An Abandoned Railway 70 years on. The Stonehouse to Nailsworth Branch

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Welcome to Every Disused Station Number 42 where we attampt to visit Every Disused Station in the UK. Yup thats all abandoned stations in the UK. All 6800 of them. We try and tell you all the stories along the way and this week is no different on the Nailsworth and Stonehouse Branch Line.
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[@pwhitewick]

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[@daniel-1976]

Ha my home town growing up. Saw mum and dads house! They live in the red brick houses on old ends lane by the crossing. I will pass this to them, they'll love it. My gramp used to work this line when he was younger. We still have some signal switching boxes from that period.

[@60_Degrees_North]

6:01 Amazing driving from the lorry 🤔👍

[@bishwatntl]

yes, so fast in reverse :)

[@johnponter1486]

My thoughts exactly

[@ReubenAshwell]

It cracked me up when I saw that. 😂

[@alexcharlesworth7580]

I reckon Paul put that in the video just to see if we're concentrating 😂

[@philiptownsend4026]

I noticed that. A nice quirky touch. I like quirky.

[@markwinning8967]

Another quality video Paul. One observation is that your captions state the stations closed in 1849, not 1949 😉

[@ghtqwrrt871]

the opening/closing dates are captioned the wrong way round

[@CameronIClark]

Marling School in Stroud had extensive playing fields which stretched all the way from the GWR mainline at Downfield Crossing Halt to the Stroudwater Canal so the Stroud branch of this railway was on the side of the hill just beyond. I attended the school in the 1960s and after the railway closed in 1966, the school’s cross country running course used part of the railway track bed long before it became a cycle route.

[@user-jt1jv8vl9r]

A really good use for it. Maybe I would have been more interested in cross country running if the route followed an old railway track.

[@peterasquith4357]

If you go into the builders yard at Ryeford, there are still sidings and points cast into the concrete from the days when it was a timber yard. At Stonehouse, in the early 80's, a coal yard still operated at the junction with daily coal train deliveries. I believe the signal box at Dudbridge sat right on the Stroud junction, not in the station. Sadly, I never lived here when the line was operational.

[@cerealport2726]

seems like Stroud had a problem closing in 1849, and opening in 1888. Perhaps time runs backwards in this part of the world, as demonstrated by the truck running backwards earlier in the video?

[@pwhitewick]

Sounds like an episode of Dr Who

[@cdl0]

You saved me having to make the same comment, Cereal Port.

[@notsohairybiker]

I think all of the closing dates should read 20th century instead of 19th century.

[@colincrowley1280]

6:02 that lorry driver has some epic reversing skills

[@DaveVespa]

My aunt used to live in the station house at Woodbridge. I didn't know it wasn't the actual station.

[@chrisg6086]

It doesn't matter about the odd typo or a lorry going backwards: there's a lot of work gone into the preparation and delivery of this video, with lots of interesting things to see and learn. What's more, we're privileged to have all this for free, so thank you Paul!

[@biking261]

Ahh my part of the world, I used to live in the houses that backed onto the station at Stonehouse when we had the survey done hen buying the house something was mentioned about building another station on that location which has never happened. I remember going to the public consultation when the main road to Paul's right just prior to the Dudbridge station was being built as everyone was worried the road was going to be built on top of the old railway line thankfully it wasn't. You can walk along the branch line to Stroud (Cheapside) as its still there sort of and has some good bridges that were clearly built by the Midland railway. The small tunnel just after the Dudbridge station is relatively new I remember there being a bridge there before and this was taken away and the road was remodeled and the tunnel installed, I don't remember the station being there but I do remember a large open area where the round a bout is now which must have been sidings or something. An excellent video.

[@JulianJacobs100]

Lived in Gloocester all my life, and worked in Stonehouse for over 15 years. Walked the various canals and find I very interesting what you have found that I had no clue about. Brilliant work, keep it up. 👍

[@andyrob3259]

Lucky you. I live in Melbourne, Australia but are English and have on trips spent many times renting cottages in the area. It’s a beautiful part of the world - I’d live there in a heart beat (of course finances permitting given the prices).

[@mrtnsnp]

Did I misread some of the title-cards? Quite a few seem to close before they were opened… Now I seem to notice a running gag with small shots shown in reverse, but I'm not sure that reverse-time also works on opening and closing of railway stations.

