Branch Line To Benceston by Andrew Caldecott

A well-regarded English 'weird tale' (I would say) about commuters on a railway that didn't exist. Think "Metroland" and John Betjeman gone bad. A very witty story by a great writer.

[@rheinhartsilvento2576]

My word! What a topping story🤗🌟 This Caldecott chappie is the cat's whiskers! Thank you Tony for your usual masterful rendition🙏🌺

[@missy3240]

This story is so good! Of course I’d completely forgotten about the trap door by the time it came back to get him! 👏

[@markferguson3745]

Best narrator going.

[@ClassicGhost]

Thanks!

[@lux.illuminaughty]

Truth-speaker

[@roseariannamcgowan1302]

Your talent, craftsmanship and obvious love of prosody is a gift for us all. Deeply appreciate your work and thinking. X

[@ClassicGhost]

Thank you Rose. Much appreciated

[@eileenmorris8674]

In bed listening to the heavy rain the thunder and lighting. Perfect night for this story 😁

[@ClassicGhost]

I need to redo the thumbnail! Anyway glad you like ;)

[@OnceTheyNamedMeiWasnt]

Everybody dies...except me. But I may weep to death over your brilliance... I really love your squeezy pincer attack on certain words in this one, as if you're biting each syllable like a pistachio nut, ripping the shell off and digging down into the full flavour. You snip your sentences here with secateur-like incisors, leaving the fresh-cut rose of the denouement. It's so wonderful that I ache!

[@ClassicGhost]

This is lovely. Wait til you get to Dorian Gray

[@OnceTheyNamedMeiWasnt]

@@ClassicGhost Fantastic, can't wait. I read that story as a teenager and it had a severe effect on my mental (and physical) development. 👍

[@thurayya8905]

Wonderful story! He buries what ultimately happens so deeply, that not only did I not see it coming, but was still wondering when Friend went upstairs; it was that far away. I don't buy Hershey bars as I buy nothing knowingly from Nestle (small tongue twister).

[@trudi1962]

It seems you're becoming quite the star Mr Walker 🌟

[@ClassicGhost]

It's all very weird. I'm sixty years old. Of course we didn't have KZbin in my day. We had Jackanory though, so it's more or less what I'm doing.

[@blixten2928]

TOny!! You've decided to read Caldecott! He wrote SO MANY good stories, I hope you read lots and lots of his stuff!! THANKS!!! -- And, all that information about his life. I had no idea. Your evocation of characters is as always superb. This piece is a true work of art, and you do it fll justice.

[@careyannewesternpa5512]

Beautiful voice

[@angelachouinard4581]

I really loved this one. I enjoy stories that are subtle, even to the point of deviousness. Learning it was THAT Caldecott I am amazed he found the time to turn out such great fiction. I think you will find your Patron numbers have gone up, deservedly so by the way.

[@ClassicGhost]

Yes, things are booming! It's amazing. Thank you! There is a certain English suburban weirdness in this story that we find in Robert Aickman later. Very uncanny.

[@mariameere5807]

Thank you so much! Just discovered this amazing channel! Love it!💜✨💜

[@luvuforeverjames]

Me too....been subscribed for around a week now.

[@janetcw9808]

Greetings, I really enjoy this channel. I too am a Newbie, only a few months but really rely on Mr Walker. Best wishes.

[@mariameere5807]

@@luvuforeverjames you have great taste! Great minds think alike! LOL!🦋

[@mariameere5807]

@@janetcw9808 yes he is very good isn’t it! And well chosen stories! Blessings! 🌹✨🧚🏻‍♀️✨🌹

[@janetcw9808]

@@mariameere5807 And appears to be gathering a great community as well 😜 👍🏼❤️💐💐

[@donaldmccleary9015]

Great story, narration, and ramble. This is a good one!

[@kissykhym]

Love this one!

[@susanhepburn6040]

I really enjoyed this. Thank you very much!

[@deniseroper9030]

Excellent as usual

[@beherenow5466]

Enjoying your channel very much😊

[@mijiyoon5575]

👍👍👍👍👍who wouldn't want to live in a peaceful place? Especially now days. I liked your ending commentary & I'll re~listen to this story again & share it on my social media channels

[@ClassicGhost]

Thank you, thank you

[@appalachianamerican7171]

This was a really good story. You have a great talent for reading these old tales

[@billpiechocki]

Excellent!

[@frerindurin3632]

I have always enjoyed doppelganger and parallel world stories. As usual, well read and a great joy to listen to.

