Parkinsons Walks Friday Vlog + Dursley Branchline
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 25 ก.ค. 2024
- This week, that lovely garden steam railway, on a real railway, the search for an exclusive cross-over in Evesham and finally a look at the remains of the Dursley branchline
Home to the adventurous subscriber. As well as films we have a bi-weekly Vlog to keep up to date on the previous and next week’s videos, and a chance for all to air their views on a variety of subjects, why not join in.
My passion has been walking, a while ago I was diagnosed with Parkinson’s and walking does not come naturally any more, however the more I walk the easier it gets, for now anyway. I hope these videos will inspire others to keep going and hanging on in there. I try to cover variety of subjects, such as old abandoned railways, and canals. I love the Forest of Dean in Gloucestershire, with its rich history and I usually take my camera whenever we holiday in the southwest and Cornwall. The rugged coastal paths are a magnet for anyone who loves dramatic scenery. I live close to the Cotswolds Hills and have done quite a lot of walking around there, recently, following some of the lovely rivers. Hill walking on the Malvern’s is a challenge but worth the effort. I try not to let Parkinson’s get me down and take every opportunity to get out with my camera and film, I hope you enjoy watching. P.W. - บันเทิง
A great walk on familiar ground for me. This is getting spooky as you had a few recent videos exploring Evesham, which is where I live now, and in this one you are in the Cam / Dursley area, where I lived until about seven years ago. I have often thought myself how beautiful the countryside is around Dursley. Though I guess that applies equally to most of the Stroud area. Back in the 1970s, I was accepted as apprentice at Listers. They had a division located between Stroud and Brimscombe. Mel
Hi Mel, nice to hear from you. Sounds like we have you surrounded. Take care. Ron
Quite right plub Bob levels unbelievable. Lazer levels and concrete nowadays. In my area ( Ledbury Cradley suckley) there are some amazing old Bridges with spiral brickwork so much work but look Fantastic. Always enjoy your videos regards Sam Woodward 😊
Thanks Sam, nice to have you with us. Take care. Ron
Don’t be too hard on yourself, You did a Great Job navigating that Maze of Footpaths 😵💫 Wonderful Countryside indeed and a Fantastic Feast of Fences, Bridges, Abutments, Retainers and Pylons for us Lovers of Civil Engineering. Thanks for Taking us along 👏🏻
You are very kind Donni. Thank you. Ron
An interesting treck , uncovering what remains of this former branchline, from a rather neglected iron footbridge and a humble accomodation bridge, to that collection of vertical concrete pillars and horizontal slabs of a bridge, further up the line. Certainly not a treck for a SatNave, or a misleading guidebook. But, journey's end, lifted the spirits, with views over beautiful green fields and woodland, to the hills above Dursley.
Hi Malcolm, yes an enjoyable ramble, fighting the vague clues in the walk guide
Good evening Ron, I've not commented lately as I usually get to your splendid films when the trail of comments has gone cold. However, today it's different and I enjoyed your film of the Dursley branch because of the memories that it provoked and also because of the absolute contrast between today's landscape and those of 1967.
Yes, I worked for R.A.Lister in 1967 in their very immature Computer Department which had been 'parachuted' into a somewhat unprepared company by Mr. Percy Lister, after a visit to the Business Efficiency Exhibition in London. At least, that was the story!
The view from my second floor office window was of the operational freight yard and the station buildings at the terminus of the line.
The steam hauled 'Dursley Donkey' was, even then, a thing of memory and repute, but long gone!
We still had company freight delivered by rail using short freight trains drawn by class 6300 diesel engines. Passenger traffic was no more and I don't recall whether the station at Coaley Junction was still open in 1967, but, of course, it is now!
Progress Indeed!
The factory was then still very active, having recently been acquired by, and absorbed into, the Hawker Siddeley Engineering Group as they diversified. Petters Oil Engines were still active competitors of R.A.Lister in the small diesel engine business but they too were subsequently absorbed into the Lister Petter combine.
Remember too that the Petter Company launched aircraft manufacture in Yeovil, where I now live, and Mr. Petter's original house is a couple of hundred yards from my front door.
It's a Small world!
Best regards,
Martin Warr
Excellent! Thank you for some great recollections there John. Paul
Hi John, lovely to hear from you with some wonderful memories of your time in Dursley. Thanks for that. Take care. Ron
What great memories John, thank you very much!!
A lovely walk, there, Ron .if you want to go to cam and dursley, you'll have to walk now!
Thanks Michael. Take care. Ron
Good morning Ron. That revived many memories as in 1968 I started my apprenticeship at the Dursley Gazette. Watching your film makes me wish I had explored more while living there, but always seemed to be too busy. Apart from Listers, I think there was an engineering firm called Mawdesleys, or something like that. Kind regards, Rodney.
