BR in the 1980s London Victoria to Gatwick Airport Via Quarry Line Cab View on 20th August 1989

BRITISH RAILWAYS IN THE 1980's
London Victoria to Gatwick Airport (Via Quarry Line) Cab View
20th August 1989
Continuing with my archive of video recording between the years of 1986 to 2001 this clip captured by the wonderful Nick Winfield of the view from the cab of a 4 VEP unit from Victoria to Gatwick Airport via the "Quarry" route. Taken on the 20th August 1989 which sadly is infamous for the "Marchioness Bowbelle" tradegy during the previous night. I hope the video takes you back to this period with fond memories. Feel free to comment, good or bad, all comments are read and greatly appreciated,but it is not always possible to answer each individually. Sit back and enjoy this latest production remembering all those now long gone Locomotive classes and other types of traction. Many thanks for all subscriptions and all of those viewers who have kindly shown an interest in my material.

[@thisisus.504]

Oh this is solid, solid gold. I was 17/18 at the time this was filmed, a student at the Sussex County Hospital. Home town Brighton. I had the world at my feet and felt bullet proof!! The memories are flooding back. Thanks for this.

[@spompey]

You're most welcome and many thanks...Mark

[@DavidChild-ty2od]

These videos are a real privilege to watch nowadays now that the traditional trains have been withdrawn.

[@spompey]

Many thanks David and best regards....Mark

[@mrbluesky2050]

Classic view with classic traction... can't do this again. happier days.

[@spompey]

Never to be repeated with this stock....best regards....many thanks....Mark

[@traffic71]

This was taken just before my 18th birthday. Lived in Eastbourne so went on these trains regularly. Joined BR in 1994 as a trainman D. This video has really brought back memories. I always enjoyed working the fast up from Brighton to Vic. Think it only stopped at East Croydon and Clapham Junction. Happy days!

[@spompey]

You're most welcome and many thanks.....Mark

[@SLRNUT]

Nick sent me quite a few dvds years ago. Still enjoy them BEST BITS ARE THE DRIVERS TALKING.

[@johnnybeverage]

I used to take this line often back at around this time. Thanks a lot for posting.

[@spompey]

You are very welcome and many thanks....Mark

[@karimkekhia4369]

OMGDDDD peerrrrrrfect!!! mate you are such a sweetheart posting these beautiful cab rides!!! i would love to see one around this time to horsham via dorking…i used to work at dorking and this route is one i drive most of the time!! after dorking is sooooo loveley..3 buzzards flew over my train yesterday

[@spompey]

Much appreciated Karim....sounds so tranquil and peaceful...it is a wonderful job and I miss it loads........many thanks....Mark

[@spompey]

Sorry no Horsham - Dorking...never got round to it...pity ....many thanks....Mark

[@karimkekhia4369]

@@spompey awwww no worries about he dorking run matey..hehe. it’s just so lovely that these cab rides were all recorded at the times for nostalgia. at balham i could hear the driver talking about the job..ahhhh all so familiar!!! hehe. got taken off the last part of my job today..happy days.

[@spompey]

@@karimkekhia4369 In my days on the job we were always on the prowl for the elusive ROAD LEARNER ! we would hunt them down and pounce upon them forcing our 8 way fiddle onto their already stressed shift. This way they learnt the job a LOT quicker...I remember as a new driver I would often be seeked out as easy prey and drivers would benefit from the last or even MOST of their turns being covered by some unsuspecting route learner....Or one could just fake a headache....ahh happy stress free days with the equivalent of an 8 hour week..... I think that is how I remember it....I jest mainly....Or do I ? Best regards to you my friend and keep up the excellent work out there, stay safe and cool in this hot weather....Mark

[@duncancurtis5108]

Late August 89, our first time away from EMU land up to Penrith as we'd gotten used to the rattle of electric trains over the years.

[@spompey]

....many thanks....Mark

[@karimkekhia4369]

just read the description…i was at college in sutton at the time..would of loved to be on the railway..just unfortunate wasn’t quite old enough..shy by a few years to join!! yes i remember that awful marchioness disaster..terrible night!!!

[@spompey]

....many thanks again Karim....Mark

[@BrianthomasYoung]

Does the cameraman sound like Alan Partridge ??

[@spompey]

A little....but not in a pear tree.......many thanks....Mark

[@Perrygallo]

So was it standard practice for Class 73s to pair with MUs to Gatwick?

[@spompey]

Only for a short while.....Many thanks and best regards...Mark

[@AngusJones]

So… southern trains used to be blue and red? I thought only the SWR trains used that paint job?

[@spompey]

NSE livery ?....Many thanks and best regards Angus....Mark

[@ukmusichero]

Lol , someone cleaned the window,...

[@spompey]

The driver did, but I edited that out as I would not want gasps from the audience of how it was done...Nick's faithful bottle of Windowline ..Other brands are available...even then....many thanks....Mark

[@sausages1981]

Railways under Thatcher were appalling…

[@spompey]

Many thanks Sausages....and best regards...Mark

[@JoeK25301]

Those were the days when drivers are able to slam the brakes on without complaint. Far too many jobsworths out there these days.

[@spompey]

Well said.....Many thanks and best regards....Mark