I've seen that viaduct from the Carlisle to Newcastle line and often wondered about it. So it was wonderful to see this film and the line in operation. So glad you captured it before 'progress' swept it away. But also, so sad to see what once was and know that it's now all gone.
A great tragedy the line was closed. A beautiful route...It would have been a great tourist attraction these days. Great memories from when I used to travel up to Alston every Saturday to see my Grandparents.
Wonderful film. I’ve often wondered what that railway route looked like when it was active. We were left a wonderful railway network legacy which would have been more than relevant and viable today. We stupidly destroyed most of it because of sheer shortsightedness. The Keswick line is another that should never have closed.
I have really enjoyed the film about the Barnard Castle Line and the Stainmore Rout as it brings back memories. I t was on the 7th January 1964 that I arrived from our Regimental Depot in Preston to join my battalion at Deerbolt Camp at Barnard Castle. I once crossed the viaduct over the River Tees, which, at that time had been reduced to a single line for Middleton. Many is the time in those two years that i hitch-hiked along the '66 to Brough and then to Kirby Stephen. Our camp was close to Deepdale Beck and I remember once going running up the beck and seeing what was left of the viaduct, which was only the bases of the pillars.
My grandfather used to drive the DMUs along that line, and I think steam locos before that, based out of Blaydon shed. Took the second last train out of Alston on closure day.
Thank you once again Alan and Heather, and thank heavens you had the foresight to make these films back in the 1960s when 8mm film was an expensive commodity! As always, Heather's commentary is well researched and informative. I too am looking forward to the next installment!
Another excellent vintage trip...many thanks to Alan and Heather. Yet another example of a branch line that should not have closed....the Bridport branch here in Dorset is also much missed. Best wishes. Rob.
@@AlanSnowdonArchive chanced across your videos (pics on disused railways site). Just curious .. are you our cousin Alan, great uncle Joe's son ? Siblings Brian and the late Jean ? (and so, uncle to Susan). If so, haven't met since Jean's funeral. Mum (Jean), and her sister Jenny (Australia) are both still going. 90 and 86
After closing the line, the powers that be generously built an 'all-weather' road up to Alston. During its first winter, the road was closed due to snow, and the town was once again cut off.
I wouldnt class myself as a railway enthusiast but i love to learn the hisory of places ive visited through work or holiday the tyndale valley is amongst the most gorgeous scenery ul find in the uk .
This may be a good place to mention that after the next one I upload, hopefully withn a few days, there will have to be a pause for probably a few weeks while I attend to some important matters at home. BUT please be assured that there are more railway journey videos to come. Maybe in Europe too.
I was on a scout expedition in 1974, navigating by map in low mist and continuous rain. We hadn't seen a road or another person for hours. Out from the gloom we saw a train, a multiple unit . It came and went quickly. It took us by surprise,and we joked that it must have been a ghost train. It is now.
Allston stayed up there unfortunately the train they set up as a little heritage ride wasn't running and had to wait for the snow to melt before we could leave. Heck of a hairpin road up there too.
Slaggyford did originally have a passing loop, and a platform on the eastern side too. You can see the weed-covered platform as the train makes the journey north. Obviously the infrastructure was removed to cut costs prior to 1963. Lambley seems to have always been single-track. Perhaps it made things simpler for the private branch.
I rode this line as a lad in 1976 and I had the DMU pretty much to myself the whole way. I think one man got on at Coanwood and I remember the oil lamps there.
My dad used to work at Alston foundry during the second world war where he stayed. He told me that once after a dance in Haltwhistle he and his companions missed the last bus to Alston so drunkenly walked back along the railway as it was quicker than the road.
Ah driver had the blinds down in the Cab .Hence filming from the window .Some drivers used to love getting on the DMU and then love rolling all the blinds down when all the enthusiast were sat at the front anticipating the departure ! mean buzzards they were !
What a lovely line it was. BR neglected it on purpose and invested nothing in it for years with the intention of closing it. Two years separated the closure of this line and the Penrith-Keswick line. Cultural vandalism.
Mechanical Signalling still works. Boxes at Cuxton Wartingbury must be the oldest in Country if still there. VSC opened in stages 1980, it was a Disaster! Failures all the time. ASE was 'Wrong man for the job' had to be paid off, he was embezzling money to run department. Replacement narcissistic had Peter Scott removed to Three Bridges, told by Chairman BR Board that he was to be sacked in 6 months time unless failures dropped. Bought in man from Swanley led task force team found lots of equipment faults, reduced failures.
I've seen that viaduct from the Carlisle to Newcastle line and often wondered about it. So it was wonderful to see this film and the line in operation. So glad you captured it before 'progress' swept it away. But also, so sad to see what once was and know that it's now all gone.
The signalman at the beginning is my grandad Tony Bell. Wow what a cool find.
A great tragedy the line was closed. A beautiful route...It would have been a great tourist attraction these days.
Great memories from when I used to travel up to Alston every Saturday to see my Grandparents.
Wonderful film. I’ve often wondered what that railway route looked like when it was active. We were left a wonderful railway network legacy which would have been more than relevant and viable today. We stupidly destroyed most of it because of sheer shortsightedness. The Keswick line is another that should never have closed.
