I have a lot of respect towards Mark Hopwood as CEO of Great Western Railway. A lot of railway MDs are 'born' into the position, starting their careers at executive level. Mark started in the Ticket Office at Reading and climbed his way through various station and low level management roles to ultimately end up as MD in 2008. Its a climb to the top that very few have done!
@@shugieshugied2269 Ultimately the method of signaling is up to Network Rail but the line has never been prioritised for signalling renewal. Two times it’s come close (2008 ground frame replacement and 2014 Slough Panel Box closure)
Fascinating and charming video Geoff. Perhaps the nicest surprise is the discovery that the MD of GWR is a genuine lifelong train enthusiast, and comes across as a nice guy, who still understands all the nuts and bolts of how the trains work, rather than a generic corporate executive type who has spent a career hopping from one industry to the next.
Thanks to Geoff for producing such a great video and allowing me to play a role talking about one of my favourite subjects!! Geoff produces great videos and it’s fantastic to add the Marlow branch to his list! From me and everyone at GWR! Thanks Mark
Great video! I walked the Thames Path National Trail in chunks during 2024 and rather incidentally found myself using the Marlow, Henley and Windsor branch lines as they all allow access to the river. Great if you want to combine a love of trains with a love of walking 👍
thanks for having me along!! A superb day ... and fantastic to see everything up close, and how it works! Now to tick off all the other branch lines ....
I moved to Cookham in 2021 and I had no idea there used to be direct trains to London (and not that long ago). That sounds dreamy, please bring them back. The train back from London is sadly very unreliable often resulting in missed connections (such as today) 😢
Most clued up MD I've ever seen interviewed seems to actually know what goes on and has a interest proper railwayman refreshing to see someone who knows the job properly brilliant video .
I lived in Cookham as a child, and when my friend and I were about 10 years old, we decided to save up our pocket money to take the train to London. We didn’t tell our parents the day we set off. The only problem was, we had no idea which station was actually London, so we decided on West Drayton. I still remember stepping off the train and thinking, Is this it? I’d imagined London would be amazing! I now do the Maidenhead to Paddington route once a week and always smile as I pass West Drayton.
What a pleasure to "meet" Mark Hopwood! It's restored my faith in the world a little bit to see someone who really loves their job and is so successful making their passion into their career!
I started this video thinking token meant a coin that passengers had to use for the train. So quite an education for me on old rail mechanics. How wonderful that while the rest of the world is rapidly streamlining modernization that this rail from the past is still actively a part of the transport system. This is what I enjoying seeing when we can take the time to still use and value the past and not totally wipe out that part of our heritage and history. And yet again I have added another place from your videos for my next trip. Thank you.
Maples did that to the railways - not Beeching. Beeching was trying to modernise the railways and came up with some good ideas. The idea of a hit list came from the Minister of Transport who also had a business that profited from motorway construction. If Marples had given Beeching more money many of those stations would have remained open.
This one nearly didn't! When they stupidly closed the Bourne End-Wycombe section (several years post-Beeching), it was only massive local opposition including the rapid formation of a Passengers' Association that prevented them from closing the whole thing!
@@DavidShepheardAnd the same tricks from government are still happening today older you get the more you realise everything they say and done they've done it all before
That wooden staff is far from unique, I can think of three places I sign where one is still in use. Admittedly one staff was recently replaced with a big brass key, but the principle is exactly the same.
That was most enjoyable, so modern, yet so antiquated, lovely to see. Mark seems to be such a lovely fellow, clearly cares about the railway, his passion and enthusiasm for the GWR network shines through. Geoff, keep up the good work, and do the Looe branch at some stage!
I grew up in Marlow and when I was in Guides we had a couple of meetings over the years where we'd meet at the station, get the train to Bourne End and then walk back to Marlow along the river. A great walk, and you could finish up with chips from the chippie over the road from the pub.
Great to see you visit one of my local lines and always good to see a Toc MD who's a railway enthusiasts and clearly loves his job. We need more people like Mark Hopwood in the rail industry.
Loved this one Geoff! As someone who grew up on a suburban railway using single line token/staff working on the other side of the world, it was very relatable. Unfortunately my line got upgraded to modern signalling in 2013. 😢 Mark seems like a great guy - wonderful to see somone 'high up' in the industry being so open and honest about his passion.
Great video Geoff. I’m from Maidenhead and have used the line quite a few times. My daughters loved it when they were little and it’s great for a night out in Marlow! Really impressed with Mark H, top guy and deservedly honoured. And he’s done an amazing job with Great Western
Well done Geoff! I have watched your videos for years (Londonist,, All The Stations, Your Own), but this has to be amongst the top 3 you have ever made. Entertaining, informative and train nerdy enough for me. Very well done! Thanks
As an "Old Maidonian" now living in NC, USA it's great to see my home old station on the channel! I used to get hauled by 47s and 50s up to London and DMUs to Reading for my old commute. Now I stand by that token hut in Maidenhead on the occasional morning waiting for the first Lizzy to come out of the stables for a run up to LHR. Only ever took the donkey for fun. We even got a cab ride one time. We were too scared to ask but the driver saw us looking through the window and tapped on the glass and asked if we wanted come up front! :-). Keep up the great work Geoff!!
