Let's Ride ... The GWR Marlow Branch

[@Drawyah]

I have a lot of respect towards Mark Hopwood as CEO of Great Western Railway. A lot of railway MDs are 'born' into the position, starting their careers at executive level. Mark started in the Ticket Office at Reading and climbed his way through various station and low level management roles to ultimately end up as MD in 2008. Its a climb to the top that very few have done!

[@markstrainsplanes]

Thanks a lot!

[@onlinefriend3889]

Vegetable.

[@shugieshugied2269]

It shows too, with his interest in, and tolerance of, physical token working, which most bosses would have found the budget to have removed.

[@markstrainsplanes]

@@shugieshugied2269 Ultimately the method of signaling is up to Network Rail but the line has never been prioritised for signalling renewal. Two times it’s come close (2008 ground frame replacement and 2014 Slough Panel Box closure)

[@Harry_Hippie]

Mark seems an absolute legend and a once in a lifetime treasure to the line.

[@markstrainsplanes]

Thanks to Geoff for producing such a great video and allowing me to play a role talking about one of my favourite subjects!! Geoff produces great videos and it’s fantastic to add the Marlow branch to his list! From me and everyone at GWR! Thanks Mark

[@tamara3984]

🥰💕 What a lovely comment.

[@martinfriend6464]

Great video! I walked the Thames Path National Trail in chunks during 2024 and rather incidentally found myself using the Marlow, Henley and Windsor branch lines as they all allow access to the river. Great if you want to combine a love of trains with a love of walking 👍

[@geofftech2]

thanks for having me along!! A superb day ... and fantastic to see everything up close, and how it works! Now to tick off all the other branch lines ....

[@NMD2013]

I moved to Cookham in 2021 and I had no idea there used to be direct trains to London (and not that long ago). That sounds dreamy, please bring them back. The train back from London is sadly very unreliable often resulting in missed connections (such as today) 😢

[@markstrainsplanes]

@ Sadly not possible now Liz Line running but we need to get those connections working better! On it.

[@doyoumind.atall.stopspying5572]

I have lot of respect for mark. Hopwood.

[@BellePullman]

What a pleasure to "meet" Mark Hopwood! It's restored my faith in the world a little bit to see someone who really loves their job and is so successful making their passion into their career!

[@TweedyPubs]

Fascinating and charming video Geoff. Perhaps the nicest surprise is the discovery that the MD of GWR is a genuine lifelong train enthusiast, and comes across as a nice guy, who still understands all the nuts and bolts of how the trains work, rather than a generic corporate executive type who has spent a career hopping from one industry to the next.

[@manekdubash5022]

Yes, a rare thing for the CEO to understand the operational intricacies.

[@IanPayne]

I lived in Cookham as a child, and when my friend and I were about 10 years old, we decided to save up our pocket money to take the train to London. We didn’t tell our parents the day we set off. The only problem was, we had no idea which station was actually London, so we decided on West Drayton. I still remember stepping off the train and thinking, Is this it? I’d imagined London would be amazing! I now do the Maidenhead to Paddington route once a week and always smile as I pass West Drayton.

[@androo4519]

What a nice guy. Unexpected. One of your best guests.

[@andrewl3655]

Lovely to see someone so enthusiastic about the railways also in charge of the railway!

[@smjrn63]

I started this video thinking token meant a coin that passengers had to use for the train. So quite an education for me on old rail mechanics. How wonderful that while the rest of the world is rapidly streamlining modernization that this rail from the past is still actively a part of the transport system. This is what I enjoying seeing when we can take the time to still use and value the past and not totally wipe out that part of our heritage and history. And yet again I have added another place from your videos for my next trip. Thank you.

[@treesthatleave876]

What a thoroughly decent chap Mark Hopwood is. Great to see you do a feature on my local line Geoff I really enjoyed this one.

[@JackLangston-lx2gl]

Never knew the Marlow Donkey has such a unique signal system using a wooden staff and tokens, great video as always Geoff

[@petec2583]

That wooden staff is far from unique, I can think of three places I sign where one is still in use. Admittedly one staff was recently replaced with a big brass key, but the principle is exactly the same.