Lovely video.i remember going to Haltwhisle as a teenager to the picture house .. happy days...❤
I have really enjoyed the film about the Barnard Castle Line and the Stainmore Rout as it brings back memories. I t was on the 7th January 1964 that I arrived from our Regimental Depot in Preston to join my battalion at Deerbolt Camp at Barnard Castle. I once crossed the viaduct over the River Tees, which, at that time had been reduced to a single line for Middleton. Many is the time in those two years that i hitch-hiked along the '66 to Brough and then to Kirby Stephen. Our camp was close to Deepdale Beck and I remember once going running up the beck and seeing what was left of the viaduct, which was only the bases of the pillars.
Thanks so much for this film - Superb historical document. Here's to reopening
Unfortunately I can't see that ever happening. More's the pity.
@ColinH1973 they may mean the narrow gauge line but that isn't really reopening.
My grandfather used to drive the DMUs along that line, and I think steam locos before that, based out of Blaydon shed. Took the second last train out of Alston on closure day.
Thank you once again Alan and Heather, and thank heavens you had the foresight to make these films back in the 1960s when 8mm film was an expensive commodity! As always, Heather's commentary is well researched and informative. I too am looking forward to the next installment!
Another excellent vintage trip...many thanks to Alan and Heather. Yet another example of a branch line that should not have closed....the Bridport branch here in Dorset is also much missed. Best wishes. Rob.
Lovely footage and commentary. It's a line that I knew very well and travelled very often. BR closed this line, not Dr B. Shame on them!
thanks for that. ive walked that line many times.
Very good footage. Pleased to say the railway has now been extended to slagyford. Shame its so hard for non car owners like me to get to
So grateful for these fantastic and informative films
Lovely video. Crazy to think some of the people on that train were probably born in the 19th century.
Thank you, solid gold!
I really enjoy these videos Alan, they take me back to my youth ! Thank you so much for sharing, please keep 'em coming.
Please see my reply to Richard Turton - It's good to be able to please folk at my age.
@@AlanSnowdonArchive chanced across your videos (pics on disused railways site).
Just curious .. are you our cousin Alan, great uncle Joe's son ? Siblings Brian and the late Jean ? (and so, uncle to Susan).
If so, haven't met since Jean's funeral.
Mum (Jean), and her sister Jenny (Australia) are both still going. 90 and 86
@@AlanSnowdonArchive PS .. GREAT films, thank you. We like cycling this type of route, when able ..
After closing the line, the powers that be generously built an 'all-weather' road up to Alston. During its first winter, the road was closed due to snow, and the town was once again cut off.
Absolute delight! Thanks Alan and Heather.
A really good film. Thanks.
Excellent 💚💛❤️👍
I wouldnt class myself as a railway enthusiast but i love to learn the hisory of places ive visited through work or holiday the tyndale valley is amongst the most gorgeous scenery ul find in the uk .
Wonderful. Thank you.
I love your films. Thank you very much!
These videos are superb Alan, I enjoy them so much. Please keep up the great work you are doing, it really is appreciated!
This may be a good place to mention that after the next one I upload, hopefully withn a few days, there will have to be a pause for probably a few weeks while I attend to some important matters at home. BUT please be assured that there are more railway journey videos to come. Maybe in Europe too.
We look forward to enjoying them Alan
I was on a scout expedition in 1974, navigating by map in low mist and continuous rain.
We hadn't seen a road or another person for hours.
Out from the gloom we saw a train, a multiple unit . It came and went quickly.
It took us by surprise,and we joked that it must have been a ghost train.
It is now.
Beautiful
Allston stayed up there unfortunately the train they set up as a little heritage ride wasn't running and had to wait for the snow to melt before we could leave. Heck of a hairpin road up there too.
great video loved it.
Slaggyford did originally have a passing loop, and a platform on the eastern side too. You can see the weed-covered platform as the train makes the journey north. Obviously the infrastructure was removed to cut costs prior to 1963.
Lambley seems to have always been single-track. Perhaps it made things simpler for the private branch.
Great Alan, Is there any chance of a copy for our local Coanwood Lambley and Featherstone history club, Regards Richard
I rode this line as a lad in 1976 and I had the DMU pretty much to myself the whole way. I think one man got on at Coanwood and I remember the oil lamps there.
My Dad drove the final service train
My dad used to work at Alston foundry during the second world war where he stayed. He told me that once after a dance in Haltwhistle he and his companions missed the last bus to Alston so drunkenly walked back along the railway as it was quicker than the road.
Did they get there before the first bus next morning, I'm wondering !
Five years more and it probably would have survived.
Ah driver had the blinds down in the Cab .Hence filming from the window .Some drivers used to love getting on the DMU and then love rolling all the blinds down when all the enthusiast were sat at the front anticipating the departure ! mean buzzards they were !
Filming through two layers of glass, maybe dirty, is never as clear as through NO glass.
What a lovely line it was. BR neglected it on purpose and invested nothing in it for years with the intention of closing it. Two years separated the closure of this line and the Penrith-Keswick line. Cultural vandalism.
Now there's a line with money spinning tourist potential. I hate that Workington bus!
Mechanical Signalling still works. Boxes at Cuxton Wartingbury must be the oldest in Country if still there. VSC opened in stages 1980, it was a Disaster! Failures all the time. ASE was 'Wrong man for the job' had to be paid off, he was embezzling money to run department. Replacement narcissistic had Peter Scott removed to Three Bridges, told by Chairman BR Board that he was to be sacked in 6 months time unless failures dropped. Bought in man from Swanley led task force team found lots of equipment faults, reduced failures.
The noise gate is a bit hard on my ears!