Abandoned Railway Station 60 Years on.

#abandoned #railway #explore
Thanks for joining us on todays little walk and explore. We walk along a section of the Abandoned Spratt and Winkle Railway Line which once connected Andover to Southampton. Sadly a Beeching cut which has left us with no connection directly north to south.
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Fullerton Old Pic (Also Thumbnail): Lamberhurst CC: 2.0

[@niceviewoverthere4463]

You don't need to thank us for watching. You are the generous ones for providing our entertainment!

[@tecsnippetsuk]

I'm pretty sure the 'Fence letters' are relatively recent and not railway related, I used this line back in the '60s and I don't recall seeing them. While the line was still open in 1964 I made a special trip to Fullerton to walk the abandoned line between there and Longparish. Although the rails had been removed some years previously the route was completely intact and accessible, apart from the Wherwell Station site which was fenced off and needed a detour. I remember that along the way there were some impressively deep cuttings with white chalk sides, and in some places the trackbed was partly blocked by large chalk boulders that had started to fall from the sides. The deepest cutting was around 15 metres (50 foot) deep, a sort of gigantic chalk canyon. On the Beeching comments by the way, one of the issues at the time was the lack of any attempt by railway managers to cut the costs of lines, and potentially save them. The Andover to Romsey line was an example, remaining double tracked and fully staffed to the end. Diesel multiple units were introduced on the line in the late 1950s and it was one one of these that I left Fullerton for the last time.

[@johnduffin3361]

in 1959 i left the train at Fullerton Junction and walked to Longparish this line was used for storing wagons (hundreds of em) condemmed awaiting shipment to Eastleigh works for breaking up,Wherwell station was still being lived in but Longparish station was totally derelict and i found old tickets in the booking hall but i dont remember that wierd fence at Fullerton,was being served by Hampshire Diesels (the growlers) between Romsey and Andover Junction at the time and closed the same time as the andover to Swindon branch in the early 1960''s

[@rogeroneill1539]

Everyone used to know what those panels meant but then a pair of youtubers came along and unsolved it and now it's a mystery to all.

[@pwhitewick]

...and what a great job we did. 🤪

[@Johnny_Tambourine]

I think it's nice that Harry kept his fondness for train stations after he grew up. And I think it's great that he ended up marrying Hermione's prettier sister.

[@nilo70]

Well, You both look just that bit younger. It was this kind of content that made me subscribe back in the day.

[@MrDazvere]

I love the fact that when humans have discarded something, nature eventually claims it back.

[@leecornwell1062]

I'm very excited and happy that you got those stations and trains and tracks back to life and business l pray to God that they will do the same thing to the abandoned Rail road s all over 55 States this year so all those Rail road could be unbanned bring it back to life even though you have the bike trailer s jogging have those Rail road trains a long side so people could see the railroad trains passing by It could be alight Rail trains or fraigt trains or something

[@MrDazvere]

@@leecornwell1062 ???? You’ve lost me there mate?

[@JP_TaVeryMuch]

@@MrDazvere A bit like the proposed Camden"High Line " where the plan is to tart up the disused double track section which is right next to the still running live other double track. So not much like the NY High Line as a few shrubs and planters aren't going to whisk you away to rus in urbe whilst the Overground and intercontinental freight trains chunter alongside. Some of us might like that though...

[@alanparsons6779]

I've heard from Andy Roderts that they came from some theatrical building and were use just to plug the holes in the fencing.

[@liambullard3000]

Given they are on private land perhaps asking the landowner might shed some light on the history of them

[@drinkwater319]

Considering it hasn't been developed it's most probably still government owned land.....it looks like it as the green sign on the gate behind which is the river, states Private Land. If it's all private land the sign wouldn't be there and there wouldn't be a fence....that's my guess anyway

[@Randomstuffs261]

The only solution I can come up with is for you to recreate the outlines / patterns in software and then do a reverse google image search to see if the same patterns appear somewhere on the internet.