[@smudgepuss]

I grew up in Marlow and when I was in Guides we had a couple of meetings over the years where we'd meet at the station, get the train to Bourne End and then walk back to Marlow along the river. A great walk, and you could finish up with chips from the chippie over the road from the pub.

[@susansmith3568]

I remember mark from the late 80s He was working at reading He is a fantastic bloke a true gent A proper railwayman !

[@Gary0557]

When you think of what Beeching did to the railways, it's great to see that quaint little country branch lines still exist.

[@DavidShepheard]

Maples did that to the railways - not Beeching. Beeching was trying to modernise the railways and came up with some good ideas. The idea of a hit list came from the Minister of Transport who also had a business that profited from motorway construction. If Marples had given Beeching more money many of those stations would have remained open.

[@hdublo]

This one nearly didn't! When they stupidly closed the Bourne End-Wycombe section (several years post-Beeching), it was only massive local opposition including the rapid formation of a Passengers' Association that prevented them from closing the whole thing!

[@rikufryderyk]

GWR's managing director can now officially be called one of Geoff's vlog companions. Didn't know this line existed!

[@Gary0557]

One word for this video, delightful.

[@geofftech2]

thanks Gary! 😊

[@HenrysAdventures]

Great to see you visit one of my local lines and always good to see a Toc MD who's a railway enthusiasts and clearly loves his job. We need more people like Mark Hopwood in the rail industry.

[@biggestbobby]

Brilliant - more like this Geoff please!

[@Trevor_Austin]

Mark explains some of the problems of modern operations vs history vs costs vs aesthetics really well. We need more Marks in senior positions to make our world a better place.

[@markstrainsplanes]

@@Trevor_Austin Thanks!

[@caledoniansleeper1253]

Mark Hopwood - What a great Guy!

[@mikemundy2005]

What a great experience. A Man who knows what he is talking about.

[@vblprg]

Although being from Czechia I rode this branch many times as I have family in Bourne End and used to have it in Little Marlow. First time I rode it was 1986. Indeed I remember the through trains to/from Paddington. Couple of years ago I walked along the Thames from Marlow watching the Donkey.

[@bobsyson4610]

I lived in Marlow for my first 13 years and I loved The Donkey so much. My old boss, Hopwood is a true railway ned. Thank you for giving me a pang of nostalgia and a bit of homesickness ❤😂

[@StewartYT41]

What a thoroughly pleasant man Mark is.

[@naysmith5272]

I love the Clickety-Clack of the Marlow donkey - and the feeling of the railway line running through the countryside. It is like a minitaure layout brought to life.

[@quantisedspace7047]

To me, it's like a preserved enthusiast railway, which just happens to be part of the "real" network

[@stephensmith1553]

What a very quirky little railway it’s nice to see things like that still happening well done Jeff and GWR

[@paulmiller591]

Loved the video way more than I thought from the title , which gave little away. Great work Geoff and your guest Mark, one of my favourites of yours to date.

[@michaelfisher6354]

As a former resident of Little Marlow - I recall the line very well and thought it sad when the level crossing was closed at Bourne End and then the track torn up - which meant no more trains to High Wycombe.

[@hdublo]

Yes - should never have happened. But we have to be grateful for what's left, thanks in no small part to the Marlow-Maidenhead Passengers' Association - which still exists 50-odd years later - fighting for the rights of the travelling public in the area! 🙂

[@quantisedspace7047]

It needs to be reinstated, perhaps as a light rail with street running.

[@bunburyboy]

I think transport with the CEO of GWR, Mark Hopwood, is in the best place, look out for his travel videos, a man who understands the Railways

[@RainhamRailEnthusiast]

What an amazing branch line, fully worth the visit. Loving that part of the old railway system is still alive and well. Great to see such a passionate employee too.