Thank you Geoff and @markstrainsplanes for such a wonderful and informative video. I now plan to come and enjoy the Marlow branch and other GWR shuttle services in the spring. It’s truly great to see in this very corporate world, GWR have a true railwayman leading them.
I love the Clickety-Clack of the Marlow donkey - and the feeling of the railway line running through the countryside. It is like a minitaure layout brought to life.
I've lived in Marlow for years, and travelled on that train umpteen times, but never even realised there was a token system! So interesting. Thank you.
This video was of particular interest to me because my family had strong connections with Marlow. My grandfather Leonard was signalman at Marlow and my father and two of his three siblings were born in the town between 1909 and 1913 at a house just a couple of hundred yards from the original station. In 1916 the family moved to Upton and were then brought up in Upton & Blewbury station house, now a private residence, when grandfather was promoted to Station Master. Their house in Marlow at 2 East Villas also still exists and in 2022 I found the house and went to have a look at the present Marlow station when my son was competing in the Marlow Half Iron Man race and had set off out of the town for the cycling phase. I also checked on an old map website and identified where the signalbox had stood which was in what is now a company's yard in a small industrial estate. I'm proud of my family's railway heritage with my father joining the GWR at Didcot in 1930 as an engine cleaner, working his way through the ranks to become a fully qualified driver in 1946, shortly after I was born. Grandfather Leonard served as Station Master at a couple of other stations on the Didcot, Newbury and Southampton line before retiring in 1942 as SM at Compton and moving to a bungalow in Blewbury.
Great video, one of your most informative to date. What a nice man Mark is, I couldn't wait to retire at 60 from the railway, mostly managed now by people with no interest in the nuts and bolts.
Loved the video way more than I thought from the title , which gave little away. Great work Geoff and your guest Mark, one of my favourites of yours to date.
Wow! Wasn't expecting Mark hopwood to be such a lover of trains. Should have a regular feature showing you round the quirky parts of the GWR 'networker' had to put that pun in! 😂
I lived in Marlow for my first 13 years and I loved The Donkey so much. My old boss, Hopwood is a true railway ned. Thank you for giving me a pang of nostalgia and a bit of homesickness ❤😂
I used to live in Bracknell and work in Marlow. It used to have me shaking my head when I heard people from London (usually) saying you don't need a car because people could take public transport instead. Public transport would take nearly 2.5 hours (bus into town, train to Reading, train to Maidenhead, train to Bourne End, train to Marlow, walk to the office)
oh how exciting! Born in Marlow, 3rd generation to have done so. As an adult moved to Maidenhead where i lived for 30 years before moving a few years ago to Oxfordshire. Regularly used the Marlow Donkey to commute from Marlow to Maidenhead.
I too lived in Maidenhead for about 30 years and have since retired to Oxfordshire in a little town called Charlbury on the Cotswold Line, another survivor from the Beeching era, reputedly because Peter Parker, the then chair of British Rail had a house nearby. The local station has a plaque bearing his name. I used to know the branch line to Marlow very well (and it's counterpart from Henley too). Both made for a useful route back to Maidenhead when I set out on a walk to either town. I also recall, as a child, when the Wycombe Line was operational, and always seeming to be caught by the level crossing at Bourne End station when travelling in my parent's car. nb. I assume as you lived in Maidenhead for so many years you had noted the bricked up entrance in the parapet where the Castle Road crosses the Wycombe Line. That was the site of Maidenhead Boyne Hill railway station, which operatied until 1871 when the current mainline station was built.
Love a quirky branch line! And Mark just seems like the loveliest guy, quite the opposite to the stereotypical MD image, like genuinely seems to care not just acts like it for publicity
What a great video, as always. It’s certainly on my bucket list. And what a nice man showing Geoff about. GWR is lucky to have him. I could listen to him for hours.
Excellent video as always, Geoff. And what an excellent and knowledgeable guest. I sampled this amazing little branch for the first time ever earlier this year when I got the opportunity to visit Sir Bill McAlpine's "Fawley Hill Railway," which was utterly amazing. I was told that the annual open day run by his widow was to be the last, but hopefully, it won't be as it was amazing and the best day out I had this year. I hope it does continue, as I can thoroughly recommend it and a trip on the Marlow branch too. Excellent. Thank you.
What an amazing branch line, fully worth the visit. Loving that part of the old railway system is still alive and well. Great to see such a passionate employee too.