[@andymiller4971]

You two are hilarious .... Interesting ....but hilarious ...always loving the vids...carry on the stirling effort.

[@eddiek0507]

Interesting video, Spratt and Winkle, what a great name for a railway line...😁👍🏼👍🏼

[@roboftherock]

Which end was which? That's the mystery (for unlocals)

[@a11csc]

at least you can still cover stuff on your own doorstep so still a winner for the channel thank you both

[@raphaelnikolaus0486]

I would "clean it up" in way, but not get rid of the trees. I would clear the platforms from the greenery (not the trees), so that one can see the platforms clearly. - That's only one thought.

[@chrisfrost8456]

GooD idea leave Nature to do its wonders then what you say leaves a bit of Mystery then people can look up the rest.

[@michaelpilling9659]

Fascinating! I have no idea about the sign panels. Super video all the same.

[@stevemarshall3481]

You have such a great chemistry, i almost forget what you're talking about and get engrossed in both of your humour 🤣

[@butchknapman3939]

Good your back Rebecca, opening up with a bit comedy. Your good with unsolve in my book but you could play about here for hours with that problem. Good luck in your quest to find out what symbols are

[@FistsOfHam]

Whoever had the idea of the intro, I appreciate it. I'm a new subscriber but never apologise for showing a sense of humour, you guys a great.

[@manmeetsinghmahajan6183]

I wold love to join the way you both discover the old things.Nice one.

[@chrispollard6568]

Ordnance Survey maps are the best start. Adding on Google maps

[@chrisblay]

It’s amazing how nature reclaims the land. You would almost never know a station and tracks were there.

[@Lichfeldian--Suttonian]

I have often wondered what clearing Fullerton Junction would look like, but like you say, I also like the nature that has taken over.

[@annarboriter]

It was a bunch of iron plate scrap from a metal fabrication shop that a farmer grabbed to keep his cattle (or sheep) from getting through holes in the barbed wire fencing

[@nickshipway8199]

Is that a guess or something that you know happened?

[@annarboriter]

@@nickshipway8199 oh, I've already told too much

[@pwhitewick]

...and the mystery remains unsolved.

[@annarboriter]

@@pwhitewick unironically so

[@TimGrose]

We (wife and I) stayed at the station house at Fullerton when the previous owners used to do B&B. Good opportunity to check out the old platforms in their garden.

[@dilwyn1]

Great vid, both. Love the info and camera work. Rebecca, hope you had a suitable recognition from Paul, of what today is!!! Feb 14th, otherwise the miss heard word in the intro, may be true LOL!! Can't wait for the next upload ☺

[@andrewbates1695]

As I am currently spending a lot of time recovering from a broken ankle and spiral fracture of the leg, I love your series. You should come to Edinburgh you could have a field day with old railways.

[@TheSanctumSanctorium]

"What did you call me?" Excellent lol. Keep up the good work guys. Love the chanel, one of my favourites as I love all things railway/history. Also I know its nice to see nature taking over but I'd love to see these old stations cleared with information signs added. After all its ALL British heritage.

[@andygif290368]

the other thing to consider with the sheet metal bits, are you supposed to look at the metal that's left or the holes to obtain their meaning?

[@freqeist]

i like it how becs fills in your missing words, shes quite useful. anyhoo Abandoned Railway Stations, legs and lipstick..oh and Paul.

[@richardchurch9709]

Purely an observation but when Rebecca looked to her right at 3:30 she had just jumped down from the platform. The view of the locomotive showed just grass to the right of the photo, where presumably Rebecca had just come from. Also the video through the overgrown trees seems to show a straight view where the platform in the photo stands beyond the track curve. To me I believe they were stood more to the rear of where the loco' is shown in the photo'.

[@raphaelnikolaus0486]

These "fence" pieces to me look more like pieces of art. The shapes looked it bit floral, or even like musical notes maybe, or maybe a clef. Not sure, whether they were actually original features of the Railway line. I wouldn't be surprised, if you/we found out, that it's only art by an artist that is or was local there ("was" as in s/he moved away and left her/his work there, abandoned if you will). I mean, wouldn't the local history society know of such a fence as part of the original Railway infrastructure, it being so extraordinary, so artsy? One might think. I hope my "clues" on the designs help. But I may be taking a closer, deeper, more intense look at them later.