[@capturedlondon]

Watching Geoff during lockdown I inspired me to take my son on this line to Windsor Castle with my son, there is some great scenery around here and I went back later to get some drone footage thanks Geoff

[@victoriawakefield6747]

oh how exciting! Born in Marlow, 3rd generation to have done so. As an adult moved to Maidenhead where i lived for 30 years before moving a few years ago to Oxfordshire. Regularly used the Marlow Donkey to commute from Marlow to Maidenhead.

[@markstrainsplanes]

Bought up in Marlow I now live in Oxfordshire too!!! Great to return for this video !

[@TheEulerID]

I too lived in Maidenhead for about 30 years and have since retired to Oxfordshire in a little town called Charlbury on the Cotswold Line, another survivor from the Beeching era, reputedly because Peter Parker, the then chair of British Rail had a house nearby. The local station has a plaque bearing his name. I used to know the branch line to Marlow very well (and it's counterpart from Henley too). Both made for a useful route back to Maidenhead when I set out on a walk to either town. I also recall, as a child, when the Wycombe Line was operational, and always seeming to be caught by the level crossing at Bourne End station when travelling in my parent's car. nb. I assume as you lived in Maidenhead for so many years you had noted the bricked up entrance in the parapet where the Castle Road crosses the Wycombe Line. That was the site of Maidenhead Boyne Hill railway station, which operatied until 1871 when the current mainline station was built.

[@jgodfrey546]

A gem of a video, Geoff. You've added to my bucket list...

[@egpx]

Mark is living the dream isn’t he? Loved this video Geoff, maybe the start of a series about quirky little branch lines?

[@kellypaws]

My goodness, I've worked for quite a few MDs. None of them had Mark's love for their industry, or apparent approachability and lack of ceremony. I approve of this gentleman.

[@firstnamesurname1743]

Great video and really interesting presentation of the line by Mark.

[@eurcew]

As an "Old Maidonian" now living in NC, USA it's great to see my home old station on the channel! I used to get hauled by 47s and 50s up to London and DMUs to Reading for my old commute. Now I stand by that token hut in Maidenhead on the occasional morning waiting for the first Lizzy to come out of the stables for a run up to LHR. Only ever took the donkey for fun. We even got a cab ride one time. We were too scared to ask but the driver saw us looking through the window and tapped on the glass and asked if we wanted come up front! :-). Keep up the great work Geoff!!

[@steveamurray59]

Nice to know the man is charge has got a clue, excellent Piece, thanks.

[@roderickmain9697]

I can remember driving through Bourne End when the crossing gates were still in place on both sides of the road. It looked much more sensible to have kept the link to High Wycombe as it looked like it was designed that way. Sadly, any dreams of some reinstatement have gone out the window. There was a quick glimpse of the building as you came into Marlow, that was used by a company I joined in 1993. Where I normally worked was in Esher but I paid a visit to that Marlow office a couple of times. (difficult to believe that was 31 years ago) Its a seriously quirky branch with its odd dog leg - or maybe donkey leg.

[@MarkRowsey]

I just loved hearing Mark's childhood story about visiting the trains. That's exactly the kind of child I was! Those were the days!

[@markstrainsplanes]

Thanks!

[@quantisedspace7047]

Sure, but what would happen nowadays if an eight-year old were invited to a train journey by a driver/guard ?

[@mickontherock1]

What a great video, as always. It’s certainly on my bucket list. And what a nice man showing Geoff about. GWR is lucky to have him. I could listen to him for hours.

[@markstarmer3677]

What a great watch. Thoroughly enjoyed this video. So pleased we still have the quirks on parts of the network.

[@daniel_dsouza_]

Passed this route so many times, but never really explored it. Underrated you could say 😅

[@PhantomKaratOfficial]

I use this line fairly frequently, so this was all great to see - great vid!

[@a11oge]

On my doorstep, and I never knew - Thanks Geoff and Mark. A must ride I will do sometime soon.

[@williamlekstakaj5892]

I did the Thames Branches Day Ranger last November, and I have to say it was a very fun day out. And GWR trains were much enjoyed as well as the gorgeous places themselves!

