We must be thankful that there were film makers who filmed such charming scenes from a bygone era. I used to live in Reydon and often walked what was left of the Southwold Railway track bed.
This is a much better, far more respectful film than the Gaumont Mirror one also on youtube - they treated it as a ridiculous joke. Nice to see so many good shots of what it was really like. Thank you
It is very much the wealthy Londoners who have bought up most of the property as holiday homes and have objected to the reinstatement of the railway for fear of it attracting the "oiks". I was in Southwold a couple of years ago with my wife. We walked past a small terraced house and I could see inside some very well-dressed people, so I said to my wife "All these little houses are now owned by rich Londoners for their holiday homes", to which my wife replied "You don't know that - they could be the average local". Just then, a man came out and started to walk up the street, then the door was opened again by a woman who called out in a very posh voice "Gerald, don't forget the olives!". I looked at my wife and raised an eyebrow, and she said "Oh...well...".
Just like it is here in Hastings, these Down From London types ALL seem to drive HUGE Chelsea Tractors ( 4x4s ) for no reason other than to show off. Oh and presumably to clog up the local shopping centre car park - that's something they do well !
What a fascinating piece of film. I love Southwold and will be renting a holiday cottage there later this summer. What a shame this lovely old railway isn't still in existence!
Sadly there are some people in the town who don't want it back (mostly rich nimby's who have purchased property in the town for holidays in the last 30 years who appear to influence planners at the local council on their side) the good news is there is a band of enthusiastic volunteers who hope to rebuild a station and small section of the line at nearby Wenhaston.... there is a website just type in southwold railway.
The richer people are the more they lack empathy. They care less for others. This seems to be a human failing which we will never learn from sadly . I am an optimist and a misanthrope together but I teach my children about this weakness which most use to leverage for their own self interest. Lets get Southwold rail connected again to the NR network!
West Coast Railway in Tasmania had similar probs. it was a 3ft 6 line, built on ABT System closed 1963, but through perseverance and finally a Federal Govt grant was restored, and is now one of the premier wilderness rail journeys in the world. Southwold keep pushing, you will get there
My grandmother used to take regular trips in the early 1920's, she used to tell me that september was the best for picking blackberries on the line! I think The Southwold Railway will be operational eventually, simply because you can shift far more on a railway than on a road. Having been educated in Southwold in the 60's, when taffic was never a problem and the Southwold 1B bus was two and a penny. The congestion now, during the summer months is appalling. Park and ride is a sensible solution. Hopefully my investment in two locomotive connecting rods with be worthwhile.
There is a couple of lasting reminders of this wonderful little railway... just by Southwold Sailing Club a short section of narrow gauge rails and buffer stop, and at the Carlton Colville Transport Museum near Lowestoft, an original covered goods wagon.
I think the Railway Trusts' plan is to rebuild the harbour branch and then extend the line to Blythburgh by means of a new bridge further east of the original one
Hope this railway comes into being one day.When it does i will visit southwold, most heritage railways have had to go through a few objectors to get there.
Very True I was talking to the volunteers who are attempting to build the line and a funny thing is they have planning permission but they can't put the track down???
Never say never! Besides, the Steamworks at the old gas works site is opening soon and another group of enthusiasts are rebuilding the line from the Halesworth End, so even if the Southwold Railway isn't completely rebuilt, it should return in one for or another...
We must be thankful that there were film makers who filmed such charming scenes from a bygone era. I used to live in Reydon and often walked what was left of the Southwold Railway track bed.
This is a much better, far more respectful film than the Gaumont Mirror one also on youtube - they treated it as a ridiculous joke. Nice to see so many good shots of what it was really like. Thank you
What a cracking film. Not just historic but hopefully something that will inspire those who intend to rebuild it. Thanks very much for posting.
Paul England
The walk from the site of the old station to the pub at Blythburgh is most pleasant, as is the return . . . . (no buses!).