[@ClassicGhost]

I think it's a good story too

[@juliahamilton2282]

Loved this story thank you,, Growing up in Rainhill trains hold my attention especially steam

[@rameyzamora1018]

I had to listen to this story twice, Tony, once fresh & once following upon your analysis (always enjoyable BTW). I didn't "get" it the first time -- mind wandering? But one phrase did register at both readings, giving me a laugh out loud. "Brain food for the brainless?" tickled just drolly enough for a guffaw! Thank you for this narration - very very nice.

[@ClassicGhost]

He is very witty

[@tcup9258]

Great story thanks.

[@bittybitty8233]

I know that you hear this every day but your voice is so beautiful ....it just keeps me binging on your other stories. 😊 I have my favs but you're in the top 3 !! Tysm for this channel. 🧡

[@ClassicGhost]

If you know any agents...

[@martiwilliams4592]

Second time around (on computer this time) just as entrapping- details not noticed before. And making the tedious job of dishwashing bearable. Thank you. Please continue!

[@mariameere5807]

Absolutely love anything from the 20s and 30s, I’m not being rude just a bit cheeky in “suggesting” more of the same or if anybody can point me in the direction of stories that are already here from that period! I particularly love different aspects of the supernatural such as this! This story was just as good as Agatha Christie if she had turned her hand to ghost stories! Just as much misdirection et cetera! Love it love it love it!💜☯️💜

[@ClassicGhost]

I like that period too. At the moment all the upcoming stories are requests, so just let me know what you fancy

[@mariameere5807]

@@ClassicGhost I am honoured that you replied personally! I love your taste! I especially love hearing what you have to say at the end of the story each time! Yes basically anything from that particular period or anything you choose is great!👍

[@ClassicGhost]

@@mariameere5807 Don't be honoured I'm only me. I'm just a bloke with a microphone and some books. What I say at the end is just my unauthoritative rambling. I am honoured that you like the stories and have taken the time to say so.

[@mariameere5807]

@@ClassicGhost I don’t think you realise how good you are at your job! Your passion for these stories is contagious and it’s like finding buried treasure! You are aweamazing and so it’s what you do! I’m sure everybody on this channel agrees! I feel like a kid in a candy shop on this channel! Have a great week! 🌹✨🧚🏻‍♀️✨🌹

[@auntyJanette]

@@mariameere5807 how lovely to see your name and read the beautiful authentic words you write. I agree with every one of them. 💐💐💛💛

[@mariamason1919]

Great story Tony and loved your commentary. I have never heard of Caldecott prior to this reading and hope you will narrate more of his stories. Loved the snarky jokes and twist and turns throughout the story. Great writing. Thanks for introducing me to another "new" writer. So happy things are going well for you. Keep on making it happen. Stay well.

[@andrewkoastephens210]

Fantastic as always! Brilliant story. I really should have seen that coming but certainly did not. “Can’t work in a paint factory...” is a very generous simile. Personally, I’ve never seen an optometrist that did not wear glasses. ...Then I have to think about what got me into my own line. Haha!

[@ClassicGhost]

True. They all wear glasses.

[@rattyrachel4316]

Loved the story, loved your narration! Yes, more Caldecott , please! (And now, about those Hershey bars....)

[@richardstrachmesserschmiti4979]

True story , well executed

[@sarahthieben810]

I really enjoyed that one as well. Very, very clever.

[@bethcastagnoli2911]

Bravo. Spare me from Benceston!

[@anindk2049]

A delightful story and excellent narration!

[@veradennis7502]

I really enjoyed the reference to 'King's Pancreas' station...

[@tekelupharsin4426]

Danggit. I'm not feeling well today so I went to my bed and laid down. I started listening to this and fell asleep right around where the dude was saying how he adored dogs. Next thing I know you're commenting on it saying how it was one of your favorites. So now I gotta listen to it all over again.

[@ClassicGhost]

But that’s all right :)

[@cousinsister69]

A meandering tale that leads us along one idea only to arrive at a completely different location, over and over. Utterly riveting. Just when I thought I knew the "ah ha" moment with certainty it changes direction again! I loved this story and adored the excellent narration. The informative chat at the end is gold. Thank you Tony. Hi from Oz! 👇💜🙃

[@ClassicGhost]

I am definitely wanting to come to Australia before too many years. I would love to do a reading of picnic at hanging rock but it’s in copyright

[@dismith73]

'A meaner collection of disreputable weeds . . . .'