[@Thunderer0872]

I am surprised no mention of Class 50s from Mark, a great video Geoff as usual.

[@Mystic_Mog]

Lovely video! I used to travel that branch line for a nice day out when I lived at Reading.

[@trevor20988]

Really good video, Hopwood comes across very well. How many MDs would know all that detail.

[@markstrainsplanes]

Thanks!

[@thanostheclub]

Ah, my neck of the woods! Obviously Marlow is the most operationally interesting of the Thames Valley branches, but I bet you could easily turn each one of them - even Windsor - into an interesting video: they're all a joy to explore, and, of course, the more you explore, the more you find. Really interesting to hear from Mr Hopwood as well - his expertise really shines through.

[@kingcal53]

Windsor branch would be a good one, especially all the changes at the station over the years. Lived around the corner from what was the Chalvey Halt, never even knew it existed until 4-5 years ago.

[@hdublo]

@@kingcal53 Chalvey Halt didn't last long - 6 May 1929 to 6 July 1930! Apparently, the local authority considered re-opening it in 2012 - not heard any more since...

[@TheEulerID]

@@kingcal53 The real tragedy of the the Windsor branch line is the fate of Windsor Central railway station. When I was a child, it was still virtually complete with an absolutely magnificent ticket hall, multiple platforms at the engine sheds. Buses would leave from underneath the canopy in front of the station. Of course they have all now been re-purposed, and it's mostly tourist places and eateries. It simply doesn't have the same feel as when it was all part of the railway. Of course it was totally out of scale to the need, but built that way because of its position and the royal connections. Now the platform has been pushed back down the line, and it all feels like a bit of an after thought. Of course, the lengthy and, originally dual-track viaduct that runs through Windsor, over the magnificent Thames Railway Bridge and marches its way across Eton common has a Victorian grandeur about it. nb. there is a slightly crazy notion to tunnel between the Windsor branch line and Windsor Riverside to create a through link. It's called the Windsor Link Railway.

[@lordbisnick3932]

Being born in 1956 and living in Marlow i have memories of the the steam "Marlow Donkey" If only it could be reintroduced. Great Vlog as always

[@gazwj]

Love a quirky branch line! And Mark just seems like the loveliest guy, quite the opposite to the stereotypical MD image, like genuinely seems to care not just acts like it for publicity

[@markstrainsplanes]

Much appreciated!

[@fToo]

@15:33 it looked like Geoff was about to give Mark a hug!

[@philiptaylor7902]

Great to see The Donkey getting some love. thanks Geoff

[@manekdubash5022]

All we need now is for Mark to bring back copper-capped steam engines painted in GWR green...

[@masterbrown8959]

Such an interesting video as always, Mark was really interesting to listen too, definitely learnt a lot about this branch line. 👍

[@petersmith4455]

great memories of 1968 when we used to get a class121 to Bourne end,.great times

[@elainemulberryrat5300]

Interesting video and nice scenery. Your guest was very knowlegable and friendly. Enjoyed watching.

[@markstrainsplanes]

@@elainemulberryrat5300 Thank you!

[@Harry_Hippie]

Smashing video Geoff! 🙏

[@neilpearson157]

I have travelled on the Bourne End - Marlow branch but it was 41 years ago. Time I revisited!

[@moe_1886]

Love it when Mark is on the channel, so much passion and dedication. Very enjoyable video Geoff. Thank you 😎

[@Taitset]

Loved this one Geoff! As someone who grew up on a suburban railway using single line token/staff working on the other side of the world, it was very relatable. Unfortunately my line got upgraded to modern signalling in 2013. 😢 Mark seems like a great guy - wonderful to see somone 'high up' in the industry being so open and honest about his passion.

[@soundssensational4568]

Fab double act to warm the heart. Must go!

[@jameswhite7734]

Loved this video. I grew up in the village above Bourne End, Flackwell Heath and as kids we’d come down to Spade Oak, one of the crossings and watch the trains by the Thames. As a side note you can still just see where the train from Bourne End joins at High Wycombe, there was a slightly lower bridge at Gordon Road adjacent to the main line and you can see it rise up along side the down main.