We moved to Marlow from Coulsdon in October 1975, and I was a 17 year old commuting up to my job in London. I remember trying to find the station, following the signs from the High Street. When I found the station, to my horror, it was just a platform and a shelter, nothing else. I was expecting a proper station. I hung around for a while, none of those fancy electronic displays in those days, just a printed sheet behind a glassed frame. Anyway eventually a train turned up, and off I set to Bourne End, hoping to find "civilsation", what I found was a quiet country town, but at least it had a station ! Sadly, because it was off peak, there was no one there to buy a ticket from, a while later a trained turned up from Maidenhead and at lease there was a conductor on board, so I could buy a ticket, he asked where I'd travelled from I said Marlow, and explained I wanted to buy a season ticket, he told me I'd have to go to Maidenhead. Here we go then, I trip to Maidenhead, this was turning in to quite and adventure, off we went then, over the bridge crossing the Thames, and on to Cookham, which also has a "proper" station building and then onwards to Furze Platt, which again just had a single platform and a shelter but no building. A few minutes later we rolled in to Maidenhead, which was mainline station with trains to Paddington and Slough in one direction and Reading, Bristol, Wales and the West country in the other. But at least here I could buy a season ticket. Having been used to paying £3.50 (that's how long ago it was) I was shocked that this would cost me nearly a tenner, half a weeks, this is a non runner I thought, but seeing I didn't drive I had no other way of getting to work in London. Grudgingly I bought my ticket and muttered all the was back to Marlow. That journey too the best part of two hours, At weekends, I'd take the train to Maidenhead to buy my ticket, until I found you could buy them at Bourne End. Thing is while buying the ticket, the train would disappear back up the line to Maidenhead, the shuttle service. Bloody nuisance. Another thing with the single platform and one shelter and no building, if a train was cancelled or delayed, you's stand there like a lemon until a train arrived, or someone would drive over from Bourne End. Eventually a passengers group was formed and someone would call Bourne End station to see what the problem was. Even worse in the winter, when you would stand there huddled under the shelter from the rain and snow. Some of the businessmen would sit in their car in the warm and dry to shelter. Happy times, I was so glad when I learnt to drive and didn't have to go through this anymore. There were occasions when we'd get a one car unit to Bourne End and we'd pack on like sardines and get to BE and a three car unit would turn up instead of the usual six, ok if you got on at BE but the time it picked up at Cookham and Furze Platt is would be crammed. There coming home, my usual train, the 17.48 was cancelled and we had to to take an Inter City 125, which they stopped at Maidenhead, for us to get the shuttle back to Marlow, the thing was, it tool half the time to Paddington to Maidenhead as it took to go from Maidenhead via to Marlow. Tales from a battled hardened teenage commuter.
Top video, used to ride the branch a lot and it really is a lovely line. Was cool to hear from the MD about the line and good to know he has a passion for railways too. Hopefully he’s able to join you on other GWR videos too
As a former resident of Little Marlow - I recall the line very well and thought it sad when the level crossing was closed at Bourne End and then the track torn up - which meant no more trains to High Wycombe.
Yes - should never have happened. But we have to be grateful for what's left, thanks in no small part to the Marlow-Maidenhead Passengers' Association - which still exists 50-odd years later - fighting for the rights of the travelling public in the area! 🙂
Although being from Czechia I rode this branch many times as I have family in Bourne End and used to have it in Little Marlow. First time I rode it was 1986. Indeed I remember the through trains to/from Paddington. Couple of years ago I walked along the Thames from Marlow watching the Donkey.
My goodness, I've worked for quite a few MDs. None of them had Mark's love for their industry, or apparent approachability and lack of ceremony. I approve of this gentleman.
I love the Marlow branch. Anyone who has not seen it has to go. Marlow town itself is a lovely day out, by the river Thames it has a scenic park and a busy high street with a few good pubs. The Windsor branch line is a boring one in all honestly. Greenford is a great one to do with some remaining semaphore signals at Greenford. I’ve only got Henley to tick off.
As a resident of Maidenhead it was fantastic to see the Marlow Donkey line described in such detail. I love chugging along beside the river. Thanks for a great video Geoff.
Ah, my neck of the woods! Obviously Marlow is the most operationally interesting of the Thames Valley branches, but I bet you could easily turn each one of them - even Windsor - into an interesting video: they're all a joy to explore, and, of course, the more you explore, the more you find. Really interesting to hear from Mr Hopwood as well - his expertise really shines through.
Windsor branch would be a good one, especially all the changes at the station over the years. Lived around the corner from what was the Chalvey Halt, never even knew it existed until 4-5 years ago.
@@kingcal53 Chalvey Halt didn't last long - 6 May 1929 to 6 July 1930! Apparently, the local authority considered re-opening it in 2012 - not heard any more since...
@@kingcal53 The real tragedy of the the Windsor branch line is the fate of Windsor Central railway station. When I was a child, it was still virtually complete with an absolutely magnificent ticket hall, multiple platforms at the engine sheds. Buses would leave from underneath the canopy in front of the station. Of course they have all now been re-purposed, and it's mostly tourist places and eateries. It simply doesn't have the same feel as when it was all part of the railway. Of course it was totally out of scale to the need, but built that way because of its position and the royal connections. Now the platform has been pushed back down the line, and it all feels like a bit of an after thought. Of course, the lengthy and, originally dual-track viaduct that runs through Windsor, over the magnificent Thames Railway Bridge and marches its way across Eton common has a Victorian grandeur about it. nb. there is a slightly crazy notion to tunnel between the Windsor branch line and Windsor Riverside to create a through link. It's called the Windsor Link Railway.
@@TheEulerID Indeed, it's only short but it's a wonderful little line, even in the weather we've had this week... There is a certain sadness to the current Central station, indeed, but at least it hasn't been totally knocked down and replaced with a bus shelter! And yes, the Windsor Link Railway... clearly a plan drawn up by a person with knowledge of neither geography, nor architecture, nor physics, nor local demographics!
A wonderful insight into the fantastic Bourne End and Marlow Branch - one very close to my heart. Thanks for taking the time to produce this one! Unfortunately, the video focus very much on the here and now. Therefore it neglects to mention about the future of the line. Will it be token block forever? Are there any plans to do away with the old Turbos and look into a new fleet, possibly those 230s that are on test on the Greenford Line? A lot of unanswered questions that this video could have addressed, especially with someone like the MD of GWR as the ‘special guest’. I guess these questions will still go unanswered!