[@chrisabblett8847]

Both doing a great job keep up with the good work

[@timl1481]

Great video thank you. I've been busy un-watching you un-solve the mystery! :-)

[@craig2468ful]

Hi Paul hi Rebecca I’ve worked on the railway for nearly 20 years and to my knowledge at least those symbols don’t have anything to do with the railway or if they do I’ve never come across them before. Anyway great video keep them comeing 👍🏻

[@pwhitewick]

Thank you.

[@stevefoden7853]

My two cents ( as I now live in Connecticut USA) is to leave it as is, nature at its best. Thanks for another great vlog

[@shirleylynch7529]

Another great walk. Hard to know what to do for the best about keeping it or restoring. As long as it doesn’t get too overgrown. Love your pigtails Rebecca. Make you really young looking. Thank you.

[@stephendavies6949]

It's great watching you two hunting disused stations. Long it may continue!

[@nickwass9700]

I love then and now pictures. The shot of the steam engine at 3:40 at the situation there now are super. It's just a little bit ghostly isn't it! Clean it up or leave it? A little thoughtful clearing just to give an impression of what was once there, but leave a lot of nature to herself. Overall a lovely video.

[@pwhitewick]

Thanks Nick, best idea yet!

[@petertrevena804]

You both are so lovely and Miss Rebecca is so goofy.

[@davie941]

hey paul and rebecca , another super cool video , some really look like music notes , really interesting , well done and thank you :)

[@D0csavage1]

I think old disused lines should be revived considering the demise of the combustion engine. Electric vehicles currently do not have the range therefore these lines could be used as feeder lines where electric vehicles only need to travel a short distance locally to enable the restock of supermarkets, factories etc. The train will be the backbone for Britain once again when goods by road might not be practical.

[@andrewthornegeo]

They look like stylised musical symbols to me. I can see a quaver and a bass clef, possibly a treble clef too. Maybe made for a musician who lives/lived nearby? You can google image search for examples to check. It could also be something to do with John Spedan Lewis who lived nearby - Longstock and Leckford still belongs to the John Lewis Partnership. The middle one in the first set of stills doesn't look like it belongs with the others.

[@vihuelamig]

I read music. If they are musical symbols then they are highly stylised in a cubist/modern art manner!

[@andrewthornegeo]

@@vihuelamig Agreed, not done by a musician.

[@hojomo]

Fantastic insight into the line and story - you are now the undoubted Masters (of the Universe? No) of Unsolving Mysteries - Yes! We wait with bated breath for the eventual outcome, and will all be racing down there to look at your local landscape, post-lockdown! 🙂

[@PowerPete999]

Another solved mystery remains unsolved!

[@phillunn4691]

Another brilliant video to keep me going during lockdown, very interesting and really informative. Thanks a lot Paul and Rebecca. Look forward to seeing your next video!👍🏼

[@carlwilson1772]

A very intriguing mystery. I enjoyed it and hopefully it will be resolved.

[@iainpaton7129]

Hi 👋 friends interesting video 📹 hope youz are well and staying safe and most of all keep the videos 📹 coming 😊

[@paulbache3940]

cracking start, made me laugh, we need more laughter, thank you both

[@gato38]

"what did you call me??" "HUNT!!" LOL

[@timstriathlonjourneys7575]

More of these abandoned railways should be reused as cycle and footpaths, the ones that have been are so popular.

[@peterandrewwilson976]

A lot of that old railway line (previously canal) is part of The Test Way. An established walk maintained by Hampshire County Council. The Test Way splits from the old railway just south of Fullerton (station) and heads north east through Chilbolton and Wherewell.

[@imranzazai7404]

Nice video.

[@pwhitewick]

Thanks!