[@Nick-ye5kk]

Great content, always a pleasure to watch

[@shirleylynch7529]

Superb film. Thoroughly enjoyed travelling with you this week again. So informative. Thank you.

[@JoOtterH]

I spent many happy hours trainspotting at the bridge at 1.22 while on holiday in August 1961. The great delight was the little GWR 14xx 0-4-2 tanks on push pull trains between Gloucester and Chalford.

[@Bobrogers99]

I continue to be impressed with the number of walking paths you use all over the country.

[@DaveVespa]

We used to do a 24 ish mile walk around the area when I was a kid called the 7 valleys. It took in part of the old railway. I'm sure I got lost around one of the factories you showed.

[@user-jt1jv8vl9r]

24 miles is an impressive walk!

[@Sim0nTrains]

Nice little branch line in this Every Disused Station series, Would had been strange if the Midland Railway did get access to the south via Nailsworth, great video.

[@HenrysAdventures]

Another interesting video! I always enjoy a Winter walk along an old railway!

[@dazzlingdaz187]

Thanks Paul. Coincidentally I was in Stroud and Stonehouse today for the first time! Its a lovely area with the Cotswold stone houses and the industrial history. Nice to see a disused railway turned into a footpath/ cycleway too. I will need to go again to explore!

[@anthonysibley1021]

I used to live in stonehouse (and still am in the Area). It was very strange to see you walking past my old house in a video :)

[@polarlicht4758]

6:00 Now hang on a minute...

[@mikepowell2776]

Interesting as ever, despite certain lorry driver’s inability to tell front from back. The barge is used by the Cotswold Canal Trust to shift the detritus from dredging. As you know, the Stroudwater Canal is undergoing restoration.

[@MadisonTen]

Nice clip of that flatbed truck reversing at speed ;-)

[@aston-s]

I was in Nailsworth yesterday... Dear god it needs a train station again

[@derrickfield8957]

It was still running when I was a kid we called it the Dudbridge Donkey. Being a normal school boy in the early 60s we were on our way home from school when we got in a spot of bother. Desperately trying to escape two of us jumped off the bridge at the bottom of Rodborough Hill onto the track bed. I somehow hurt my left leg, did not break anything, Doctors could find nothing wrong, but it has never been right since, even prevented me joining the Paratroops.

[@WanderingwithWatto]

A fantastic video Paul. I live in the area and enjoyed the informative info. 👍🏻👏🏻👏🏻

[@NonstopEurotrip]

I love the disused station videos, so much information that I never knew I needed, but thoroughly enjoy every second. 'Aha but WE DO have a turntable!' 😃

[@jonnmedds]

Good to see you getting sponsorship for your video's. Well deserved.

[@Mwester95]

Another fantastic video! I used to live in Stroud so often walked down this track to Nailsworth or along the canal to Stonehouse too! There is a short stretch of the old railway link up to Stroud - takes a bit of finding but a fair few relics along there too!

[@kipsome45]

That truck was driving along the road backwards at 6:03! Another interesting video, keep up the good work guys.

[@johnfoster3286]

I was on one of the last steam trains on the Bembridge to Brading branch line (Isle of Wight) St Helens station is now living accomodation, cant remember what has happened to Bembridge station as Ive not been back for several years.

[@ACHowes]

Thanks Paul, another great video. Your enthusiasm makes it feel like we’re there exploring with you. Keep up the good work you two.

[@andylawrence7955]

That rusty old barge is still being used by the Canal Trust for dredging in various places along the Navigation. Hopefully you'll go the other way and walk from Eastington end and follow what's left of it all the way to Saul Junction, a great walk. Also when back in Gloucestershire you should investigate the old Coombe Hill canal & wharf that used to link from the River Severn, another great walk and an interesting piece of long forgotten heritage.

[@chrisbradley1192]

As a resident of the village of Selsley from '69-'71 I passed over this line at Dudbridge on my way to school.

[@stever1053]

Great movie once again, thanks. I am facinated by old railways I grew up in Loudwater it was on the High Wycombe to Bourne end line, I used to go to school by train from loudwater to Bourne End, thanks Dr Beeching. But on the brighter side it became a lovely nature trail. About 4 years ago I travelled what is left of the Thai Burma railway and walked some of it also, amazing. Keep up the good work guys. Steve. ( Western Australia).