Lovely to have stirred up those old memories Rodney. Happy days. Ron
Good morning Ron!
Well, I have just fuelled up with porridge and coffee and I am about to head out on a lost railway walk on what promises to be a sunny but cold day - more rain is on the way tomorrow!
Thought I'd try and catch your vlog though on the day it goes out, rather than a few days later.
Thanks for the mention - just another thought about your garden railway video - another reason that it has done so well I think, is because these garden railways are rare - often they are closed off to the general public, unlike heritage railways, so it is unusual that you can get access to one and see it close up. I think there are a couple in nearby Herefordshire, but you are only allowed in if you have 'connections'. I am so glad and pleased that these enthusiasts do though, and for your good self for capturing it too.
A lot of what you captured in that Dursley video has since disappeared under new housing - I am often surprised that, although I have been filming for a couple of years, things have already changed considerably on some of my earlier films - time moves so fast, I guess. It was a lovely film.
Great vlog! Thanks Ron, take care, and hope you have a good week.
Paul
Hi Paul, my balance isn't what it was so I have to be careful of ice. Sometimes you just can't win.
I can't believe we have a housing shortage, everywhere you look, houses are being built.
We need you to keep filming! Ron
@@ParkinsonsWalks Thank you Ron, and take care. It was a successful mission today - two tunnels, one of which I think you have covered previously.
@@westcountrywanderings And you are back safe, well done. Ron
@@ParkinsonsWalks Thanks Ron! Yes, it was quite the epic explore! Not just tunnels but loads of abandoned houses in the Wye Valley on the way back to my car in Goodrich too. Hope you have a great Sunday! Cheers, Paul
Glad to hear the threat of flooding has receded from you village.
As to your film... I sat there with my book of the Old Gloucestershire Railways, which did help a little this occasion. I could see where you got some of your old pictures from! Keep active Ron. We're with you all the way
Hi Lionel, you did well, I can only follow walks from a map, and then not very well. Thanks for staying with me. Ron
Afternoon Ron, when it comes to the 1947 flood I remember a photo taken from the roof of the Telephone Exchange in Berkeley Street in Gloucester. The water came all the way up Westgate street to the Cathedral. Makes me wonder in the marshelling yards you found near Over bridge would of been underwater? Or even the Gloucester to Chepstow line?
Wind this weekend just to make a change from rain.
Interesting point Simon. I have never seen that reported, perhaps someone will enlighten us. Keep swinging. Ron
Good Morning Ron - greetings from Poland
Superb Matters Arising today. Now the film - fantastic! Loved the Victorian foorbridge that went nowhere. What a shame nobody wants to take responsibility for it. The meander through housing estates, shopping districts and past factories made the walk interesting. The hidden bridges old photographs and your intrepid desire to get from beginning to end made the video all that more enjoyable.
Michael you are very kind, thanks for your support, Look after yourself. Ron
Good frosty morning Ron. Its good to see some of your old films. Like most things there's more to see the second time round. Petters were originally in Yeovil and only joined with RA Lister in 1986. Ive had a couple of Lister engines A model A and the famous D Mind you that was a long time ago when my brother had a 1912 Blackstone oil engine and dad had a super rare Hayward and Tyler Hot Air engine form the late 1800s Stay warm ! Pete
Sounds like engineering runs in the family Pete, nice to think you are keeping it going. Ron
Afternoon Pete. Have you considered a G scale layout in the garden? A bit pricey but at least it will fit. Could be an interesting challenge building viaducts and bridges out of real stone. Plus a lake, and a tunnel and and...............
@@thehairygolfer sadly I have a tiny garden . Mind you I could follow your lead and use N gauge !!
@@petepaine5331 All you need is 3 foot by 2 foot and you can do N gauge. Spare bedrooms are good, the attic not so good as you need to insulate it all. I'm going to investigate the cost of that over the next few months. Not sure I'll get approval from the finance officer though........
A very enjoyable vlog, Ron. Still rather cold, but I’m just about to set out in search of the long lost Central Junction Railway, ( or one of very few accessible sections!) Wish me luck! Keep warm, rain incoming. Ron.
Hi Ron, I feel guilty now because I'm not going out, too icy for me. Mind how you go. Ron
@@ParkinsonsWalks stay in the warm, Ron. This explore will be fairly short, but part of it is on a muddy bridle path, so I want to do it while the ground is frozen (hopefully). Another few wet days coming up, but might improve later next week, and a bit warmer. Ron.
