Drivers Eye View of Plymouth to Exeter - From the Cab in the 1960s

[@peacockpaula4723]

Thank you for this lovely journey in time. Although I am younger these black and white films and the way they were spoken all that time ago the very pure RP pronunciation that was used those years ago by the BBC bring back tears... strange but fascinating to watch and listen... amazing, waw!

[@davidcrook5511]

Thanks so much for sharing this!! 😀

[@SpoonyMcSpoonface]

A great film that has given us a decent glimpse of Hackney signal box. Alas many rarely seen intermediate boxes were not filmed such as Bishopsteinton,Powderham or Cotfield. Sadly Mannamead had gone by the time this was filmed. Keep up the good work,thanks for posting.

[@iloveketo1]

Fantastic footage of early 60s. Double crossing into Laira depot. The bridge over Embankment Road being constructed. River Plym creek where the petrol station now is on Embankment Road. So many semaphores. Multi aspect electric signalling around North Road Station. Surely they must be the farthest signals west of London! Great video.

[@garyhawkins-pianoteacherpi6490]

Wow this is amazing. Shows how we’ve gone backwards since then. Journey times from Plymouth to Exeter are now an hour. Back then without all the road traffic they were under 10 minutes according to this film. :p ;p

[@davidhamm7909]

It’s interesting seeing the entrance to Mutley tunnel before the extension with the car park on it.

[@rubbishsignup]

Great upload. Just shows what a boring, bland and derelict wasteland the railway has become. All that infrastructure lost😢

[@Thunderer0872]

I think I can say for all that at normal speed would be a gem to watch seeing all the old signal boxes and North British loco near Plymouth Laira. took a while to change reels though, missed Dawlish and back at Exeter City Basin before Exeter St Thomas & Saint Davids.

[@AarchiveRailways]

I did try to play with the speed, but it started to look odd. It was given to us like that, which is a shame. I wish I had the entire journey.

[@Thunderer0872]

@@AarchiveRailways Changing reals on the move is not easy, even the video tape age Railscene used two cameras then two recorders to swap tapes. I still think that the detail is there that most would like to study the infrastructure and passing trains etc?

[@martyn6792]

Fascinating film, looked to be a lot of junctions now long gone plus alot of passing loops

[@nectafarious8842]

Steam finished in the 1960's. This was probably filmed in 1962 or 1963.

[@AarchiveRailways]

Thank you. I've updated it now, but I appreciate the input.

[@stevesalvage1089]

Yes 1961 to 1963 great footage,

[@rollsroycemerlin4321]

Sublime. Excellent and interesting footage accompanied by the King of composers: J.S.B.

[@johnd8892]

I remember a comment in a magazine, years ago , that the front seat of a DMU provided excellent filming opportunities. Almost certain that is how this was done. By CJF who lived around that area. No need to arrange a cab ride etc.

[@Thunderer0872]

@johnd8892 I think its a loco on a freight not calling at any stations to be honest.

[@johnboy8846]

Shame it missed the section through dawlish

[@Marcsharp82]

Steam engines were gone by 1968 and even earlier in the Western region so not 70s. Cracking film though

[@AarchiveRailways]

Thank you. It was my dad that was the expert, so I appreciate the input.

[@Marcsharp82]

​@@AarchiveRailwaysThe few diesels scene don't have yellow ends either which was a requirement by I think 1963. So it's even earlier than late 60s, your dad's footage would be loved by railway historians

[@amazoniaamazonia7225]

Fascinating, quit a rare film, is there any background information? I think it’s actually early sixties.

[@AarchiveRailways]

Not that I could find, sorry to say. I know my father did the original transfer, but no idea when it was originally shot. And thank you, I'll change the title.

[@chatkeow]

I was wondering if "Mutley Halt" would have been viewable but film started just beyond that point

[@gs425]

The class 22s didn't reach plymouth until 1960, and steam finished down there by 1964, so the year can be narrowed down to those few years

[@AarchiveRailways]

Again, thank you.

[@galahadthreepwood9394]

Bach and steam trains! Does it get better than that?

[@golden.lights.twinkle2329]

England looking grey, dull and dreary - just as I remember it.

[@keithfowler2013]

Steam engines in the 70's. 🤔 Great film,though.

[@AarchiveRailways]

My bad on this, I have corrected it now.