I love this video Geoff! It’s quite local to this, err, vintage Wokinghamer. Yet I’ve never ridden the Marlow branch! I now will, probably next spring. Oh, and every time you mentioned the Bourne end shuffle, my brain heard “The Bourne End shuffle by 10cc”. Thank you so much!
Great Video Geoff. I worked over the line in the 1960,s first on steam then as a secondman on the Class 22 and Class 35 that we used on the local goods.
Lots of nostalgia - I used to take this train line every day to get to school from Maidenhead to Marlow, who knew how much work goes on by the scenes to get passengers from A to B! Thanks for showing this great train line and the lovely areas around Marlow too 😊
Crazy to see my home village featuring in a Geoff Marshall video!! Loved the insight. Used this train network hundreds of times without knowing why it was called the Marlow Donkey.
So so wonderful Geoff. I knew Mark Hopwood was interested in railways but not to this extent! It's so cool to see a Director who is not just a real enthusiast but also a TH-camr too! One thing though Geoff; I know that you're heavily focusing on this more 'documentary style' content now with interviews and the like, but very ocassionally could you make a classic vlog-y video for us? Please
My family and I moved to Marlow when I was 5 , and only leaving in my early 20s. I loved using the Marlow Donkey and heading to London. A few years ago, I returned to Marlow to work, and felt so many pangs of nostalgia, remembering the joys of using the Marlow Donkey.
What a fab video! Thank you. It brought back a lot of memories. I lived in Cookham Rise through the mid to late 1980's, within the sound of those diesels chugging up and down the line. I even remember some enthusiasts ran a restored DEMU "Thumper" ex the London CharingX to Hastings line up the branch line one weekend, a sound never forgotten as I also lived in Tunbridge Wells in the 1960's next to the railway line!!....P.S.....who else spotted the squirrel running along the line at Bourne End😊
Watching Geoff during lockdown I inspired me to take my son on this line to Windsor Castle with my son, there is some great scenery around here and I went back later to get some drone footage thanks Geoff
Mark explains some of the problems of modern operations vs history vs costs vs aesthetics really well. We need more Marks in senior positions to make our world a better place.
I did the Thames Branches Day Ranger last November, and I have to say it was a very fun day out. And GWR trains were much enjoyed as well as the gorgeous places themselves!
I have a lot of respect towards Mark Hopwood as CEO of Great Western Railway. A lot of railway MDs are 'born' into the position, starting their careers at executive level. Mark started in the Ticket Office at Reading and climbed his way through various station and low level management roles to ultimately end up as MD in 2008. Its a climb to the top that very few have done!
Thanks a lot!
Vegetable.
It shows too, with his interest in, and tolerance of, physical token working, which most bosses would have found the budget to have removed.
@@shugieshugied2269 Ultimately the method of signaling is up to Network Rail but the line has never been prioritised for signalling renewal. Two times it’s come close (2008 ground frame replacement and 2014 Slough Panel Box closure)
Mark seems an absolute legend and a once in a lifetime treasure to the line.
Fascinating and charming video Geoff. Perhaps the nicest surprise is the discovery that the MD of GWR is a genuine lifelong train enthusiast, and comes across as a nice guy, who still understands all the nuts and bolts of how the trains work, rather than a generic corporate executive type who has spent a career hopping from one industry to the next.
Yes, a rare thing for the CEO to understand the operational intricacies.
Thanks to Geoff for producing such a great video and allowing me to play a role talking about one of my favourite subjects!!
Geoff produces great videos and it’s fantastic to add the Marlow branch to his list!
From me and everyone at GWR!
Thanks
Mark
🥰💕 What a lovely comment.
Great video! I walked the Thames Path National Trail in chunks during 2024 and rather incidentally found myself using the Marlow, Henley and Windsor branch lines as they all allow access to the river. Great if you want to combine a love of trains with a love of walking 👍
thanks for having me along!! A superb day ... and fantastic to see everything up close, and how it works! Now to tick off all the other branch lines ....
I moved to Cookham in 2021 and I had no idea there used to be direct trains to London (and not that long ago). That sounds dreamy, please bring them back. The train back from London is sadly very unreliable often resulting in missed connections (such as today) 😢
@ Sadly not possible now Liz Line running but we need to get those connections working better! On it.
Most clued up MD I've ever seen interviewed seems to actually know what goes on and has a interest proper railwayman refreshing to see someone who knows the job properly brilliant video .
I lived in Cookham as a child, and when my friend and I were about 10 years old, we decided to save up our pocket money to take the train to London. We didn’t tell our parents the day we set off. The only problem was, we had no idea which station was actually London, so we decided on West Drayton. I still remember stepping off the train and thinking, Is this it? I’d imagined London would be amazing! I now do the Maidenhead to Paddington route once a week and always smile as I pass West Drayton.
actually made me smile reading this
An excellent video, Geoff. Mark is a proper railwayman isn’t he? Such a passion for the railways and his job.
What a nice guy. Unexpected. One of your best guests.
What a pleasure to "meet" Mark Hopwood! It's restored my faith in the world a little bit to see someone who really loves their job and is so successful making their passion into their career!