Good evening Ron. Thank you for today’s vlog and video of the Dursley Donkey branch line. Pretty cold over here near the Wye valley, but I have to admit I would rather this cold bright and clear weather that the higher temperatures with mist and rain that we are due to get from tomorrow onwards. I have been doing lots of walking in the Brecon Beacons which are local to me recently and the lovely cold crisp but totally wind less weather makes the views from up there absolutely staggering. The beautiful colours and incredible contrast that you only get in the winter months really add to the pleasure.
I’m sure from your own research that you are aware of the history of the Dursley branch, but I thought I would add some detail for those members of the Parkinson’s family who are not familiar with it. As you mentioned in the video, the line was opened initially to serve the various businesses along the route, but also saw passenger operation start very shortly after the opening too. On the 6th July 1844 the Bristol & Gloucester Railway (B&GR) had opened its line between these two cities. This made the possibility of a branch to Dursley a possibility as the B&GR line passed close to the town. Therefore, in order to serve the industries along the Cam valley to Dursley, in 1852 the business owners formed the Dursley and Midland Junction Railway (D&MJR) with the aim of building a branch from Coaley Junction on the B&GR line via Cam to Dursley. The proposals were submitted to Parliament in 1855 and Royal Ascent was received on 25th May 1855. The branch was to be a total of 2 miles 47 chains with an estimated building cost of £12,000 (the final building cost was actually £15,765). However, the D&MJR were far from prosperous and could only afford to build the line with second hand material obtained from the Midland Railway (MR) who by now had taken over by the B&GR. The Dursley branch was opened to goods traffic on 25th August 1856 with passenger services commencing the following month on 17th September, the service being worked by the MR. However, a year later, despite being over £1000 in the red, the D&MJR decided it could operate the branch more economically and took over the working of it from the MR. The D&MJR soldiered on running the line until 1860 when, due to increasing financial losses, the branch was sold to the MR for £10,750. The branch left the MR main line at Coaley Junction station. The current Cam and Dursley station is built at the far northern extreme of the original Coaley Junction station site where the cattle pens were located. Coaley Junction station had two sidings and an access loop for the small goods yard and goods shed. It was constructed in “cottage” style and was, curiously, set at right angles to the main line. The line then continued as single track. After leaving Coaley Junction, the line passed over the river Cam at Draycott. The bridge over the river was originally constructed of timber but, after the ganger had refused to accept responsibility for it when he observed it moving beneath trains, it was replaced by the concrete structure (featured in the video) in 1948. Just after the bridge there was a short facing siding into Draycott Mill. A short distance further on there was another short facing siding into Middle Mills before the line arrived at the only intermediate station of Cam. At Cam station there were two sidings, one being for use by Cam Mills, the other for stabling rolling stock. Cam station was situated at the northern end of the village and had a single platform with a brick building and a wooden goods shed. Shortly after leaving Cam the line crossed the river Cam once more before a trailing siding into a corn mill was encountered. Another facing siding to serve a brewery was then passed before the branch entered Dursley station where a loop and goods and locomotive shed sidings were provided. A private siding for the Lister company was also provided. The locomotive shed at Dursley actually pre-dated the railway, it being an existing structure converted to this new use. The station building was of red brick construction, with a slate roof, tall chimneys and all round canopies. The building initially consisted of a waiting room, booking hall and booking office. However, the booking office was extended in 1890 to include a stationmaster’s office.
At the railway grouping in 1924 the branch came under the control of the GWR, before coming under BR at its formation in 1948: in 1957 the branch came under the control of the Western Region of BR. By the early 1960’s the branch was suffering competition from buses and it closed to passengers on 10th September 1962. Goods traffic soldiered on sporadically through the 1960’s with it being eventually retained as a private line for Listers. However, this service eventually ended and the branch closed for good on 13th July 1970.
Well, I hope this has proved to be interesting for those who are unfamiliar with the branch line and I look forward to next week’s finale of the “Evesham” series, although I’m not sure I will have much left to contribute to that! In the meantime, have a great week Ron. Best wishes, Trev.
Hi Trev, Brecon Beacons in winter sounds wonderful! I hiked it once and was struck by the beauty in summer. I remember coming off our "base" and walking into Ystradfellte and going into the pub, it was like the opening scene from An American Werewolf in London, as the voices hushed!!. Thanks for adding all the detail, worth reading John's memories just below too. Have a great weekend!!
