Lee Brimmer her, Siobhans husband. My late mother took me on this line just before it closed, at the time I wanted to go on the main line to St. Pancras . Moaned like hell but in later years couldn't stop thanking her thanks Mum.Also knew the late Brian Lockey, great guy for us youngsters when he ran the SBLC, RIP Brian.
@laurence_rj61402 ай бұрын
This is truly amazing, I always knew somewhere extensive footage would appear of this particular line, my best friend bob Sinclair used to travel on this line in the 40s 50s and 60s sadly my friend passed away 2 years ago, he would of loved to see this footage, he talked about the line frequently, at bute street he saw 10000 & 10001 in 1949, being a steam fan he wasn't impressed.
@jenbermol2 ай бұрын
This is solid gold. I travelled on this line between WGC and Luton when I was a young child.
@AlfredRoberts-g1c3 ай бұрын
Thanks for that I was at one time going to retain the railway line between the embankment and the park as a heritage attraction and had extensive dialogue with Luton borough council on this. But the scheme fell through. Now I plan to build a heritage attraction at the site of Dunstable North station and restore the old railway line towards le8h
@terryansell66413 ай бұрын
As a young man and a train spotter I often went by train to Leighton Buzzard train spotting what a childhood I had brillian.
@markbowerbank91753 ай бұрын
Great video. Really enjoying the series on this line. The diesel on the track lifting train is a Class 27 (BRCW/Sulzer), not a Class 25.
@eddiemaylor27163 ай бұрын
Was the cold storage siding on the Dunstable side or the blows Down side of the track?
@nigel20933 ай бұрын
I love these video's, they're so interesting. Yet I have this real sense of sadness when I watch them too, when I remember what a brilliant railway network we once had in this country, with such diverse rolling stock. The photo at 3:38 is a perfect example
@whyyoulidl4 ай бұрын
Just what I always wanted to do - retrace the L&D railways. Thx for yr resesrch and sharing - those photo comparisons are epic 👏🏿👏🏿👏🏿 Edit: SUBSCRIBED 👍🏿
@ai53934 ай бұрын
Quality stuff right here.
@sjcuk4 ай бұрын
As a kid I would cycle from Wheat'std to my Nan in Beeching Close, Harpenden. Even back then it grieved locals that cyclists were forced onto the dangerous Lower Luton Road as the landowners wouldn't allow access to the old track bed.
@sjcuk4 ай бұрын
My Mum grew up on Willoughby Road Harpenden, behind the signal post. My Nan still lived in the rented family home until in her later years she was relocated, not too far too Beeching Close! Being born in 1969 it pains me that I missed everything that once was. You've inspired me to revisit the route but I will wait for a sunny winters day. Thanks for doing this.
@nickleics4 ай бұрын
Congratulations on becoming a grandfather! What an amazing video, thank you for taking the (presumably incredible amount of) time required to make it.
@iretiklase42234 ай бұрын
It's a brilliant video. Gives people who moved to Dunstable recently some useful historical context. Thanks mate for this.
@gammr32274 ай бұрын
cant wait for the harpenden east video
@gammr32275 ай бұрын
its still surprising that out of everywhere on the line, the only original surviving sleeper is right next to a giant shopping area
@rogerdraycott34865 ай бұрын
Great video once again, really enjoy these films. Thanks again
@gammr32275 ай бұрын
ive commented here before but I just want to say you have no idea how incredible this video is for someone who lives near the railway. Before this all I had to go off was black and white pictures scattered across the internet. then one day on my recommended page i see a 20 minute long colour video of almost the entire railway! It was like Christmas for me. Please keep doing what you do.
@ThePhosphater5 ай бұрын
Thanks for a interesting video
@gammr32275 ай бұрын
7:00 if you do some rummaging around in the bushes opposite to the signal you can find a steel ladder. Im fairly sure that used to be attached to the signal.
@toxidron28805 ай бұрын
I do not understand why this was recommended to me but i like the concept an the stop motion intro 😂👍 love random vids of people and their passion!
@toxidron28805 ай бұрын
It is fascinating to see how landscapes have changed over time :D and old relicts of technology hidden in reclaimed nature
@toxidron28805 ай бұрын
Nature is a harsh mistress. She is beautiful and she will not care about you as much as anyone else. She does and will outlive anyone of us after all.
@vincephillips88556 ай бұрын
They just keep getting better.Looking forward to Part 5😂
@ThePhosphater6 ай бұрын
I do enjoy your walks and Video's
@GeorgeEdward-rv3on6 ай бұрын
Another great video! Enjoying the knowledge and the photographs - are they all from Geoff and Sue's archives?
@gepxplore97106 ай бұрын
Yes they are. We are so grateful for Geoff and Sue. One photo is from another source, a friend of Andy’s who sadly passed away.
@GeorgeEdward-rv3on6 ай бұрын
@@gepxplore9710 Sorry to hear that. Keep up the good work! Love the videos.
