Fascinating to watch,thank you for posting the video. Though life these days is no doubt better for most things, the simplicity, lack of crowds and life at a gentler pace draws me to these earlier times.
A clear demonstration of evolution and a notion of “That was then, this is now”. Youngsters today believe today is better than yesterday and will scoff at changes for the future. Beeching was brought in to finalise what BR had started in late 1948 when, after Nationalisation, they decided it was time to reduce services and streamline the operation. Through natural wastage of management due to retirement and death, they needed someone to finalise the “plan”. Beeching gets continually blamed for wielding the axe, but he was simply finalising decisions already made.
Where Dr. Beeching got it wrong (in my humble opinion as someone who's never run BR) was in not taking into account the total revenue of a railway journey, instead of looking only at particular lines, which were segments of, but not the entire, journey, in most cases. Branch line closures reduced the number of people traveling on mainline trains, which made BR's economic situation worse. It's as if you dammed up all the small streams then wondered why the river wasn't flowing like it used to. If people couldn't catch a train at their local station, they figured they might as well drive all the way instead of driving to a distant mainline station to catch a train. This was exacerbated by massive government investment in motorway construction while at the same time, railway investment was being cut. Thus, autos began to enjoy a significant subsidy, albeit a hidden one, while the railways increasingly had to fend for themselves.
ssbohio True, except Beeching would have been well aware of what you say. His remit was to shrink the railway and force people into cars, therefore he chose the method of accounting to justify the cuts.
What wonderful journeys they were,no yuppies on mobile phones and laptops, guzzling plastic pots of porridge.I never go near a train now and I dont pay a penny having worked for BR before vandalisation.
Very interesting video, the Abergavenny-Merthyr line had pretty well disappeared completely by 1977 when I was in the area for a few months, only the odd earthwork remained. Interesting to see that train enthusiasts of that period were similarly aware of latest trends in clothing!
I was 1 back in 58, so I can't really comment on the steam trains etc, but growing up in this era, I soon got to realise that this period was the golden age of Britain, but soon Beacham put an end to many of our little gems, both stations and steam trains.
Inventing what ?, your comment does not make sense, The age of steam is the most profitable of the whole life of the Railway, It was the cheapest form of all, still would be if it was run correctly, No one is arguing that back in the early 60's, the railway was losing money hand over fist, but what you fail to see, is that for over 150 years, it was hugely profitable,
Beecham did put a stop to many small town lines and their stations, he made the decisions to close them, he had the final say, Is that simple for you to understand ? .
The gentleman you're thinking of is Dr. Beeching, not Beacham. Where he got it wrong (in my opinon as someone who's never run BR) was in not taking into account the total revenue of a railway journey, instead of looking only at particular lines, which were segments of, but not the entire, journey, in most cases. Branch line closures reduced the number of people traveling on mainline trains, which made BR's economic situation worse. It's as if you dammed up all the small streams then wondered why the river wasn't flowing like it used to. If people couldn't catch a train at their local station, they figured they might as well drive all the way instead of driving to a distant mainline station to catch a train. This was exacerbated by massive government investment in motorway construction while at the same time, railway investment was being cut. Thus, autos began to enjoy a significant subsidy, albeit a hidden one, while the railways increasingly had to fend for themselves.
I take back decor. It is in fact First Class but If they were in the wrong class then no one seems to have acknowledged that fact: neither the guard nor the family members.
Well worth watching , excellent video .
Fascinating to watch,thank you for posting the video. Though life these days is no doubt better for most things, the simplicity, lack of crowds and life at a gentler pace draws me to these earlier times.
A clear demonstration of evolution and a notion of “That was then, this is now”. Youngsters today believe today is better than yesterday and will scoff at changes for the future. Beeching was brought in to finalise what BR had started in late 1948 when, after Nationalisation, they decided it was time to reduce services and streamline the operation. Through natural wastage of management due to retirement and death, they needed someone to finalise the “plan”. Beeching gets continually blamed for wielding the axe, but he was simply finalising decisions already made.