It is very much the wealthy Londoners who have bought up most of the property as holiday homes and have objected to the reinstatement of the railway for fear of it attracting the "oiks". I was in Southwold a couple of years ago with my wife. We walked past a small terraced house and I could see inside some very well-dressed people, so I said to my wife "All these little houses are now owned by rich Londoners for their holiday homes", to which my wife replied "You don't know that - they could be the average local". Just then, a man came out and started to walk up the street, then the door was opened again by a woman who called out in a very posh voice "Gerald, don't forget the olives!". I looked at my wife and raised an eyebrow, and she said "Oh...well...".
Just like it is here in Hastings, these Down From London types ALL seem to drive HUGE Chelsea Tractors ( 4x4s ) for no reason other than to show off. Oh and presumably to clog up the local shopping centre car park - that's something they do well !
dryadmusic (
What a fascinating piece of film. I love Southwold and will be renting a holiday cottage there later this summer. What a shame this lovely old railway isn't still in existence!
A sight we hope to see again.
Sadly there are some people in the town who don't want it back (mostly rich nimby's who have purchased property in the town for holidays in the last 30 years who appear to influence planners at the local council on their side) the good news is there is a band of enthusiastic volunteers who hope to rebuild a station and small section of the line at nearby Wenhaston.... there is a website just type in southwold railway.
The richer people are the more they lack empathy. They care less for others. This seems to be a human failing which we will never learn from sadly . I am an optimist and a misanthrope together but I teach my children about this weakness which most use to leverage for their own self interest. Lets get Southwold rail connected again to the NR network!
West Coast Railway in Tasmania had similar probs. it was a 3ft 6 line, built on ABT System closed 1963, but through perseverance and finally a Federal Govt grant was restored, and is now one of the premier wilderness rail journeys in the world. Southwold keep pushing, you will get there
What a gem! Good Luck on it's resurrection!
My grandmother used to take regular trips in the early 1920's, she used to tell me that september was the best for picking blackberries on the line! I think The Southwold Railway will be operational eventually, simply because you can shift far more on a railway than on a road. Having been educated in Southwold in the 60's, when taffic was never a problem and the Southwold 1B bus was two and a penny. The congestion now, during the summer months is appalling. Park and ride is a sensible solution. Hopefully my investment in two locomotive connecting rods with be worthwhile.
Sweet - both the video AND the music. Cheers...
What a lovely railway...
There is a couple of lasting reminders of this wonderful little railway...
just by Southwold Sailing Club a short section of narrow gauge rails and buffer stop, and at the Carlton Colville Transport Museum near Lowestoft, an original covered goods wagon.
I think the Railway Trusts' plan is to rebuild the harbour branch and then extend the line to Blythburgh by means of a new bridge further east of the original one
The last train - for the time being . . .
At 3:07 > 3:12 the building in the background still exists, as a hotel then and now.
lovely bit of social history. thanks for posting. wish they would rebuild it; i'd go visit for the ride.
Hope this railway comes into being one day.When it does i will visit southwold, most heritage railways have had to go through a few objectors to get there.
Very True I was talking to the volunteers who are attempting to build the line and a funny thing is they have planning permission but they can't put the track down???
Visit the town anyway. Staying overnight will probably be expensive but well worth it. British holidays of the 1950s - still . . .
The amount of outside money in this town explains why this line will probably be rebuilt!!!!!!!!
Saddly it will never happen. The town of southwold dont want the railway back. From what I have heard.
Sources?
Never say never! Besides, the Steamworks at the old gas works site is opening soon and another group of enthusiasts are rebuilding the line from the Halesworth End, so even if the Southwold Railway isn't completely rebuilt, it should return in one for or another...
@@alexhando8541 You have the right idea mate
Lovely atmospheric video and sountrack,
what happened to the music after around 7.49 mins?
I ran out of track!!
WHEN DID IT CLOSED MY GRANPARENTS USE TO TALKE ABOUT SOUTHWOLD TRAIN
1929
It closed in 1929