b=1
( via the excellent National Library of Scotland website )
Only a matter of time before they rationalise the far platform layout and sell that land off for more housing, with the new houses backing right onto the rear of the far platform. (Might even be plans to do that as I write this.)
You mean more than they already have done? Doesn't look like there is room to me...
What a shame seeing that footage being dismantled it was certainly built to last..
Looks like the ECML was having some work done around the end of January as well with all the diverts on.
so sad to see the destruction at least t he box put up a fight to the last, shows built to last
That must have been difficult for you to watch that No.2 box being smashed like that, Roy.
Great footage. Shame to see that signal box go.
Thanks.
Not a hard hat and in some cases HV clothing in sight, a different world then!
Yes, a world of common sense where you where still allowed to use your own brain and logic.
Was the Geest branch still being used?
Yes it was at that time Mark.
Was the HST a divert of the ecml?
Yes they are ECML Diversions.
Another reminder of why to never vote Tory