[@phillunn4691]

Thanks for another railway based exploration . I look forward to another interesting video next week. Keep up the good work Paul!👍🏼

[@tdchayes]

On the use of the millponds. I grew up in Granby, CT, USA. There is a mill there that operated in the same fashion. Overnight, the pond filled and then the water was used the following day to run the mill. In other words, the pond was a sort of battery that ran operations during the next day.

[@elliottjames8020]

Woodchester Mansion is also an interesting site, an unfinished Gothic revision mansion house started in 1858 and construction halted in 1870, It's now owned by the National Trust.

[@derekp2674]

Great video, thanks Paul and Rebecca.

[@owenrichardson1419]

Nice to see you back to the core subject. I do like the subsidiary subjects btw.

[@davependrill2897]

Brilliant video,well put together. Nailsworth has great history.

[@barbhenderson4867]

Great video, so interesting paul, Thankyou

[@michaelcampin1464]

I've visited Nailsworth many times as my Brother in law used to work nearby just off of the Prince of Wales estate. I even played rugby as a guest one fine day when they were short of players

[@richard-riku]

I suppose the lorry driver reversing at high speed at 6:01 is on his way to Dover to drive backwards down the ramp - like we saw in the video from Langdon Stairs.

[@robinjones6999]

Superb as usual Paul - You always deliver the goods!

[@pwhitewick]

Thanks robin

[@Teesbrough]

Glad you had fun with this Paul. At the 6.01 reversed shot where you pan up to (or down from -ahem!) the Eastington sign you’re looking across where the Level Crossing remained in place for very many years after the line closed. Pity you didn’t explore the link to Stroud (Wallgate). I think you’d have found far more evidence of the railway than you’d imagined, including a transfer to a mineral line down to the old gasworks.

[@lindamccaughey6669]

Loved that thanks Paul. Lovely area you walking thru. Pity the stations weren’t there.. really enjoyed that thanks. Please stay safe and take care

[@RichardFelstead1949]

Thanks for sharing.

[@bostonrailfan2427]

Paul: i think you might have needed an aerial image to find the turntable as comparing the old map to google satellite images a copse of vegetation in a perfect circle is visible north of the station but close to a home…it exists, but is likely overgrown in January

[@PA3456]

My favourite youtube channel

[@tomlee812]

Enjoyed this one. As a child in the 1950's and early 1960's we used to visit my grandmother, who lived at Ebley. we would get off at Ebley Crossing Halt (which I believe was on this line?) and then walk across the fields to her house. The house is still there but the Halt went in 1964, although the foot crossing is still there, I believe. Thanks for all your hard work in putting these together.

[@spotty_cat26]

Ebley Halt was on the main stroud to Gloucester line, North of the branch line.

[@georgebirchall4281]

Why, at 6 minutes, is there a lorry speeding backwards across the t-junction?

[@pwhitewick]

Reckless wasn't it.

[@davie941]

lol

[@cdl0]

The lorry was going backwards because the stations closed before they opened, if you were watching closely! ;-)

[@robertjones3223]

You beat me to commenting on that I had rewind to double check I saw it right 😆

[@davie941]

@@cdl0 i know that so why tell me ?

[@cdl0]

As ever, an interesting video, but since the channel is Paul and Rebecca Whitewick, the stations visited in this video should not be counted towards the total, since Paul's 'better half' is absent. :-) Nice touch to have the lorry going in reverse, and the stations closing before they opened! If only we could turn time back so easily in real life. . . .

[@Bender24k]

Superb as usual, thanks!

[@simonfaulkner5596]

10:19 - Closed 18 years before it opened! neat trick!

[@andrewcolby]

Nice video. If anyone does go to stroud, you can stand on the old bridge behind the lock keepers cafe, which was the way to get down to the station, and see where it was and the arches of the old viaduct that has businesses inside it. The arches are accessible behind the quick fit. The station is now a wood merchant and industrial estate.

[@stephenbrass1808]

Now i spotted the waggon going backwards, was that to see if we were watching closley enough, cheers, Steve .

[@aquissuk]

Really interesting video, especially as these stations closed before they got opened....which was an interesting way to run a railway back in the day 🤓

[@pwhitewick]

Dr Who timeline in there somewhere

[@thehermit407]

Current EDS completion estimate: 09/06/2071. That's 3 weeks added to the estimate following EDS 41, the "Devon's Lost Railway - The Devon and Somerset line" video. Note that the end total of EDS 41 was 408 but you counted the first station of this video as 408 instead of 409. As you added 7 stations in this video, your end total should have been 415 and not 414.

