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This is truly amazing, I always knew somewhere extensive footage would appear of this particular line, my best friend bob Sinclair used to travel on this line in the 40s 50s and 60s sadly my friend passed away 2 years ago, he would of loved to see this footage, he talked about the line frequently, at bute street he saw 10000 & 10001 in 1949, being a steam fan he wasn't impressed.

This is solid gold. I travelled on this line between WGC and Luton when I was a young child.

Thanks for that I was at one time going to retain the railway line between the embankment and the park as a heritage attraction and had extensive dialogue with Luton borough council on this. But the scheme fell through. Now I plan to build a heritage attraction at the site of Dunstable North station and restore the old railway line towards le8h

As a young man and a train spotter I often went by train to Leighton Buzzard train spotting what a childhood I had brillian.

Great video. Really enjoying the series on this line. The diesel on the track lifting train is a Class 27 (BRCW/Sulzer), not a Class 25.

Was the cold storage siding on the Dunstable side or the blows Down side of the track?

I love these video's, they're so interesting. Yet I have this real sense of sadness when I watch them too, when I remember what a brilliant railway network we once had in this country, with such diverse rolling stock. The photo at 3:38 is a perfect example

Just what I always wanted to do - retrace the L&D railways. Thx for yr resesrch and sharing - those photo comparisons are epic 👏🏿👏🏿👏🏿 Edit: SUBSCRIBED 👍🏿

Quality stuff right here.

As a kid I would cycle from Wheat'std to my Nan in Beeching Close, Harpenden. Even back then it grieved locals that cyclists were forced onto the dangerous Lower Luton Road as the landowners wouldn't allow access to the old track bed.

My Mum grew up on Willoughby Road Harpenden, behind the signal post. My Nan still lived in the rented family home until in her later years she was relocated, not too far too Beeching Close! Being born in 1969 it pains me that I missed everything that once was. You've inspired me to revisit the route but I will wait for a sunny winters day. Thanks for doing this.

Congratulations on becoming a grandfather! What an amazing video, thank you for taking the (presumably incredible amount of) time required to make it.

It's a brilliant video. Gives people who moved to Dunstable recently some useful historical context. Thanks mate for this.

cant wait for the harpenden east video

its still surprising that out of everywhere on the line, the only original surviving sleeper is right next to a giant shopping area

Great video once again, really enjoy these films. Thanks again

ive commented here before but I just want to say you have no idea how incredible this video is for someone who lives near the railway. Before this all I had to go off was black and white pictures scattered across the internet. then one day on my recommended page i see a 20 minute long colour video of almost the entire railway! It was like Christmas for me. Please keep doing what you do.

Thanks for a interesting video

7:00 if you do some rummaging around in the bushes opposite to the signal you can find a steel ladder. Im fairly sure that used to be attached to the signal.

I do not understand why this was recommended to me but i like the concept an the stop motion intro 😂👍 love random vids of people and their passion!

They just keep getting better.Looking forward to Part 5😂

I do enjoy your walks and Video's

Another great video! Enjoying the knowledge and the photographs - are they all from Geoff and Sue's archives?

I do miss those days,when dad took me on a train and it was such an adventure. This line and the OXF-CAM were closed in haste,and today the government spend billions trying to reopen these lost lines. The 60s were brilliant,, steam ,music and no stabbings on our streets . The only thing that has got better is medicine. i.M.O

Great video, really enjoying this series

Somewhere close to bridge No 20, on the line there must have been a train crash because someone I used to know walked a long the line and found railway wagons parts and he took them home and I saw them then a few years later in the late 1980 or early 1990s I walked a long and found a wagon buffer that I picked up at the same location but I was young at the time and a few years later I moved house and left the buffer behind. I wish I had not left the buffer behind.

Another great and informative video guys....👍🏻

Also been on the train from Bute Street to Welwyn Garden City

Really enjoyed your video ,when Luton was in the cup final year we were drawn away to Blackpool,we got on the train from Bute Street to via Leighton Buzzard and onto the Euston line to Blackpool.

Gavin really enjoyed that one. Loved the old black and white pictures. Looking forward to the next one 👍

the level of detail you have of each area is incredible, what is your source for all these images?

Very interesting and have cycled this route. Thanks for sharing.

Great work guys. Loved it ☺️

MRS PHILLIPS ITS TOMMY

03:00 No you took the left route.

What wildlife have you seen there over the years? I just really want to see a snake! I live in Bedfordshire so I really want to make the visit if it's worth it.

My sister & me & our mother often rode on this line fmom Harpenden East to WGC Dept Stores, until it closed in '65. Being twins (my sister & me that is) we had to go in the guards van as the pram wouldn't fit in the carriage! I did write to BR in the '70s to ask if the line could be reopened, but was informed that parts of the track had been sold for housing (at Harpenden East) Still have their reply. In Dunsatble we have no station (there were 2)

I use to go to Roundwood school that was next to the Nicky Line. We often played on it even when the trains ran on it. My mum used to say to me what are you up to today. Oh I’m playing on the Nicky Line. Well be careful and make sure you’re back by 5.00 for tea. I was nine. Happy memories

I like the way they had new diesel trains. Some money must have been invested in line before plug was pulled looks like no passengers.

Fascinating I lived in Luton in the 1980's and knew nothing about this history.

I'm from st albans and this isn't to far from me . I'm guessing you know about the alban way in st albans? If not check it out 👍 thanks for the video , I will get over soon when the weather warms up ❄️

Just watched part 5. I remember when I was young the entrance to Bute Street station was where Birch Bros buses used to operate from. There was often a smell of fish in the vicinity. I also remember the awful smell of the gas works before natural gas became available. Mind you,they had to add a smell to it as people were gassing themselves without realising it....

Really enjoyed this video Born in Luton in 1955 Lived in Ash road till i moved to Norfolk after Vauxhall closed Loved seeing again old parts of the town again and how it has all changed Many thanks

Does anyone know when Hatters way was built ? Fantastic videos as usual

As a Luton boy i remember all of this. My Dad worked in y block (Vauxhall) and we went blackberry picking on the railway there. Can also remember the bridge in Vauxhall rd at h block. Thanks for sharing

Excellent video as bought back many memories, thanks for sharing

superb stuff again. love this series

i feel like not making the track go the length of the station when they restored wheathamstead ruined the immersion. But its still awesome

That small section next to power court still has a small amount of track still in situe before you reach the old bridge

The route was never built as a branch line in the first place, but later, it was treated as a branch line mainly in BR days. A branch line is a line that branches of a main line, and is not very busy. This didn't really branch off any main line and this line was very busy up till closer of the line between Luton and Hatfield. You say that the Crawly green road bridge was rebuilt as double 20 to 30 years ago well that's wrong because it was only done about 10 to 15 years a go if not less fact! I an Lutonian and know this area well very well!