What a genuinely lovely watch Geoff - thank you. Mark is obviously one of the good guys.
What a thoroughly decent chap Mark Hopwood is. Great to see you do a feature on my local line Geoff I really enjoyed this one.
Mark is the best. A real enthusiast and then some!! (Sorry, I do not have the plate from the staff 😂)
And your videos are simply stunning - very good indeed! I may just believe you about the brass plate….
Lovely to see someone so enthusiastic about the railways also in charge of the railway!
I remember mark from the late 80s
He was working at reading
He is a fantastic bloke a true gent
A proper railwayman !
What an insight, Mark seems a great guy with incredible knowledge. You can really see that it’s not only his job, but his favourite hobby!
Its such a shame that the Bourne end to High Wycombe never survived, it probably would of been priceless to have that line these days.
GWR's managing director can now officially be called one of Geoff's vlog companions. Didn't know this line existed!
I started this video thinking token meant a coin that passengers had to use for the train. So quite an education for me on old rail mechanics. How wonderful that while the rest of the world is rapidly streamlining modernization that this rail from the past is still actively a part of the transport system. This is what I enjoying seeing when we can take the time to still use and value the past and not totally wipe out that part of our heritage and history. And yet again I have added another place from your videos for my next trip. Thank you.
Loved this. Mark is a total legend. Thanks, Geoff!
When you think of what Beeching did to the railways, it's great to see that quaint little country branch lines still exist.
Maples did that to the railways - not Beeching. Beeching was trying to modernise the railways and came up with some good ideas. The idea of a hit list came from the Minister of Transport who also had a business that profited from motorway construction. If Marples had given Beeching more money many of those stations would have remained open.
This one nearly didn't! When they stupidly closed the Bourne End-Wycombe section (several years post-Beeching), it was only massive local opposition including the rapid formation of a Passengers' Association that prevented them from closing the whole thing!
@@DavidShepheardAnd the same tricks from government are still happening today older you get the more you realise everything they say and done they've done it all before
Thank you Geoff. A wonderful video and big respect to Mark Hopwood too.
Never knew the Marlow Donkey has such a unique signal system using a wooden staff and tokens, great video as always Geoff
That wooden staff is far from unique, I can think of three places I sign where one is still in use. Admittedly one staff was recently replaced with a big brass key, but the principle is exactly the same.
That was most enjoyable, so modern, yet so antiquated, lovely to see. Mark seems to be such a lovely fellow, clearly cares about the railway, his passion and enthusiasm for the GWR network shines through. Geoff, keep up the good work, and do the Looe branch at some stage!
I grew up in Marlow and when I was in Guides we had a couple of meetings over the years where we'd meet at the station, get the train to Bourne End and then walk back to Marlow along the river. A great walk, and you could finish up with chips from the chippie over the road from the pub.
Great to see you visit one of my local lines and always good to see a Toc MD who's a railway enthusiasts and clearly loves his job. We need more people like Mark Hopwood in the rail industry.
Loved this one Geoff! As someone who grew up on a suburban railway using single line token/staff working on the other side of the world, it was very relatable. Unfortunately my line got upgraded to modern signalling in 2013. 😢 Mark seems like a great guy - wonderful to see somone 'high up' in the industry being so open and honest about his passion.
One word for this video, delightful.
thanks Gary! 😊
What a great experience. A Man who knows what he is talking about.
Crazy how at Maidenhead you can find fancy new Elizabeth Line trains alongside this gem of a branch line!
Great video Geoff. I’m from Maidenhead and have used the line quite a few times. My daughters loved it when they were little and it’s great for a night out in Marlow!
Really impressed with Mark H, top guy and deservedly honoured. And he’s done an amazing job with Great Western
Brilliant - more like this Geoff please!
Well done Geoff! I have watched your videos for years (Londonist,, All The Stations, Your Own), but this has to be amongst the top 3 you have ever made. Entertaining, informative and train nerdy enough for me. Very well done! Thanks
Well that’s super kind of you Colin, thank you. Am just trying to make good / quality content! 😊
As an "Old Maidonian" now living in NC, USA it's great to see my home old station on the channel! I used to get hauled by 47s and 50s up to London and DMUs to Reading for my old commute. Now I stand by that token hut in Maidenhead on the occasional morning waiting for the first Lizzy to come out of the stables for a run up to LHR. Only ever took the donkey for fun. We even got a cab ride one time. We were too scared to ask but the driver saw us looking through the window and tapped on the glass and asked if we wanted come up front! :-). Keep up the great work Geoff!!
Thank you Geoff and @markstrainsplanes for such a wonderful and informative video.
I now plan to come and enjoy the Marlow branch and other GWR shuttle services in the spring.
It’s truly great to see in this very corporate world, GWR have a true railwayman leading them.
I love the Clickety-Clack of the Marlow donkey - and the feeling of the railway line running through the countryside. It is like a minitaure layout brought to life.
To me, it's like a preserved enthusiast railway, which just happens to be part of the "real" network
I just loved hearing Mark's childhood story about visiting the trains. That's exactly the kind of child I was! Those were the days!
Thanks!
Sure, but what would happen nowadays if an eight-year old were invited to a train journey by a driver/guard ?
Mark Hopwood - What a great Guy!
