Wisbech to Upwell Railway (1961) - The "Grower's Special" [Digitally Restored Film]

Wisbech to Upwell Railway (1961) - The Grower's Special [Digitally Restored Film]*
Presented by John McGregor, this film takes a look at the Wisbech to Upwell Tramway / Railway and in particular, the "Grower's Special".
Includes interviews with Charles Randle (Driver) and Arthur Dowes (Guard).
Digital Film Restoration by Fenland on Film
*To comply with copyright law, we've had to re-edit the film slightly in addition to the restoration work so as to 'make a new work out of it' but it doesn't detract from the original film's charm.

[@drevo50]

Just wonderful. All swept away within a few years of the making of the film.

[@tompetty1880]

Historically important and fascinating footage of our railway heritage, this film has certainly been expertly restored to a very high standard. Seems so atmospheric in ‘b&w’. Thanks for posting.

[@FenlandOnFilm]

That's very kind of you to say, thank you!

[@thestoicsteve]

My grandfather worked on the railways in that area at that time. I look forward to showing this to my Mother who I am sure will recognise some of those locations. Thanks for sharing this.

[@timwebster8122]

Love the details in this. The reporter riding on the outside of the cab.
And the technique the crew use climbing on and off the loco using one hand rail. I've tried it and it works

[@burniemaurins2382]

I can remember this line and the trains from around this time when travelling to go fishing or to visit family in Norfolk.

[@michaelward2082]

I saw a train on this line in 1966, loco, 2 coal wagons and a brake van, Mr David Bailey was one of the drivers, he was still a driver in 1989

[@michaelward2082]

is that David at 03.10?

[@MrNoUsername]

Correction: The basis for Toby is the J70 tram engine, not the Y6 which were on the W&U before the J70s took over. Even though they look similar, they aren’t the same engines. The Y6 being 0-4-0s and the J70 being a 0-6-0 for one difference.
Fun fact: When constructing his scratch-built model of Toby in 1953, Wilbert used a photostat copy of a Y6 drawing as reference as the last Y6 tram was scrapped in 1952

[@danielsellers8707]

Mavis's Mega train🙂