@@davidberlanny3308 Hi David. Yes, the beacons are good anytime of the year really, but you can usually guarantee clearer weather and less haze in the winter. And, of course, whenever you go for a walk, a pub at the end is de rigour!! Have a great week
Trev, I don't know how you do it, what some fabulous information about the history of the branch. On behalf of all enthusiasts on this channel, thank you. Ron
Hi Trev, I received this three times, I deleted copies 2 &3. When I was building the script for this weeks vlog it had gone missing so it didn't get included. Now I come to write this and its back again. I haven't a clue what is going on and there is a fair chance you won't receive this I guess. Good old TH-cam. Frustrated Ron
I worked at workmen bros Draycott flour mills closed in 1965 . The bridge at everlands was built a round 1954
All the mills had sidings The bridge at Draycott was rebuilt just after the war
If you turn into the old coaley station the old goods shed has been converted to a house
As you drive over the M 5 first road left is the old station house and the old goods shed
Thanks ron for all videos as i live in tuffley now
Hi Ken, thanks for all that info. I was born in Tuffley. Ron
Good frosty Friday morning Ron. That was very interesting and another bit of old railway I wish we had explored. I saw the branch line even had its own little siding curving off at Draycott Mill. Some wonderful names along the line too like Teetotal Valley! Nice to see you at Cam & Dursley International as one of my friends called it. When the train to Bristol stopped there you could catch a glimpse of the goods shed on the left so wonder if that has gone now. I hope not. You might have to get on the train to check. It used to be Coaley Junction station in times gone by but perhaps they renamed it thinking no one knew where that was? Maybe. I’m definitely with everyone about feet on the seats. There are notices up on most Northern trains but it doesn’t stop people. Moan moan. Many thanks. Kind regards. Marilyn
Hi Marilyn, before it was named Coaley Junction it was named after another local village. Coaley kicked up a stink and demanded their own station. British rail as it was, thought the problem through and just renamed the existing station 'Coaley Junction'. Everybody happy. Take care. Ron
That’s very interesting Ron. Do you know what it was before that? Must have been very early.
@@marilynbalderstone696 Hi Marilyn, it was called 'Dursley Junction' and was renamed on the 1st of October 1870. Take care. Ron
Hi Ron. James finally gave me back the computer...something about ordering too many balls online...nothing to do with me, honest. Anyway, it's bone-chilling here, even with my fur coat on. It was nice to see your Film Club and be reminded that things will get better. Watching today, I heard James muttering something about "the same guy must have written MY country walks in the Cotswolds book", apparently James gave up after trying to follow the confusing directions and being taken miles from where he should have been. Maybe you should write a "Cotswold Walks for Dummies" book, I have a buyer here for you if you do. Take care Ron, see you next week. Your friend, Sumac OVM
Hi Sumac, I can't believe James would blame you for those ball orders, it's obvious someone hacked into the network and ordered them to make you look bad. And this from someone who can't read a map. Incredible. Hang in there. Ron
Mornin’ Ron, A lovely film today Ron, that foot bridge looks like it was what Frank Hornby based his O Gauge models on; it’s a shame that it appears somewhat forlorn and forgot. I had a chuckle at 19:55, that was definitely Professor Yaffle, I wondered where he had got to after Bagpuss!!
You spotted some magnificent trees, there was a lovely willow too, thats about the only tree I can instantly recognize!! Well done for pointing out the rails holding back the river bank they will take some time to rust away. The music at the start was a perfect accompaniment to the film.
Anyway, Christmas is now well behind us and Nuria has recovered from a bout of COVID, somehow I escaped it this time.
You know I missed a trick, not much point in drilling holes in the frying pan especially given that the size of gold was incredibly small, very fine laminas no nuggets and a low yield which eventually made it uneconomic.
The trip to the mine was a great afternoons walk, lots of old abandoned buildings, channels, tunnels, culverts almost a martian landscape. Now that I’ve been I can find its easily seen from the main road which I have driven so many times before.
Of course after the walk I did some more investigation and yesterday found me walking over the aqueduct that formed part of the canal that brought the water in from higher up the valley. Then of course you go there and discovery lots more to see as well!!
My sister had to abandon her car yesterday near to Wadebridge due to icy and snowy conditions on the road, she made it the farmshop on foot and was hoping for a lift back ……. any chance you could pop down to help her out?😁😁🤣🤣
Have a great weekend!!
Hi David, those mines sound interesting, I love trying to work out what all the bits did in those places. Well done Nuria, If your sister can wait until March we will be down then.
Take care. Ron
@@ParkinsonsWalks Its a real crusade trying to find information but great fun and when you do find something it makes it all worthwhile. For example I found some old photos well over 100 years old showing water blasting of the rock face.
I'll let my sister know that you're on you way then!!
@@davidberlanny3308 Thanks David, I'm sure your sister will be delighted. Ron
Hey Ron greetings from Germany! Hope your doing well keep up your amazing work!
Hi there, thanks for that kind message, nice to have you with us. Ron