[@dickrichardson1804]

Guess I won’t say I adore this story 😮

[@toadyuk8391]

I enjoyed this one massively, faultless. It had me from the first and I didn’t wish it to end. I love the genre, the masterful story telling and the clever side red herrings he plants. Before other comments I will say well done and as I’m enjoying so much content I am just about to sign up as patron, it’s only fair. I interpret this as the Protestant guilt inherent in our man, plus I think his long term hatred and work pressures combine, perhaps also he poisoned himself a touch with his patent mixtures and herbs. Essentially after visiting the church he has a crisis of conscience, realises he has hated Saxon but also this isn’t charitable and his thoughts of murder are making him guilty and complicit. He then has a fugue on the train and imagines in his mind the murder, I don’t think he actually went into an alternate timeline but just an imagined one. Then when he hears of the actual death and its coincidental timings to his imagination he thinks he is guilty. This allows his entry to that same imagined world where he rightly is punishable by death. Conveniently he already has a trapdoor and so on the morning when he invites his friends as witness the clock is deliberately set forwards, to allow him to seem to be safe. He makes his excuse about a hanky, rushes out and deliberately jumps on the trapdoor and falls to his death. In essence it’s a suicide bought about by guilty conscience about thinking murderous thoughts for many years of another. The fantastic asides, snide remarks and proffesional class in the story is genius. Also very welcome is the way that he tricks us into considering the poison may be part of the story, whilst it goes off in another direction. It is funny or certainly has some dark humour on it. I hadn’t heard it before and truly enjoyed it the most, even though it’s maybe more weird tale than ghosts. Well done, bravo.

[@ClassicGhost]

Thank you :)

[@eddiemunster2196]

No. 5 of today 7/5/21

[@teddydog6229]

I know it's presumptuous for someone who found your excitingly excellent channel just yesterday but you did ask if anyone had any requests to let you know. This is a bit vague but I've been to England a few times (Scotland more often. I love the place) and on my first visit in 78 I nagged my dad into buying me a whopping five editions of a series called 'The Pan Book of Horror' and what flawless anthologies they were. My real introduction to good horror. I don't know if you're familiar with those anthologies or - better yet - have any but I would love to hear any story chosen randomly from a Pan collection. If that's not possible I don't think I ever read a story by Ramsey Campbell that didn't make me literally queasy with fear. Also if you can do a Scouse accent I'd greatly enjoy hearing it and his stories nearly all take place in Liverpool.

[@ClassicGhost]

It’s not presumptuous, it’s welcome. I was talking to someone else here about The Pan series. I used to read them as a kid. Herbert Van Thal. I like Ramsey Campbell. I think there is the technical issue of copyright. However my daughter went to university In Liverpool a d I used to practice my accent when I visited.

[@teddydog6229]

@@ClassicGhost He did say somewhere that whenever he comes to the States someone inevitably tells him "You sound just like the Beatles !" and Lord knows they're easy to imitate. I reckoned you might raise the copyright issue which is a pity because I love his style where everything seems a bit out of focus around the edges and vaguely sinister. I think it was King who said Campbell can turn a plastic bag blowing in the wind into a menace. My favorite horror writer by a long stretch and a more recent novel of his 'The Grin in the Dark' had me whimpering with paranoia and claustrophobia. I have heard a few readings from his 'Alone With the Horrors' collection but can't say whether they were legal. Been to Liverpool myself and it scared me half to death. The part I was in looked like a deserted Beirut. More JG Ballard than Ramsey Campbell. I love the talks you give at the end of your stories. That's a great addition to the whole experience. When I finish 'The Open Door' (which is making me very unsettled indeed) I want to find some MR James if you've done any of his because his personal life is of great interest to me. Peak of Empire was his era if I'm not mistaken. It's astonishing how many great writers were in the colonial service though I doubt James is among them. Rather cloistered is my impression. Thanks again for the atmospheric and linear ghost stories as well as the magnificent voice acting. I really hit gold stumbling on this channel.

[@deborahedwards6961]

I'd love it if you could read 'the willows' :)

[@ClassicGhost]

The Willows is definitely a possibility. Just when is the question

[@juliahamilton2282]

Hi Tony, I ordered one of your books from Amazon and wanted to order another.. However so many of them say currently unavailable.. Is there somewhere else I might order them from ?

