What a superb restoration. I used to work with an elderly booking office clerk called Joe Purser at a south London railway station back in 1976 and he told me how he used to work at Petworth station as a young man. He was possibly in his sixties then so perhaps we are talking about the nineteen thirties. He had a rich rural accent and somewhat traditional ways and was a rich source of information about a working man's life in that bygone age.
It’s a lovely station and the owner has a great job to restore it. Probably in better nick than when last used as a station. It was closed because it was hopelessly uneconomic. Cost of maintaining line and station must have exceeded revenue. Notice closure to passenger date - 1955. Well before Beeching. BR inherited loads of lines/stations like this at nationalisation and as surplus declined, they couldn’t keep on subsidising loss makers like this.
I'm glad that folk are still commenting upon this most interesting video. I am obviously not alone in seeking "back numbers"! The Pullman carriages remind me of the two owned and let out by the Ravenglass & Eskdale Railway; "Maid of Kent" and "Elmira" on the Cumbrian coast but in the Lake District National Park. I have stayed in both several times and thoroughly recommend once things return to normal.
Thanks very much - it is a lovely station and steeped in history. I made a film about Petworth where I visit the grave of the poor boys killed by the bomb of which you spoke.
Some years ago you could have a cuppa tea and a scone here. Don't know if you still can though. My friend Lynn treated me to that. It is a truly amazing building and it was so nice to have a look at it and stand on the old platform etc. Another friend of mine stayed for a night in a Pullman Carriage there with his wife for two nights - a unique experience indeed! Again - I'm not sure if they still let out the Carriages any more... Keep Smiling Everyone 😃
Very nice and informative video. I think there may be some confusion about 'blowing up' the track, this was never done anywhere as far as I know. What they DID do, was place all the detonators they had on the line and as the train left it would detonate these small explosives, usually used to warn the drivers of trains of danger or the need for caution (such as in fog). These detonators would make a loud bang, but certainly no more. As the train would leave, the sound of 20 (say) loud bangs one after another was an appropriate 'good bye'
I obtained the planning permission for the use of the railway carriages and there use as en-suite accommodation and it was fun sourcing the carriages and there eventual transportation that now seems almost like a different world. Great to see it all in such great condition and well looked after.
Hi Richard you never know where I will pop up I enjoyed watching this episode. Back in the fifties when I visited my grandparents the stations that I stayed in were all two story buildings constructed of wood and painted red. The station Master quarters were on the floor above his office, the waiting room and other rooms. The village one was replaced with a brick building a one storey one I remember a chum of mine sat in the new at the time stations waiting room with his mother’s curlers in his hair wearing her dressing robe and slippers and her cold cream on his face,why he wanted to entertain the train passenger who back in the sixties were bussed to the station from the capital city to catch the train I never did find out nor what his mother’s reaction was either it was Malcolm being Malcolm! Good night eye droptime
I have been to Petworth visiting, and yes its a lovely friendly place, sadly I didn't get chance to visit the railway so that's a must when I next visit later this year, looks amazing.
What a lovely restoration. Well done. I have a friend now living in the area and hoping to come over from the U.S. for a visit in the near future. Have this on my bucket list of places to see.
What an amazingly beautiful place! Thankfully is has been preserved and is being used and lovingly looked after. One passenger a week...I can see why it, sadly, closed 🤭
I think all the minor rail ways was shut under the doctor beaching plane Richard I use to go to the blue bell rail way I a shame the rail way can't be brought back into life again.
not quite correct about blowing up the track as the last train left. detonators are purely like gun caps that go bang when theft e ain goes over them. they are meant to be used in situations of emergency such as a warning before a broken down train, or signal in fog. nice idea though.
I am so glad that this gentleman was able to save it. What a great effort.
Yes me too!
Oh good God, it is absolutely stunning! What a beautiful building.
What a superb restoration. I used to work with an elderly booking office clerk called Joe Purser at a south London railway station back in 1976 and he told me how he used to work at Petworth station as a young man. He was possibly in his sixties then so perhaps we are talking about the nineteen thirties. He had a rich rural accent and somewhat traditional ways and was a rich source of information about a working man's life in that bygone age.
Thanks Andrew - its a lovely place.
Richard, thank you so much for sharing this one. My son is a rail enthusiast. I'm definitely sharing this one with him!
Thanks so much for your comments and for watching - much appreciated.
Excellent job proper nice station excellent carriages b great to visit 🚂👍
Indeed it is!
The greatness of the beautiful branch lines.
Its tragic that they were closed
Such a shame - but at least we have some of these wonderful carriages to look at. Thanks for watching.