[@JohnTalbot-k6xi]

A+ Fascinating Story- Big Plus to have Mark Hopwood on ... can tell he loves Railroading (!!)

[@markstrainsplanes]

@@JohnTalbot-k6xi much appreciated - thanks’

[@grayman999]

That was absolutely brilliant I thinks the Branch from Middlesbrough to Whitby uses similar token machines I love these quirky little branch lines 😊

[@telemachus53]

What a great vid! Enjoyed every minute. You gotta hand it to Mark he's still enthusiastic about his job even though he's ben at it for many years.

[@teresaray]

My late husband used to explain to me about the token system used in Marlow Donkey line. Now seeing how it’s used makes it that much more interesting!

[@shaunwest3612]

Great video Geoff, lovely branch line👌👍😀

[@ianhelps3749]

I used to live in Cookham in the mid 60s ( age 4 to 5). The railway was,at the back of our garden. It was mostly DMUs then, but the line to High Wycombe was still open, and we saw the occasional freight train, sometimes steam! One day Dad took me for a doctors appointment in Maidenhead. Afterwards, because he had to get to his office in London , he put me on the train back to Cookham, so I travelled on my own. I felt quite big. ( The guard did keep an eye on me and made sure I didn’t get off at Furze Platt. ).

[@TheEulerID]

I recall from local newspapers that there were regular incidents of collisions between cars and the train before gates were installed. It seemed some drivers didn't notice the red lights. Of course all the collisions were at modest speeds given the proximity of Cookham Station.

[@johnrimmer7426]

One of your best!

[@CherylRayment-d9y]

New to your channel. But I have been watching your all the stations with you and Vicki. Enjoyed it a lot

[@Kevin_Hones]

I love this video Geoff! It’s quite local to this, err, vintage Wokinghamer. Yet I’ve never ridden the Marlow branch! I now will, probably next spring. Oh, and every time you mentioned the Bourne end shuffle, my brain heard “The Bourne End shuffle by 10cc”. Thank you so much!

[@johndwilson6111]

A great boss is a likeable person as well as a good leader who deals with crises and makes staff feel wanted and needed.😊

[@davidjewood]

Came for the trains. Stayed for the shuffle and the missing brass plaque

[@opiejaye]

Great video! I grew up near Bourne End so I'm quite familiar with the station though I don't think I got the train from there very often, only did the Marlow branch line a couple of times I think. I mostly remember the Bourne End station as the start point of the walk down the river to The Bounty pub. Also, in case anyone was wondering (probably not!), the black wooden-clad building next to Bourne End Station is Bourne End Auction Rooms, which sometimes appears in Bargain Hunt.

[@markwhickman351]

My local branch. Such a shame the High Wycombe connection was severed as it would genuinely be really useful now. The old station built into the bridge at Castle Hill Maidenhead before it joined the GWR mainline would be an interesting exploration.

[@davidbing4578]

Thanks Geoff I really enjoyed this video. Never realised tokens were still in use. ❤❤❤

[@davidmilne5122]

Ah the memories….I used to work in the first office block along Boston Drive at Bourne End and live in Marlow so I know this route very well! Nice review Geoff 😊

[@LKBRICKS1993]

Excellent really enjoyed it.

[@masterbrown8959]

A very interesting video as always. Really enjoyed listening to Mark and his memories of the branch line. Keep up the great work. 👍

[@Andrewkiff]

Lovely video, It brought back many memories of my childhood living in Bourne End. Thank you so much

[@Thesecret101-te1lm]

Great video! I bet the GWR manager is keen on showing the other branch lines too! What I learned today: How High Wycombe is pronounced. I always imagined it being why-combe :) It's unfortunate that the section between Bourne End and High Wycombe was closed in 1970. It's more sad that houses has been built on parts of the disused line. Seems easy enough to rebuild the exit from Bourne end, but to connect to the High Wycombe - Beaconsfield seems harder. I bet that it would be a useful railway today.