[@ClassicGhost]

So, current ones are Cumbrian Ghost Stories, More Christmas Ghost Stories, London Horror Stories, Horror Stories for Halloween, Haunted Castles, Sleep Stories and The Haunting of Tullabeg...

[@juliahamilton2282]

I tried to buy The Haunting of Tullabeg, being in ROI thought I would like it.. But it said currently unavailable.. More Christmas Ghost stories is winging its way to my house though@@ClassicGhost

[@sleethmitchell]

great! what is "KIMESIS"?

[@ClassicGhost]

It's a long time since I read that story. Can you give me the sentence?

[@toadyuk8391]

Given the overlong length of my writings, but what am I going to do though ? I’ve split my feedback from the crumbs. This is a small sliver of loaf. I turn briefly to tales of interest and colour, of the sheldrake dog and his rather obsessive mandrake digging, of old Luxylian Valley and how one is easily lost there of summer sunrise and always turn to the village deserted other than cats, hundreds of cats. I can speak in whisper of the darkling huttercoates and their terrible bargain. Perhaps then I will speak about the “lost Torr” or beautiful Beltane eve in the days of my youth under a gibbous moon and shuttering clouds and how we jumped the fires as youths are won’t to do for winter luck bringing ? Toiling up old Trencrom hill in the mists and what you may see, standing stones that seem to move or shift as if they are men in grey robes, maybe they are ! I may stray into Mrs lancey and her sisters or the music under the hill. Straying now further I will come to Kent and the woods of pluckley, no place to be stranded alone at night. Of the tribal drumming in mid summer, rhythmic and native calling the unwary from their thatch and hearth. Wingham Well and it’s coven who worship out at the black and blasted tree. I may speak of musty summers Eve when it appeared that fordwich ducking stool was in use again or the mad “cows o the marsh”. Into town we come to the Templar’s chapel perilous with its eldritch carvings and a certain night of the year when the Vagner bagman gets out the silver key to open the banded door facing east gate. The pirates grave with its beautifully carved facades, momenti Mori and what goes on there at walpurgiznicht. I could then stray eastwards further and tell you about Harpenden Hall and how it’s boathouse was used by some “indiscreet owners”. I can stray into more than this, by the way - as I know you are reading this and wondering, I’ve only fabulated two of the above, the rest are genuine, interested ?

[@ClassicGhost]

The midnight folk. I will read this one here some day

[@toadyuk8391]

@@ClassicGhost midnight folk is one of my most all time, all time classics. My cat is called nibbins and I enjoyed just so much reading it to my children when small. I did all the voices too. Sadly I asked them the other day and they remember nothing ! But I have the memory. I had put a midnight folk reference in the earlier edit but I thought I removed it, but maybe it leaked through somewhere. You told me the other day stuff just pops up when we write ! That was in a podcast but as they are so personal they feel direct. The stories above have much of interest in them, though the witch coven is rather wicked as it still goes on. I stumbled into it literally and never regretted anything more, ever. I of course knew of witches in Cornwall but didn’t expect them in kent ! A story I will tell for sure.

[@leslieortenzi8875]

American here... what's a /ruh-gah-bloo/? LOL

[@ClassicGhost]

Ah ha. So rugger is slang for rugby a game akin to American football. A blue is someone who plays that sport at college, so you can be a rowing blue or a rugger blue.

[@bobbeyderbrain]

Sadly not loud enough. 😕

[@ClassicGhost]

It should be exported at -16 LUFS but sometimes in the older times I didn't and they came out at -20. Can it be turned up, or does it distort?

[@ClassicGhost]

Also, I'm using more compression these days. That should even out the quieter bits. I had avoided compression because audiobooks don't like it but people listen to KZbin on car radios and all sorts of non hi-fi speakers that I think we can sacrifice the nuanced quality that an audiobook requires. For KZbin we don't need to catch every little cadence and variance in tone and volume. So, in future I'm riding the red with the compression dial. I hope it produces more audible sound

[@bobbeyderbrain]

@@ClassicGhost I listen on my mobile. Even on full blast it's a strain to hear it. I don't have the same problem with most other audio posts from others.

[@mijiyoon5575]

@@ClassicGhost No problem w/ any I've heard except: *A Journey of Little Profit* & it had an odd sound almost like an echo or a vibration. Just letting you know since it's in a conversation topic on here. Also I have *Witch Wood* (book) by John Buchen & the language he uses is difficult to read & hear; even w/a book guide he is hard to read (for me)🙄🙄🙄