[@pwhitewick]

Wonderful. Thanks for the update. Nor sure why I got the start wrong!

[@billyruss]

Another one of my old stomping grounds - I used to work in offices in the old boathouse at Stonehouse, so Ishall look forward to the Stroudwater Canal episode!

[@paulbaker2959]

My house backs on to the old branch line just down from the footbridge in stonehouse, the void is still there with a footpath running along side also the old bristol Road bridge is still there 👍

[@johnsparkes8963]

Another great video Paul around my part of the world. I use to be a train recorder in Standish Signal Box just down from Haresfield. Finished up being a Porter at Sonehouse Burdett road Station. Best wishes for your future videos.

[@sarahjones4176]

Yes! finally the donkey line getting recognised. I have old pictures of dudbridge station, I'm sorry the signal box wasn't where you said the signal box was, That was the station house, The signal box was located Where's the first block on the left-hand side, the branch line does split and go off into Stroud. It sadly came to the end live in the late 60s early 70s. U need to pop into to Stroud to see the old railway viaduct that took them in to the goods yard for the Midland Railway it's still standing .

[@pwhitewick]

Ah thanks for all that Sarah. Can I see some of the old pics??

[@sarahjones4176]

@@pwhitewick of course you can, it's only a dudbridge from above, looking back towards Stroud where the donkey line had its goods shed, I do have a picture of the signal box looking up towards Rodborough Common, and of course I have another one of Stroud from above where you've got brunel's line the Waterways and then the donkey line, it's not many but it's what I found when I realise I was living right by the donkey line.

[@pwhitewick]

@@sarahjones4176 excellent. If you can email on [e-mail] that would be amazing

[@richardsimpson3792]

The Haresfield station was where you were standing. The pub behind you was the Railway Hotel (now the Beacon). When I lived there, the bar had pictures of the old station and signal box. BTW it was renamed because, the landlord told me, if it was still called the 'Railway' railway workers could drink for free!

[@alexcharlesworth7580]

Interesting video as always. Looking forward to the video of the Stroudwater Canal which is presently undergoing active restoration. As a point of note, I was interested at about 1:00 by what looked like a set of points that seemingly lead nowhere. Is that what still remains of the original junction🤔?

[@HauntedXXXPancake]

6:02 - This shot cost £ 45.000, but artistically worth every penny.

[@andylovell9465]

Another brilliant video and some top quality driving from the lorry driver as well

[@anthonybreakspear-jones5443]

Hi Paul I used to live n the housing estate just after the selsey hill road bridge right on the junction where the line split off to the left just below Dudbridge House , the station was on the opposite side right where the road and roundabout is now back in the seventies it was an Army surplus store . The house at Woodchester was the Station Masters house 🏠 . When I lived in stroud we that is the children and I would cycle this old line weekends , the big industrial estate at lightpill used to be a processing plant for BP and if you were to have gone on towards Cainscross where Sainsburys is now that used to to a big foundry of Lewis and hole 👴🏻👍

[@Jimyjames73]

Nice views & yes a Lovely 'Iron Works' Bridge @ 1:40 🙂🚂🚂🚂

[@RobEJC]

Woo Hoo! I kicked it over to 1000 likes! Another wonderful upload.

[@cliffordhurst2564]

Did anyone else notice the truck doing a very fast "reverse" at 6.04?

[@furryanimal8776]

Fantastic video....

[@nilo70]

Cheers from California !

[@kiles99]

Made me smile when you said you were trying to get away from Stroudwater - there are plans to reopen the Stonehouse station where the branch starts on the Bristol line, but to reopen it under the name "Stroudwater".

[@MrGreatplum]

Even when the stations have all but disappeared, there is still relics to see - great stuff. Re the catholics, their emancipation only happened in the U.K. when the Roman Catholic Relief Act of 1829 was passed - only 20 years before the opening of the line. My guess is that there would have been significant prejudice against them at the time.

[@manmeetsinghmahajan6183]

Nice one.

[@hectorkidds9840]

You didn't mention the coal/coke works siding and the capstan winch system for moving waggons with no loco on site, just north of Woodchester and worth a look next time. Sorry if it's been covered elsewhere.