It’s a lovely station and the owner has a great job to restore it. Probably in better nick than when last used as a station. It was closed because it was hopelessly uneconomic. Cost of maintaining line and station must have exceeded revenue. Notice closure to passenger date - 1955. Well before Beeching. BR inherited loads of lines/stations like this at nationalisation and as surplus declined, they couldn’t keep on subsidising loss makers like this.
When I last saw this station in the 70s or 80s it was on the verge of falling down!
Was it really - it's changed a bit now then. :)
What a nice guy and an interesting story
I'm glad that folk are still commenting upon this most interesting video. I am obviously not alone in seeking "back numbers"! The Pullman carriages remind me of the two owned and let out by the Ravenglass & Eskdale Railway; "Maid of Kent" and "Elmira" on the Cumbrian coast but in the Lake District National Park. I have stayed in both several times and thoroughly recommend once things return to normal.
Thanks very much - it is a lovely station and steeped in history. I made a film about Petworth where I visit the grave of the poor boys killed by the bomb of which you spoke.
Some years ago you could have a cuppa tea and a scone here. Don't know if you still can though.
My friend Lynn treated me to that.
It is a truly amazing building and it was so nice to have a look at it and stand on the old platform etc.
Another friend of mine stayed for a night in a Pullman Carriage there with his wife for two nights - a unique experience indeed!
Again - I'm not sure if they still let out the Carriages any more...
Keep Smiling Everyone 😃
A really great place for afternoon tea, winter or summer.
Yes indeed!
Very nice and informative video. I think there may be some confusion about 'blowing up' the track, this was never done anywhere as far as I know. What they DID do, was place all the detonators they had on the line and as the train left it would detonate these small explosives, usually used to warn the drivers of trains of danger or the need for caution (such as in fog). These detonators would make a loud bang, but certainly no more. As the train would leave, the sound of 20 (say) loud bangs one after another was an appropriate 'good bye'
Wonderful lesson of life !
Yes indeed.
Great video! Yes it Golden Arrow as well as the Orient Express!
I obtained the planning permission for the use of the railway carriages and there use as en-suite accommodation and it was fun sourcing the carriages and there eventual transportation that now seems almost like a different world. Great to see it all in such great condition and well looked after.
Hi Richard you never know where I will pop up I enjoyed watching this episode. Back in the fifties when I visited my grandparents the stations that I stayed in were all two story buildings constructed of wood and painted red. The station Master quarters were on the floor above his office, the waiting room and other rooms. The village one was replaced with a brick building a one storey one I remember a chum of mine sat in the new at the time stations waiting room with his mother’s curlers in his hair wearing her dressing robe and slippers and her cold cream on his face,why he wanted to entertain the train passenger who back in the sixties were bussed to the station from the capital city to catch the train I never did find out nor what his mother’s reaction was either it was Malcolm being Malcolm! Good night eye droptime
2:23 Enviable back garden view!!🛤🚂
Jolly good! Glad it forced itself into my view...
Oh yes - definitely worth having a look!
Very interesting
Thanks
I have been to Petworth visiting, and yes its a lovely friendly place, sadly I didn't get chance to visit the railway so that's a must when I next visit later this year, looks amazing.
You must go, it's lovely.
Pretty sure I visited the station as a child 🙂
What a lovely restoration. Well done. I have a friend now living in the area and hoping to come over from the U.S. for a visit in the near future. Have this on my bucket list of places to see.
Fab - they will love it!
Very nice.
What an amazingly beautiful place! Thankfully is has been preserved and is being used and lovingly looked after. One passenger a week...I can see why it, sadly, closed 🤭
A great shame that it closed but as you say, fabulous old railway preservation.
great video
BEAUTIFUL!
psychologist lovely restoration. fantastic.
It's it lovely
Two Thumbs up. I need to come back to the UK.
Graham Sherrington oh you do. The UK misses you.
It a real shame the trains doesn't run to petwort worth I reamber the trains that ran along side the river adur at Shoreham up to Horsham.
Golly - that was a while ago. :)
I think all the minor rail ways was shut under the doctor beaching plane Richard I use to go to the blue bell rail way I a shame the rail way can't be brought back into life again.
You luck, lucky man, well done on the effort.
Thanks very much
not quite correct about blowing up the track as the last train left. detonators are purely like gun caps that go bang when theft e ain goes over them. they are meant to be used in situations of emergency such as a warning before a broken down train, or signal in fog. nice idea though.
You can't get the right all the time - as you say, a nice idea though. :)
There’s always one,who asks a silly question! Me! The Golden Arrow,London to Paris? How? No Channel tunnel then!!
You will be lucky if they ever move again!
They used to put it on a boat at Folkestone.
Had a great holiday here! mwtrips.blogspot.com/2014/05/pullman-car-with-difference.html
Fabulous - well done.
Pionki,once again ?
?