[@MrTryxxter]

This is wonderful and brings back so many amazing memories. I lived in Marlow almost 35 years ago for a short time. And echo Mark saying he'd either get the bus to High Wycombe or the train to Maidenhead. I loved both as I'd get the 'fast train' from High Wycombe into Marylebone or get the slow train to Maidenhead then the fast train into town, each an adventure on their own. Even in the late 80's & early 90's the Marlow line was utterly charming and clearly quite old fashioned, even then. I think the Americans would call it quaint, but it really, really is just that - wonderfully quaint. I'm absolutely thrilled to see it hasn't lost any of its charm and still functions as it did in my youth.I know it could do with some development, but I hope it wouldn't lose any of what makes it special. I really have to come back down south just to visit it again for old times sake.

[@kiles99]

What a great video Geoff, and loved hearing Mark's enthusiasm - I might have to dig out my GWR socks for tomorrow in honour of his appearance on your video!. I did this and the other Thames branches on a Thames Branches day ranger earlier this year, and unusually didn't plan an itinerary in advance so it was a pleasant surprise to discover the 2 train peak hours situation on this branch.

[@colinday63]

Well done Geoff! I have watched your videos for years (Londonist,, All The Stations, Your Own), but this has to be amongst the top 3 you have ever made. Entertaining, informative and train nerdy enough for me. Very well done! Thanks

[@geofftech2]

Well that’s super kind of you Colin, thank you. Am just trying to make good / quality content! 😊

[@pauleff3312]

That man may have a job but it's not work, is it? He lives his dream every day. Fantastic! I really enjoyed that - thanks for sharing

[@justingriffith3720]

Loved it. Was at school in Marlow (with the son of the landlord of The Marlow Donkey) and remember the line while it was still powered by steam.

[@phillwainewright4221]

"Station Road" is the second most common road name in the UK, between "High Street" and "Church Street".

[@trainsonthebrain]

Love this - how brilliant is it to still have a system like this in 2024/heading into 2025?! Excellent stuff.

[@6643bear]

Great video Geoff , wow token machines still being used and wooden staff Also to see the CEO come through the ranks, great guy Regards mark

[@HamishG199]

Hello Geoff, another fantastic video! I brought myself two tops from your merchandise shop! I have been watching since Londonist and I do not think I have ever miss a video! Very interesting branchline. It has changed so much from when the Networker Turbos ran from Paddington under First Great Western.

[@MattTCfarm]

So, the funny coincidence of this video to me is, i am in Ohio and just started watching _The Marlow Murder Club_ series. I was just looking at the map to understand what I was seeing in the shows. When I saw the dead end railway station I got confused but did not try to follow the line back to figure out why it was a spur. Now I know a bit more. I don't know why there are so many spurs, but I know there used to be more. Later

[@LiamBushrod]

I wanna hear you say it... "I love trains. I don't know why...." Man I felt that. All those tokens too. Fantastic video geoff!

[@stevesretroloft]

Great video Geoff, I've only used the Marlow/Bourne End stations once. That was when I was returning my company car after being made redundant! Spent many a lunchtime in the Donkey so the video bought back some good memories. Interesting the car park at 08:59 was where we (the engineers) would mostly park back in the old MCS/Sectornet days. I've got a picture of me standing next to a Beetle (painted as herbie which I'd had as a courtesy car!) in that car park. Interesting one of our building is still showing as still standing on Google Maps - But it's abandoned and probably will be houses at some point. (street view image from 2008 shows it all before the dozers moved in)

[@kingcal53]

Amazing! I went to Desborough School in the 1990s which is just up the road from Maidenhead station. Took me until 2022 to ride the train on that branch. Carter's Steam Fair used to have a Marlow Donkey ride, the first one I took my daughter on as a baby.

[@grantwarner9642]

One of your best mate

[@djburland]

The best reason to have his job, "I love Railways"

[@guillaumemaurice3503]

Thank you for the video Geoff that was very interesting & really fascinating. 💕

[@alanclarke4646]

I LOVE those Tyers token machines. 😊