Where Dr. Beeching got it wrong (in my humble opinion as someone who's never run BR) was in not taking into account the total revenue of a railway journey, instead of looking only at particular lines, which were segments of, but not the entire, journey, in most cases. Branch line closures reduced the number of people traveling on mainline trains, which made BR's economic situation worse.
It's as if you dammed up all the small streams then wondered why the river wasn't flowing like it used to.
If people couldn't catch a train at their local station, they figured they might as well drive all the way instead of driving to a distant mainline station to catch a train. This was exacerbated by massive government investment in motorway construction while at the same time, railway investment was being cut. Thus, autos began to enjoy a significant subsidy, albeit a hidden one, while the railways increasingly had to fend for themselves.
ssbohio True, except Beeching would have been well aware of what you say. His remit was to shrink the railway and force people into cars, therefore he chose the method of accounting to justify the cuts.
Fantastic footage.
Thanks for a very good and interesting video , look forward to the rest of the uploads
What wonderful journeys they were,no yuppies on mobile phones and laptops, guzzling plastic pots of porridge.I never go near a train now and I dont pay a penny having worked for BR before vandalisation.
I am glad tis video is getting so many viewings! Thanks for letting us see it!
This is the old Railway Roundabout series, Amazing to think that TV put this on , can you imagine it today.
I dont think so
Very interesting video, the Abergavenny-Merthyr line had pretty well disappeared completely by 1977 when I was in the area for a few months, only the odd earthwork remained.
Interesting to see that train enthusiasts of that period were similarly aware of latest trends in clothing!
a far cry from the railways of today
I was a mere lad in short trousers in 1958. but i do remember those days
Brilliant.... Thanks for putting this on TH-cam :-)
Lovely old footage ,, like lots :)
Superb vintage filming ,eat your heart Diesal
Diesal?
I was 1 back in 58, so I can't really comment on the steam trains etc, but growing up in this era, I soon got to realise that this period was the golden age of Britain, but soon Beacham put an end to many of our little gems, both stations and steam trains.
Inventing what ?, your comment does not make sense, The age of steam is the most profitable of the whole life of the Railway, It was the cheapest form of all, still would be if it was run correctly, No one is arguing that back in the early 60's, the railway was losing money hand over fist, but what you fail to see, is that for over 150 years, it was hugely profitable,
Beecham did put a stop to many small town lines and their stations, he made the decisions to close them, he had the final say, Is that simple for you to understand ? .
Ignore the clown, he clearly is a conservative Tory puppet.
The gentleman you're thinking of is Dr. Beeching, not Beacham.
Where he got it wrong (in my opinon as someone who's never run BR) was in not taking into account the total revenue of a railway journey, instead of looking only at particular lines, which were segments of, but not the entire, journey, in most cases. Branch line closures reduced the number of people traveling on mainline trains, which made BR's economic situation worse.
It's as if you dammed up all the small streams then wondered why the river wasn't flowing like it used to.
If people couldn't catch a train at their local station, they figured they might as well drive all the way instead of driving to a distant mainline station to catch a train. This was exacerbated by massive government investment in motorway construction while at the same time, railway investment was being cut. Thus, autos began to enjoy a significant subsidy, albeit a hidden one, while the railways increasingly had to fend for themselves.
Lovely - cheers.
That's because rail enthusiasm was mainstream then. No disrespect to those who are not fashion conscious.
i wounder if thsi coal tank and the super d are the same 1s that are preserved ?
I may be wrong, but I think I've seen this footage in other compilations. Feedback to grocer Guy.🤔
I expect the young family mentioned at 9.00 would have been prosecuted and transported to Australia.
I take back decor. It is in fact First Class but If they were in the wrong class then no one seems to have acknowledged that fact: neither the guard nor the family members.
stupendo
The body language, not to mention the decor, doesn't appear to indicate that the 'family' was in the the wrong cabin, i.e. first class.
i do like No.58926.Did u know it was preserved?
Yes, restored to its LNWR condition as number 1054, It runs on the Worth Valley Railway and is off back to South Wales this September.
Yes, it is and back in its/her LNWR number! www.docbrown.info/docspics/ArchiveSteam/loco58926.htm
well we may get them back but at a price everyone wants to rip us off well the name is rip off Britain