[@shauntodd7123]

Well truly unsolved. I think some should be cleared and even track laid. All interesting fun though.

[@pwhitewick]

I think i am just about agreeing with you Shaun.

[@Toffeeabi81]

I wish I'd found you guys earlier you are brilliant and hilarious.

[@johnniec9097]

Add to peoples understanding of the bygone use of the area by clearing 👍

[@lordIanHouston]

CLEAR IT

[@RJE48]

I vote clear the area around the station and open it up 🙂

[@pwhitewick]

Probably my vote too

[@sergeant5848]

@@pwhitewick Have the best of both worlds. Clear enough of the platform/track-bed to see outlines and edges, but not so much the trees and shrubbery are destroyed.

[@MrPete1x]

Thank you for another good video

[@billyruss]

To reclaim or leave to nature? One of the things that first attracted me to these old railway relics back in the 80s was their location, often in the middle of nowhere and already subject to the slow-creeping onslaught of the surrounding vegetation: Maenclochog, Euroclydon, and Pencader tunnels all spring to mind. What is a bit sad, 40 years or so further on, is how many relics are now on the brink of being lost forever - without any intervention to mitigate their decay, they either reach the point where they crumble away or else reach a point where they become hazardous to the point that action has to be taken to make them safe - e.g. by infilling the cuttings at either end. (I still kick myself to this day for missing the opportunity to walk Rhondda tunnel - a pal and I were on a two-week cyclng holiday, on a mission to cover as much of the railway heritage of South Wales as we could, and we arrived late in the afternoon still with many miles to the Youth Hostel; it was raining hard and the tunnel was over a mile ling so we decided to give it a miss and come back the following year, by which time it the only remaining structure was the solitary airshaft which, at that time, we could scramble onto and peer down through grating to the trackbed some 60ft below.) Many of the tunnels I walked back then have succumbed to the same fate - infilled and lost forever - though it's heartening to see a few being recovered from that state (e.g. Devonshire tunnel on the Two Tunnels cycle path, and Mierystock tunnel in the Forest of Dean, and there is a very active campaign to re-open the Rhondda as a cycleway). So yes, it's great that Devonshire has been preserved, and it's great to be able to walk through it again, but it has lost a lot of the magic that it had when we explored it all those years ago, with a pair of bicycle torches, fighting our way through undergrowth to reach the one portal that was open, and then walking through in almost total darkness to find the southern end blocked, and climbing a little ladder through the inspection chamber to the sealed manhole cover at the top. (There's a great photo on Forgotten Relics of the work being undertaken to reopen this tunnel, and you can see the little manhole cover at the top of the shaft. Strange to think I was inside there, back in 1979! - www.forgottenrelics.co.uk/tunnels/images/devonshire/devonshire-7.jpg .) So, like yourselves, I like it when an effort has been made to preserve these relics, but I also love coming across half-hidden remains as nature has started to reclaim what man had built - a pity we can't preserve them in that halfway state! Re the mysterious ironwork in this latest video - I have to agree with on of your other respondents that they don't look that old to me, either. And too stylized to be part of any traditional railway heritage - something arty that just happens to have been dumped there? Like you, I'd love to know what!

[@paulbennett4548]

Inspector Clouseau: " are yes, the old random letter ploy, I know it well"

[@QALibrary]

you two are terrible good together

[@Jimyjames73]

Looks like it's going to remain un unsolved mystery...🤔🚂🚂🚂

[@Sim0nTrains]

No idea on the fence being honest but you solved the unsolved by not solving it! (that's a mouthful!) brilliant video and hopefully finger crossed should be able to get content in next month and as for Fullerton Junction, I agree with Paul, it's nice to do it up but it also nice to leave it as it is... but if you remove the trees the it easy to get a photograph.

[@andrewfox7861]

Clear it ,great place to put picnic benches and a tea hut think of that on a Sunday walk in the spring

[@johnstilljohn3181]

No, I don't know what they are in outright terms, but they appear to be very well made. Some one took great care and a lot of time to make the from steel, welded beads around the edges, square frames... Fascinating...