@christopherbentley52166 ай бұрын
I do miss those days,when dad took me on a train and it was such an adventure. This line and the OXF-CAM were closed in haste,and today the government spend billions trying to reopen these lost lines. The 60s were brilliant,, steam ,music and no stabbings on our streets . The only thing that has got better is medicine. i.M.O
@GeorgeEdward-rv3on6 ай бұрын
Great video, really enjoying this series
@matthewwren11776 ай бұрын
Somewhere close to bridge No 20, on the line there must have been a train crash because someone I used to know walked a long the line and found railway wagons parts and he took them home and I saw them then a few years later in the late 1980 or early 1990s I walked a long and found a wagon buffer that I picked up at the same location but I was young at the time and a few years later I moved house and left the buffer behind. I wish I had not left the buffer behind.
@StuartEaglesham6 ай бұрын
Another great and informative video guys....👍🏻
@roystratton32326 ай бұрын
Also been on the train from Bute Street to Welwyn Garden City
@roystratton32326 ай бұрын
Really enjoyed your video ,when Luton was in the cup final year we were drawn away to Blackpool,we got on the train from Bute Street to via Leighton Buzzard and onto the Euston line to Blackpool.
@LeslieTaylor-v7b6 ай бұрын
Gavin really enjoyed that one. Loved the old black and white pictures. Looking forward to the next one 👍
@gammr32276 ай бұрын
the level of detail you have of each area is incredible, what is your source for all these images?
@gepxplore97106 ай бұрын
Andy is good friends with Geoff and Sue Woodward. They have given us permission to use their books and photos. Andy also has his own collection of photos etc. have a look for some of their books on Google search. They are brilliant. I hope to get a chance to interview them one day.
@gammr32276 ай бұрын
@@gepxplore9710 that sounds like an excellent read. What are the names of their books?
@gepxplore97106 ай бұрын
@gammr3227 Branch Line to Hemel Hempstead The Nickey Line. The Harpenden to Hemel Hempstead Railway The Nickey Line. Branch Line to Dunstable from Leighton Buzzard to Hatfield. The Hatfield, Luton and Dunstable Railway (and onto Leighton Buzzard)
@rogerdraycott34866 ай бұрын
Very interesting and have cycled this route. Thanks for sharing.
@nerysphillips45086 ай бұрын
Great work guys. Loved it ☺️
@Billcipher123j6 ай бұрын
MRS PHILLIPS ITS TOMMY
@jonathanjames39847 ай бұрын
03:00 No you took the left route.
@ThaThree7 ай бұрын
What wildlife have you seen there over the years? I just really want to see a snake! I live in Bedfordshire so I really want to make the visit if it's worth it.
@gepxplore97106 ай бұрын
Sadly I have never seen a snake there… anyone else seen one?
@simontaylor23198 ай бұрын
My sister & me & our mother often rode on this line fmom Harpenden East to WGC Dept Stores, until it closed in '65. Being twins (my sister & me that is) we had to go in the guards van as the pram wouldn't fit in the carriage! I did write to BR in the '70s to ask if the line could be reopened, but was informed that parts of the track had been sold for housing (at Harpenden East) Still have their reply. In Dunsatble we have no station (there were 2)
@gepxplore97106 ай бұрын
Hopefully you will like our newest videos. We end up at Harpenden East… stay tuned…
@zozoa19 ай бұрын
I use to go to Roundwood school that was next to the Nicky Line. We often played on it even when the trains ran on it. My mum used to say to me what are you up to today. Oh I’m playing on the Nicky Line. Well be careful and make sure you’re back by 5.00 for tea. I was nine. Happy memories
@f1835711 ай бұрын
I like the way they had new diesel trains. Some money must have been invested in line before plug was pulled looks like no passengers.
@f1835711 ай бұрын
Fascinating I lived in Luton in the 1980's and knew nothing about this history.
@edwardwilliammorris1340 Жыл бұрын
I'm from st albans and this isn't to far from me . I'm guessing you know about the alban way in st albans? If not check it out 👍 thanks for the video , I will get over soon when the weather warms up ❄️
@rodmcleod4805 Жыл бұрын
Just watched part 5. I remember when I was young the entrance to Bute Street station was where Birch Bros buses used to operate from. There was often a smell of fish in the vicinity. I also remember the awful smell of the gas works before natural gas became available. Mind you,they had to add a smell to it as people were gassing themselves without realising it....
@DouglasBrightman-yb8ry Жыл бұрын
Really enjoyed this video Born in Luton in 1955 Lived in Ash road till i moved to Norfolk after Vauxhall closed Loved seeing again old parts of the town again and how it has all changed Many thanks
@rogerdraycott3486 Жыл бұрын
Does anyone know when Hatters way was built ? Fantastic videos as usual
@rogerdraycott3486 Жыл бұрын
As a Luton boy i remember all of this. My Dad worked in y block (Vauxhall) and we went blackberry picking on the railway there. Can also remember the bridge in Vauxhall rd at h block. Thanks for sharing
@rogerdraycott3486 Жыл бұрын
Excellent video as bought back many memories, thanks for sharing
@StephenVidal-i9g Жыл бұрын
superb stuff again. love this series
@gammr3227 Жыл бұрын
i feel like not making the track go the length of the station when they restored wheathamstead ruined the immersion. But its still awesome
@StuartEaglesham Жыл бұрын
That small section next to power court still has a small amount of track still in situe before you reach the old bridge
@gepxplore97106 ай бұрын
Andy had a look there just recently, I think it’s all gone now :(
@StuartEaglesham6 ай бұрын
@@gepxplore9710 yes it went a about a month ago as they cleared the site ready for removing the electric substation and realignment of the river lea