I've lived in Marlow for years, and travelled on that train umpteen times, but never even realised there was a token system! So interesting. Thank you.
This video was of particular interest to me because my family had strong connections with Marlow. My grandfather Leonard was signalman at Marlow and my father and two of his three siblings were born in the town between 1909 and 1913 at a house just a couple of hundred yards from the original station. In 1916 the family moved to Upton and were then brought up in Upton & Blewbury station house, now a private residence, when grandfather was promoted to Station Master. Their house in Marlow at 2 East Villas also still exists and in 2022 I found the house and went to have a look at the present Marlow station when my son was competing in the Marlow Half Iron Man race and had set off out of the town for the cycling phase. I also checked on an old map website and identified where the signalbox had stood which was in what is now a company's yard in a small industrial estate.
I'm proud of my family's railway heritage with my father joining the GWR at Didcot in 1930 as an engine cleaner, working his way through the ranks to become a fully qualified driver in 1946, shortly after I was born. Grandfather Leonard served as Station Master at a couple of other stations on the Didcot, Newbury and Southampton line before retiring in 1942 as SM at Compton and moving to a bungalow in Blewbury.
Great video, one of your most informative to date.
What a nice man Mark is, I couldn't wait to retire at 60 from the railway, mostly managed now by people with no interest in the nuts and bolts.
I have lot of respect for mark. Hopwood.
Loved the video way more than I thought from the title , which gave little away. Great work Geoff and your guest Mark, one of my favourites of yours to date.
Wow! Wasn't expecting Mark hopwood to be such a lover of trains. Should have a regular feature showing you round the quirky parts of the GWR 'networker' had to put that pun in! 😂
A gem of a video, Geoff. You've added to my bucket list...
Nice to see you again, Geoff. What a lovely railway the Marlow Branch is!
I lived in Marlow for my first 13 years and I loved The Donkey so much. My old boss, Hopwood is a true railway ned. Thank you for giving me a pang of nostalgia and a bit of homesickness ❤😂
I used to live in Bracknell and work in Marlow. It used to have me shaking my head when I heard people from London (usually) saying you don't need a car because people could take public transport instead. Public transport would take nearly 2.5 hours (bus into town, train to Reading, train to Maidenhead, train to Bourne End, train to Marlow, walk to the office)
I think transport with the CEO of GWR, Mark Hopwood, is in the best place, look out for his travel videos, a man who understands the Railways
Another fantastic video, Geoff! You're a superb storyteller and this one flowed so well.
oh how exciting! Born in Marlow, 3rd generation to have done so. As an adult moved to Maidenhead where i lived for 30 years before moving a few years ago to Oxfordshire. Regularly used the Marlow Donkey to commute from Marlow to Maidenhead.
Bought up in Marlow I now live in Oxfordshire too!!! Great to return for this video !
I too lived in Maidenhead for about 30 years and have since retired to Oxfordshire in a little town called Charlbury on the Cotswold Line, another survivor from the Beeching era, reputedly because Peter Parker, the then chair of British Rail had a house nearby. The local station has a plaque bearing his name.
I used to know the branch line to Marlow very well (and it's counterpart from Henley too). Both made for a useful route back to Maidenhead when I set out on a walk to either town.
I also recall, as a child, when the Wycombe Line was operational, and always seeming to be caught by the level crossing at Bourne End station when travelling in my parent's car.
nb. I assume as you lived in Maidenhead for so many years you had noted the bricked up entrance in the parapet where the Castle Road crosses the Wycombe Line. That was the site of Maidenhead Boyne Hill railway station, which operatied until 1871 when the current mainline station was built.
What a great watch. Thoroughly enjoyed this video. So pleased we still have the quirks on parts of the network.
What a very quirky little railway it’s nice to see things like that still happening well done Jeff and GWR
Love a quirky branch line! And Mark just seems like the loveliest guy, quite the opposite to the stereotypical MD image, like genuinely seems to care not just acts like it for publicity
Much appreciated!
What a great video, as always. It’s certainly on my bucket list. And what a nice man showing Geoff about. GWR is lucky to have him. I could listen to him for hours.
Excellent video as always, Geoff.
And what an excellent and knowledgeable guest.
I sampled this amazing little branch for the first time ever earlier this year when I got the opportunity to visit Sir Bill McAlpine's "Fawley Hill Railway," which was utterly amazing.
I was told that the annual open day run by his widow was to be the last, but hopefully, it won't be as it was amazing and the best day out I had this year.
I hope it does continue, as I can thoroughly recommend it and a trip on the Marlow branch too.
Excellent.
Thank you.
What an amazing branch line, fully worth the visit. Loving that part of the old railway system is still alive and well. Great to see such a passionate employee too.
Nice to know the man is charge has got a clue, excellent Piece, thanks.
Being born in 1956 and living in Marlow i have memories of the the steam "Marlow Donkey" If only it could be reintroduced. Great Vlog as always
We moved to Marlow from Coulsdon in October 1975, and I was a 17 year old commuting up to my job in London. I remember trying to find the station, following the signs from the High Street. When I found the station, to my horror, it was just a platform and a shelter, nothing else. I was expecting a proper station. I hung around for a while, none of those fancy electronic displays in those days, just a printed sheet behind a glassed frame. Anyway eventually a train turned up, and off I set to Bourne End, hoping to find "civilsation", what I found was a quiet country town, but at least it had a station !