[@MrBook123456]

Great video

[@barrylukins5540]

Wouldn’t it be great to flip between time zones and actually see some of these things being built victorians were amazing love everything they constructed especially railways and the time frames they did it in is astounding

[@M0UAW_IO83]

I reckon they're way more modern than the railway, the panels look to be MIG welded onto the supports and I've a feeling they're designed to be decorative rather than indicative so you may never decipher a 'meaning'. Is there an art college, art collective, even something like a blacksmith's perhaps? If that all draws a blank and I *really* wanted to know, I'd maybe consider laminating a few postcards with a request for info and an email address on it to cable tie onto a few of the panels

[@playwithmeinsecondlife6129]

You too are so adorable! Happy Valentines day. I saw a "T" or a "J".

[@andrewradgick4424]

To restore or not to restore? In the States, many old places are maintained in "suspended decay", leaving them as they are now, but not allowing them to deteriorate any further

[@JasperJanssen]

You can’t really do that and also have trees growing in it. The roots are not compatible with no deterioration.

[@flyingcod14]

Nice video, if someone does crack time travel would be quite nice to go back and have a trip on all these lost railways.

[@pwhitewick]

That would be cool!

[@roboftherock]

If only! As a teen, I travelled on a few of these closed lines. They were not as interesting to me then as they are now. It was how my family got to our summer holiday destination!

[@milowadlin]

Well, I am glad we got that re-unsolved.

[@pwhitewick]

We did indeed, next up to dis-re-un-solved

[@carolbage8300]

Well, if solve means to find the answer to something. Does unsolve mean not to find the answer to something? In that case, you were quite correct in the use of unsolve. On the matter of returning the site to its former appearance. If we did that to every abandoned station, there would be nothing for you guys to solve, unsolve or whatever. Great stuff. Bob

[@matthewjshow6563]

Well done. Cheers.

[@Karlinski73]

"Unsolve" - to be added to the OED in 2022. You read it here first.

[@pwhitewick]

I'll invest in a copy if that happens!!

[@cargy930]

Why not, it's a perfectly cromulent word.

[@hoppinonabronzeleg9477]

@@cargy930 to unslove, to coagulate!

[@johnhockenhull2819]

Very 1984.

[@michaelleighton6879]

Um, er, it's in the original NED, as "Obs." (and duly daggered) variant for "solve," but never pay too much attention to people who call it the NED. We're easy to vanquish.

[@fredericksaxton3991]

Your idea at 4:00, I would clean up the stations, a lot of human endeavour went into building the rail system and I feel sad for it to just rot away. It also makes me feel mortal and rather sombre seeing great endeavours just get taken over by nature when every thing we have in the world has been carved out of nature.

[@smiffy1947]

Spratt & Winkle is 13 characters!

[@alanmuddypaws3865]

I love a good mystery unsolved. Sorry I can't help you solve it.

[@MrVxrman]

A good interesting video guys 😎 If that old station is on private land I think it’s a bit of a non starter unless they gifted it back to the community ? ? ? All the best 😃🍻🥂👍🏻

[@urbangeeze1348]

Hi Guy's, glad to see you're both well. I've been thinking about your dilemma & come to the following conclusion. Yes it does look lovely when nature takes over, but......... nature does also destroy all traces of man's endeavours eventually. Once tree's start growing through the platforms & trackbed, it won't be long before there will be no discernible trace left to the untrained eye. So if you want to preserve this history for future generations to see, then unfortunately, Nature's gotta give way, which also can be done sympathetically. Nice vlog guy's.

[@rich83uk]

I vote to clear the station and the land around it.

[@pwhitewick]

My vote too I think.

[@peterrose561]

Great video and mystery to unsolved?

[@williamwelbourn7932]

Wonderful video. Very picturesque but I would clear it out.

