Who’d have thought back then the 73s would still be around in this day and age. Not only in Tonbridge and the south but in the whole country. Amazing loco.
Spent many an hour around Tonbridge station when I was young. Mind you this was long before this film was taken. I remember bunking of school at Sussex Rd, hiding in the long grass opposite, the, what was then the lever box to watch the the Bullied Pacific’s make a slippery start around the Hildenborough curve. We were schooled to the the continual noise of the 0-6-0 shutters making up trains in the goods yard. Ah, those were the days. Thanks for sharing. All the best. Mick.
What great footage! It makes me wish I'd paid more attention to diesel activity when it was there instead of sneering at at it because it wasn't steam. Now its all gone.
Impressive work. As a Southern man from early 70s good to see film of our work horses 4 Ceps. Interesting to see the footage of the train pull up at the London end of Tonbridge station and the workman get out the cab and make his Way to the platform. Authorised walking route ?…. Thanks and take care.
Lovely video. We were spoilt for choice with great loco's back then.. not like the boring bland ones of today. Loved the way he Buffered up gently, 33 to 73,,, quality. Thanks for posting.
Thank's Ian, and yes certainly not the same these days although quite a different variety of rolling stock these days! I hope you have been watching some of my other stuff!
As a train spotter from the 80's, I can say that freight was almost exclusively hauled in this area by 33's and 73's. Occasionally a '47 would appear and that was exciting. Never tired of watching them, and listening to that Sulzer sound of the 33's though. I grew up in Paddock Wood but I regularly visited Tonbridge with my spotter books. A visit to the West Yard bridge would throw up some 08 and 09 shunters of Course and the odd 'exotic' visitor, like a '37 (rare). it was also a good place to get the Eastleigh 33's and 73's as they would rarely venture beyond the yard down to my hometown station of Paddock Wood, but hauled freight into and out of the yard down the Redhill line onto the western part of the Southern network.
Awesome video,be interesting to know where the civil engineers( Dutch) livery class 56 came from and what depot during its time was stationed at.i know the 33s,73s were Stewart's lanes engines.
Brilliant stuff. Ah plenty of memories there, my local spot in 80's/90's. Thats monday, i was there on the weds foting the 47's haha. First days of the 37 route-learning there, and the civils 56's were a daily feature by then. Cant believe its that long ago they quadrupled the track up to Barden Park rd bridge for the impending Eurostars lol! Dont time fly cripes!! Quality stuff sir, i shall watch it again now :D
Thank you sir for your nice words! I think that was my only visit there as well although in those days with the good old NSE Card ? I did travel quite a bit around the NSE area! I hope you have been enjoying some of my other stuff!
Who’d have thought back then the 73s would still be around in this day and age. Not only in Tonbridge and the south but in the whole country. Amazing loco.
Yes for sure and an interesting decision to re engine some of them for use on the Highland Sleepers!
A taste of old southern region action. Loved it.
Thanks very much and glad you enjoyed and I hope you are enjoying my other stuff!
probably my favourite tonbridge video the golden years long gone dutch 73 looks awesome thx for sharing and filming cheers
Thank you and glad you enjoyed!
Spent many an hour around Tonbridge station when I was young. Mind you this was long before this film was taken. I remember bunking of school at Sussex Rd, hiding in the long grass opposite, the, what was then the lever box to watch the the Bullied Pacific’s make a slippery start around the Hildenborough curve. We were schooled to the the continual noise of the 0-6-0 shutters making up trains in the goods yard. Ah, those were the days. Thanks for sharing. All the best. Mick.
Thanks, Mick, certainly wasn't like the good old days that you would have seen but so much better than 2day of course!
Spent many a day in the seventies train spotting the freight trains with the Q1s pulling amazing loads
The Q1 was a steam loco? 60's maybe?
What great footage! It makes me wish I'd paid more attention to diesel activity when it was there instead of sneering at at it because it wasn't steam. Now its all gone.
Thank you very much. Likewise I wish I had done a lot more and been to a few other places that I didn't quite manage over that period!
Impressive work. As a Southern man from early 70s good to see film of our work horses 4 Ceps. Interesting to see the footage of the train pull up at the London end of Tonbridge station and the workman get out the cab and make his Way to the platform. Authorised walking route ?…. Thanks and take care.
I guess dropping off some extra crew and I'm sure there must be authorised routes with the 3rd rail there!
Lovely video. We were spoilt for choice with great loco's back then.. not like the boring bland ones of today.
Loved the way he Buffered up gently, 33 to 73,,, quality.
Thanks for posting.
Thank's Ian, and yes certainly not the same these days although quite a different variety of rolling stock these days!
I hope you have been watching some of my other stuff!
As a train spotter from the 80's, I can say that freight was almost exclusively hauled in this area by 33's and 73's. Occasionally a '47 would appear and that was exciting. Never tired of watching them, and listening to that Sulzer sound of the 33's though. I grew up in Paddock Wood but I regularly visited Tonbridge with my spotter books. A visit to the West Yard bridge would throw up some 08 and 09 shunters of Course and the odd 'exotic' visitor, like a '37 (rare). it was also a good place to get the Eastleigh 33's and 73's as they would rarely venture beyond the yard down to my hometown station of Paddock Wood, but hauled freight into and out of the yard down the Redhill line onto the western part of the Southern network.
Never went spotting at Tonbridge. Wish I did. Superb footage
Thanks David, not sure I ever went there again without checking my records!
Hope you have seen some of my other stuff!
Paekok Station Master yea watched all of your 90s British Rail videos. A great reminder of my 90s spotting days
Following a hiatus at the end of the 80s the Cromptons were on a roll and having fun😊
Yes seemed to be everywhere at this time!
Awesome video,be interesting to know where the civil engineers( Dutch) livery class 56 came from and what depot during its time was stationed at.i know the 33s,73s were Stewart's lanes engines.
Good question and didn't expect to see one there that's for sure!
Way to much super elevation of that bend !
I'm not sure it's as elevated as it seems, maybe just the angle?
Brilliant stuff. Ah plenty of memories there, my local spot in 80's/90's. Thats monday, i was there on the weds foting the 47's haha. First days of the 37 route-learning there, and the civils 56's were a daily feature by then. Cant believe its that long ago they quadrupled the track up to Barden Park rd bridge for the impending Eurostars lol! Dont time fly cripes!! Quality stuff sir, i shall watch it again now :D
Thank you sir for your nice words!
I think that was my only visit there as well although in those days with the good old NSE Card ? I did travel quite a bit around the NSE area!
I hope you have been enjoying some of my other stuff!
That was a slightly enthusiastic mating with that class 73 @ 6:35.
Good spotting although it looked like a pretty soft couple he just came in pretty fast!
I was living in weskill bride back then 🇬🇧
Great to see third rail electric freight locos. Freight companies nowadays cant be bothered with electric freight despite its lower costs
Some of those Class 73's have now been refurbished with bigger diesel engines and now are used to haul the Scotrail Sleepers off the wires!
Hi,
Just wondering if you have anymore footage of Tonbridge that you could share please?
Thanks
Carl
Hi Carl , pretty sure that is the only trip I made down to Tonbridge!