Sadly, because it was off peak, there was no one there to buy a ticket from, a while later a trained turned up from Maidenhead and at lease there was a conductor on board, so I could buy a ticket, he asked where I'd travelled from I said Marlow, and explained I wanted to buy a season ticket, he told me I'd have to go to Maidenhead. Here we go then, I trip to Maidenhead, this was turning in to quite and adventure, off we went then, over the bridge crossing the Thames, and on to Cookham, which also has a "proper" station building and then onwards to Furze Platt, which again just had a single platform and a shelter but no building. A few minutes later we rolled in to Maidenhead, which was mainline station with trains to Paddington and Slough in one direction and Reading, Bristol, Wales and the West country in the other. But at least here I could buy a season ticket. Having been used to paying £3.50 (that's how long ago it was) I was shocked that this would cost me nearly a tenner, half a weeks, this is a non runner I thought, but seeing I didn't drive I had no other way of getting to work in London. Grudgingly I bought my ticket and muttered all the was back to Marlow. That journey too the best part of two hours, At weekends, I'd take the train to Maidenhead to buy my ticket, until I found you could buy them at Bourne End. Thing is while buying the ticket, the train would disappear back up the line to Maidenhead, the shuttle service. Bloody nuisance. Another thing with the single platform and one shelter and no building, if a train was cancelled or delayed, you's stand there like a lemon until a train arrived, or someone would drive over from Bourne End. Eventually a passengers group was formed and someone would call Bourne End station to see what the problem was. Even worse in the winter, when you would stand there huddled under the shelter from the rain and snow. Some of the businessmen would sit in their car in the warm and dry to shelter. Happy times, I was so glad when I learnt to drive and didn't have to go through this anymore. There were occasions when we'd get a one car unit to Bourne End and we'd pack on like sardines and get to BE and a three car unit would turn up instead of the usual six, ok if you got on at BE but the time it picked up at Cookham and Furze Platt is would be crammed. There coming home, my usual train, the 17.48 was cancelled and we had to to take an Inter City 125, which they stopped at Maidenhead, for us to get the shuttle back to Marlow, the thing was, it tool half the time to Paddington to Maidenhead as it took to go from Maidenhead via to Marlow. Tales from a battled hardened teenage commuter.
Top video, used to ride the branch a lot and it really is a lovely line. Was cool to hear from the MD about the line and good to know he has a passion for railways too. Hopefully he’s able to join you on other GWR videos too
What a cracking documentary. Thanks for your efforts.
This is just lovely - thank you Geoff and Mark.
As a former resident of Little Marlow - I recall the line very well and thought it sad when the level crossing was closed at Bourne End and then the track torn up - which meant no more trains to High Wycombe.
Yes - should never have happened. But we have to be grateful for what's left, thanks in no small part to the Marlow-Maidenhead Passengers' Association - which still exists 50-odd years later - fighting for the rights of the travelling public in the area! 🙂
It needs to be reinstated, perhaps as a light rail with street running.
I love the active use of a modern day token machine! So cool!
Although being from Czechia I rode this branch many times as I have family in Bourne End and used to have it in Little Marlow. First time I rode it was 1986. Indeed I remember the through trains to/from Paddington. Couple of years ago I walked along the Thames from Marlow watching the Donkey.
My goodness, I've worked for quite a few MDs. None of them had Mark's love for their industry, or apparent approachability and lack of ceremony.
I approve of this gentleman.
I love the Marlow branch. Anyone who has not seen it has to go. Marlow town itself is a lovely day out, by the river Thames it has a scenic park and a busy high street with a few good pubs.
The Windsor branch line is a boring one in all honestly. Greenford is a great one to do with some remaining semaphore signals at Greenford. I’ve only got Henley to tick off.
Mark is living the dream isn’t he? Loved this video Geoff, maybe the start of a series about quirky little branch lines?
My late husband used to explain to me about the token system used in Marlow Donkey line. Now seeing how it’s used makes it that much more interesting!
I had no idea that this system was still in use. Fantastic bit of engineering history, and people who love rail transport as well. Brilliant!
As a resident of Maidenhead it was fantastic to see the Marlow Donkey line described in such detail. I love chugging along beside the river. Thanks for a great video Geoff.
Ah, my neck of the woods! Obviously Marlow is the most operationally interesting of the Thames Valley branches, but I bet you could easily turn each one of them - even Windsor - into an interesting video: they're all a joy to explore, and, of course, the more you explore, the more you find. Really interesting to hear from Mr Hopwood as well - his expertise really shines through.
Windsor branch would be a good one, especially all the changes at the station over the years. Lived around the corner from what was the Chalvey Halt, never even knew it existed until 4-5 years ago.
@@kingcal53 Chalvey Halt didn't last long - 6 May 1929 to 6 July 1930! Apparently, the local authority considered re-opening it in 2012 - not heard any more since...
@@kingcal53 The real tragedy of the the Windsor branch line is the fate of Windsor Central railway station. When I was a child, it was still virtually complete with an absolutely magnificent ticket hall, multiple platforms at the engine sheds. Buses would leave from underneath the canopy in front of the station.
Of course they have all now been re-purposed, and it's mostly tourist places and eateries. It simply doesn't have the same feel as when it was all part of the railway. Of course it was totally out of scale to the need, but built that way because of its position and the royal connections.