[@miketherefurbisher8000]

Another great video!! Thank You.

[@lilchris26]

Another nice video Paul, not sure what the lorry was doing going backwards at about 6 mins in but never mind.

[@a11csc]

some real nice ironwork there paul

[@TheMidlandTerrier]

have you guys tried exploring the old Cromford to High peaks line? There is an old wagon you can see under ground there

[@lenstobrush7266]

If lorries reverse to their destinations does it not trigger their tachometers 😆 great video though, love history and your videos. We walked along the Kennet and Avon canal today and I was able to explain to my daughter about the how canals were built and why?

[@susancrawford5830]

Area I used to live in. May not have found it yet, but have you dome a video on the Midland (?) connection from Bristol to Bath via Mangotsfield junction and the route north from Mangotsfield and the local coalfields ('Bristol' suburb called Coalpit Heath for a start)?

[@Albatross-365]

Great video. Following on from your discovery of Prout's Bridge, I would like to see a video of your favourite unexpected discoveries

[@johnponter1486]

May have to cycle that one day, have you noticed they have completed the whitewater roundabout glos, for the stroud navigation to connect sharpness, I believe they now have to go under the m5 & share the bridge with the frome, that could be interesting.

[@TheOldLawnFan]

Shame you did not cover Nailsworth more, as Egypt Mill car park was the goods yard. I have shared this on our Facebook Nailsworth and district history page.

[@Mikes666]

The nailsworth end is in the car park of the Egypt mill hotel.Owner is a nice guy who has the railway hotel too.I used to deliver there.I have walked a short section by ryeford.

[@Murphy575]

You definitely need to come to St Albans and explore the old line from St Albans Abbey to Hatfield. It's all been converted into a cycle/predestination path and many stations have been restored to their original glory. I think you'll like it ☺

[@alanr3id]

There's the hemel to harpenden and wgc to harpenden too

[@shero113]

Until Hatfield, then it runs disappears under the A1(M), the sideroad of the Galleria, etc. Plus a bit has gone recently in St. Albans in Orient Close, but the station is looking lovely!

[@shero113]

@@alanr3id The Nicky Line, you can still see bits of it in Hemel, such as the hospital car park, the strange line of the hill, plus the bits on the moor. Loads around Redboun though.

[@alanr3id]

@@shero113 yeah I've walked the nicky line many times, and to welwyn to harpenden route too I've walked some of. I've seen a lot of the hatfield to St Albans route, there's still bits along there Amazing how many of the branch lines there were

[@alanr3id]

@@shero113 also part of the bridge for the Nicky Line is still there on the Moor, which went to the station

[@GreenJimll]

How did Woodchester close 18 years before it opened? 🤔😆 Oh and at 11:31 on the map Paul is still in Woodchester when he's in Nailsworth. Interesting little stroll though - and a good example of cycle routes reusing old railway lines.

[@60_Degrees_North]

10:17 Woodchester and Nailsworth. I'm assuming you meant 1949 for closure. 👍🤦

[@finlayfraser9952]

Good Stuff!

[@user-gu9pv7ck1i]

Another great video. Looking forward to more on the Navigation. One quick note of Curiosity. Just As you turn onto the cycle way by a sign for Easington a truck appears to be reversing at speed??. As ever excellent stuff.

[@timkerr2094]

I know you did the S&D to broadstone, you should continue from Broadstone to Haworthy Junction. It’s a really nice walk.

[@saltleywsc]

Noticed there was a lorry reversing at high speed !!! at 6.02

[@michaelcampin1464]

Looking forward to next Sunday already. I'll see if I can copy an old GWR map that shows numerous disused stations including many that are in the North East of England.

[@Pete4000uk]

My local abandoned railway! Anyone local who wants to know more, there is a great book called 'The Nailsworth and Stroud Branch' By Colin G. Maggs, which featured a handful of photos by a certain Rev W. Awdry...

[@chriscrookes8793]

6.02mins why is the flat bed truck going backwards? 🤣🤣

[@thebasingstokesupporter7001]

Hi very cool

[@leeclift4666]

Nice to see you up in the shire Paul. There looking to open a station in Stonehouse on the midland line.Did you get chance to see the new rail bridge on the canal near Stonehouse. All the best Lee in Gloucester