[@fromthetaperoom6325]

Mr Whitewick! I have an idea. Boris permitting, you'll be off out this summer to continue with EDS. My idea then, controversial as it is, would be to take a copy of Bradshaws Guide, and read us the commentary for the abandoned stations you visit. Some might say (!) this is the territory of that man who wears the pink shirts on telly. But, he only visited the stations still in operation. I believe there was a fresh print run of Bradshaws a few years back... purely because of that bloke on the telly!

[@pwhitewick]

I approve if this idea and shall likely deploy it. I will completely forget who suggested it so please consider this thanks in advance.

[@fromthetaperoom6325]

@@pwhitewick It will be thanks enough when ever you read from the bible. Just give me a nod when you get the BAFTA!

[@joshweinstein5345]

I'm afraid if you do solve this puzzle, it will unleash some ancient railway beast. So it's good you're in the process of unsolving it. Trick the monster into going back from whence it came! (The only thing I could recognize is one of the panels looked like a question mark. Fitting for this mystery.) The only thing that's clear is it was another thoroughly enjoyable video!

[@pwhitewick]

An eagle eyed spot Mr Weinstein... I feel now we have passed on the unsolving responsibility to "The KZbin", and thus it is now in your hands as much as us. (Cop out I know!).

[@neilthehermit4655]

" Resolve " - a mystery.

[@gaugeonesteam]

You definitely unsolved a mystery! But, those metal panels don't look that old to me. Maybe a gsce metal work project from the millenium? or Fullerton Town gone wrong? As Ian Hislop said in one of his railway films. "It's quicker by rail, except when it isn't".

[@billyruss]

Agreed. They don't look that old to me, either. And too stylized to be part of any traditional railway heritage. Something arty that just happens to have been dumped there.

[@timdaugherty5921]

Love rail history

[@vincebagusauskas278]

Looks like your lockdown allows Rebs a chance to try out some make-up. Looking good.

[@BigSmellyRangey]

Bit left-field, but maybe they're stencil frames for signal markers? We used to have some at work that were all sort of curves and letter parts for floor and roadway marking.

[@chrisfrost8456]

Great vid Paul and Rebecca very interesting bit over grown in parts I say leave to Nature, I am sure I have done a bit of that line Test valley from Salisbury a while back now ,have you done the Crab & Winkle line? From Canterbury to Whitstable? All the best, Chris

[@trevorenever265]

I think I know a newly opened shop that could find a buyer for those panels.

[@peterjhillier7659]

I always enjoy your Videos, and I completely understand your Ambivalence about clearing the Trackbed or leaving it, yes, it would be nice to see what remains old the old Railway but that would destroy the Homes that Creatures have made for themselves, perhaps just let it bide. You complain about your Knees not working so well Rebecca, your still a young Thing, I’m the wrong side of 70 so wait until you get to my Age, mind I still manage to run 1,5 Miles every Day.

[@brianartillery]

Seeing the name 'Wherwell' made me think of something completely unconnected with Railways, and Canals. Is there an old tale of a mythical monster, a Cockatrice, (supposedly) living in the area, in the middle ages? Those odd sigils look, very much like an art project to me. Furthermore, they did look like someone had gathered them together to collect them at some point in the future. Probably won't be there much longer.

[@stephenhunter70]

Unsolve a solved mistory! Good luck with that.

[@roboftherock]

'Mistory' = History of a mystery.

[@jamesduffin9417]

With an intro like that I want Rebecca to do all of them!

[@julianclissold2355]

I think it should be cleared ,makes a great piknik spot 😄

[@martinsmith1870]

👍 Rebeccas hair 😊

[@Andy-From-England]

I leave the track as it is cool video guys

[@neilbain8736]

Could be parts of a matrix like stained glass and literally form a bigger picture. They may not have been intended for a fence. Also it may pay to take a step sideways into fantasy and gaming and study sigils, runes and fan art. It may even be cosmological. Who knows? How easily can you find the land owner?

[@robertsedgwick1629]

Rebecca- i hope you're not going to let him get away with the "Old lady" @ 4:47!

[@hamjazz]

Other line went to Wherwell and Longparish.