Now the platform has been pushed back down the line, and it all feels like a bit of an after thought. Of course, the lengthy and, originally dual-track viaduct that runs through Windsor, over the magnificent Thames Railway Bridge and marches its way across Eton common has a Victorian grandeur about it.
nb. there is a slightly crazy notion to tunnel between the Windsor branch line and Windsor Riverside to create a through link. It's called the Windsor Link Railway.
@@TheEulerID Indeed, it's only short but it's a wonderful little line, even in the weather we've had this week... There is a certain sadness to the current Central station, indeed, but at least it hasn't been totally knocked down and replaced with a bus shelter! And yes, the Windsor Link Railway... clearly a plan drawn up by a person with knowledge of neither geography, nor architecture, nor physics, nor local demographics!
What a lovely man Mark Hopwood is!
A wonderful insight into the fantastic Bourne End and Marlow Branch - one very close to my heart. Thanks for taking the time to produce this one!
Unfortunately, the video focus very much on the here and now. Therefore it neglects to mention about the future of the line. Will it be token block forever? Are there any plans to do away with the old Turbos and look into a new fleet, possibly those 230s that are on test on the Greenford Line? A lot of unanswered questions that this video could have addressed, especially with someone like the MD of GWR as the ‘special guest’. I guess these questions will still go unanswered!
I’ve got a couple of days in London next month. Wasn’t sure what to do but I think a Thames Branches Day Ranger may be the way to go!
yep, it's a fun place to explore if you are in london. i also recommend trying out some trains like 745 too, if you havent been on them already
What a thoroughly pleasant man Mark is.
As a kid I went from Maidehead to Marlow all the time for school and Cookham to my Gran's house. A lovely journey. Great video Geoff!
I love this video Geoff! It’s quite local to this, err, vintage Wokinghamer. Yet I’ve never ridden the Marlow branch! I now will, probably next spring. Oh, and every time you mentioned the Bourne end shuffle, my brain heard “The Bourne End shuffle by 10cc”. Thank you so much!
Great Video Geoff. I worked over the line in the 1960,s first on steam then as a secondman on the Class 22 and Class 35 that we used on the local goods.
Lots of nostalgia - I used to take this train line every day to get to school from Maidenhead to Marlow, who knew how much work goes on by the scenes to get passengers from A to B! Thanks for showing this great train line and the lovely areas around Marlow too 😊
Wow totally fascinating, lived in Windsor 10yrs now & just found out about this, nice one Geoff🤗🩷☮️
I enjoyed that. I've travelled a few times on the Marlow Donkey and sampled a pint in the Marlow Donkey.
Crazy to see my home village featuring in a Geoff Marshall video!! Loved the insight. Used this train network hundreds of times without knowing why it was called the Marlow Donkey.
So so wonderful Geoff. I knew Mark Hopwood was interested in railways but not to this extent! It's so cool to see a Director who is not just a real enthusiast but also a TH-camr too!
One thing though Geoff; I know that you're heavily focusing on this more 'documentary style' content now with interviews and the like, but very ocassionally could you make a classic vlog-y video for us? Please
My family and I moved to Marlow when I was 5 , and only leaving in my early 20s. I loved using the Marlow Donkey and heading to London. A few years ago, I returned to Marlow to work, and felt so many pangs of nostalgia, remembering the joys of using the Marlow Donkey.
Very well put together, thank you.
Wonderful video Geoff, I have very fond memories of the DMU journeys to Marlow in the 70's!
What a great vid! Enjoyed every minute. You gotta hand it to Mark he's still enthusiastic about his job even though he's ben at it for many years.
Great video of the Marlow branch, Geoff: a local favourite of mine! Thanks for introducing us to Mark Hopwood - a true railway gentleman.
What a fab video! Thank you. It brought back a lot of memories. I lived in Cookham Rise through the mid to late 1980's, within the sound of those diesels chugging up and down the line. I even remember some enthusiasts ran a restored DEMU "Thumper" ex the London CharingX to Hastings line up the branch line one weekend, a sound never forgotten as I also lived in Tunbridge Wells in the 1960's next to the railway line!!....P.S.....who else spotted the squirrel running along the line at Bourne End😊
Squirrel. Me 🙂 He had a token!
@stevekelly5166 👍👍👀😁
Watching Geoff during lockdown I inspired me to take my son on this line to Windsor Castle with my son, there is some great scenery around here and I went back later to get some drone footage thanks Geoff
Great video and really interesting presentation of the line by Mark.
Mark explains some of the problems of modern operations vs history vs costs vs aesthetics really well. We need more Marks in senior positions to make our world a better place.
@@Trevor_Austin Thanks!
Brilliant video. Nice to see a real-life Railway Controller too. Thank you.
Love it when Mark is on the channel, so much passion and dedication. Very enjoyable video Geoff. Thank you 😎
One time when I rode that branch line, I was but metres away from the legend that is Timmy Mallett.
I am surprised no mention of Class 50s from Mark, a great video Geoff as usual.
I did the Thames Branches Day Ranger last November, and I have to say it was a very fun day out. And GWR trains were much enjoyed as well as the gorgeous places themselves!
Great to see The Donkey getting some love. thanks Geoff
@15:33 it looked like Geoff was about to give Mark a hug!
Thanks