Hastings - Ashford Railway: BCL Films 1987 Documentary: Part One.

Here is part one (of two) of an excellent, professionally produced, documentary film about the Hastings to Ashford railway sometimes called the "Marshlink" made by BCL films of Hastings in 1987.
Here is an extract from the notes on the original video cassette box:
This is a detailed film of the Hastings to Ashford line, including the Dungeness branch, and a look at what remains of the Rye Harbour branch. From Hastings the line runs alongside the Fairlight Hills through the Sussex Weald. On through the halts of Three Oaks and Doleham it continues along the valley of the River Brede, exploring the long closed halt at Snailham before reaching Winchelsea and crossing the River Tillingham into Rye. At Rye the film makes a detour to explore the Rye Harbour branch. Leaving Rye across the River Rother the scenery changes as the line crosses the edge of Romney Marsh. Arriving at Appledore the film again makes a detour, this time onto the Dungeness branch, and the nuclear flask train at the power station. After Appledore the line crosses the Royal Military Canal near Warehorne before arriving in Ham Street. From Ham Street the line runs up through a dip in the hills to arrive in Ashford past the old railway works at Chart Leacon.
Part two (separate upload) shews mainly a round trip over the line on board Hastings DEMU No. 203 001 (formerly No. 1011): it also shews some of the many variations of DEMU formation in use on the "Marshlink" in the late 1980s.
This film is copyright to BCL films and shewn here without permission BUT, as far as I can tell, BCL films no longer exists (cannot be found on the internet) and, as far as I know, this footage is not available to be purchased or seen either via the internet or locally. Therefore, I beseech the forbearance of the copyright holders - the tape that I have (VHS video cassette) is deteriorating and if I don't digitise it now it will not be possible to watch it for much longer. My only objective in posting this here is that I and other people who share this interest can continue to see this historic footage in the future.

[@lloyddarbon5034]

I commuted from Rye to Ore from 2010 to 2017. It's great to see the changes and the similarities, and to get answers to my questions about Rye Harbour. Thank you for an enjoyable watch.

[@geoffbarry9540]

Thank you. "Lost" this clip some time ago. Having lived in St Leonards for four years in 2002-6 this was my local railway. Watching this footage is a genuine travelogue of our time there. I have footage shot in 2004 which I treasure - not a lot, about 20 minutes - around Hastings and the Marsh line. Even after all this time it's so poignant. A memory kept for ever, as is this wonderful footage.

[@Madmaxv8xb]

It’s incredible to see the vast empty spaces in which the college and shopping centre were built later on! This video is incredible!

[@paull2613]

Very interesting and enjoyable Thank you

[@johncourtneidge]

Absolutely beyond magnificent! This area of England is deeply held in my heart. The fact that the film makers included good coverage of both 'branches' (Rye Harbour and the Lydd and Dungeness runs) fully warms my heart. Many! thanks to all concerned and a fully justified upload. I'm sure that Budget Model Railways will also enjoy the shunting sequence filmed at Dungeness. Again, thank-you!

[@rosscityofliverpool.983]

I lived very near to ore station and used to watch some of the trains going into the power station. Brings back my child hood of using ore trains and playing around the station. Happy times.

[@ThraxUK]

Thank you so much for the upload. I used to spend every summer in Rye with my grandparents - and the memories of the trains and all the sights - takes me right back. #nostalgia :)

[@djtrainspotter]

Most interesting. I photted the Dungeness loading point in '86. Splendid area around there. So much forgotten history.

[@martinmargerrison2300]

Hats off to you for filming this what now must surely be historic footage. Very informative and most enjoyable. 👍

[@batman51]

Fascinating film. It's interesting to compare the pictures with today's scene using Google street view.

[@riverhuntingdon6659]

I remember "203001", made of vehicles from 6L 1011 and cosmetically restored, and named St Leonards, after the depot I worked at. There was another 4-car unit, 202101, made from cars from 6L 1013. This retained its 1st class trailer and was mostly used on the Vic/Uckfields. 1113 was another one, a funny Tadpole made from 6B power car S60044, a Hastings trailer, and a Hampshire Driving Trailer. Latterly known as 206101. It was used on the Ashfords. The walkway at Hastings Station was always called the Queen Mum's Walkway, and was done for her when she came to officially inaugurate the 1066 Electrics. Happy days, though I was sad to see the DEMUs go, and the non-standard hybrids such as Oxted 1319 go too. The EMU shed at Ore was set on fire by gypos who were trying to nick copper,etc, from the abandoned DEMU stock within. Mountfield was another storage spot along with Sevenoaks up Sidings for the doomed DEMUs.

[@djtrainspotter]

I remember the units stored at Sevenoaks very well. Wished i'd snapped them from passing on a train i did many many times.

[@rayvant6757]

I was a signalman at Appledore for a while

[@dryliner65]

Lovely footage and good descriptive information . Lots of changes since this was filmed . Thanks for posting

[@joeryan1153]

This is an excellent detailed video. About 7 years ago I drove along the course of the line. Thanks for such information, it's great especially the detail about sidings and branches to Lydd.

[@TheSouthernTerrierA1X0-6-0]

The Hastings Station now serves Hastings College,quite a shame that the good shed is gone now

[@chrishobbs6677]

Brighton Terrier j

[@Tullian100]

Fantastic video. Thanks for sharing. Shame it is not still available to buy on DVD.

[@philippaine]

Very good camera work.

[@djresource717]

My dad worked on the railways

[@veggie42]

Oh I remember that on holidays from school

[@tacticalbattledroid]

nice share :-)

[@pikeywyatt]

life through rose tinted glasses.

[@Nathan_A_RF]

Never knew Appledore had an open crossing or a signalbox into the late 80s!

[@TrainFan_95]

What's the name of the piece of music at the beginning? I've heard this on several railway videos (including a film shown at the National Railway Museum) and I'm wondering if it was a piece written about the railways. Do you know if if there is anywhere I could listen to this music without narration or background noise?

[@oldelephantstew]

It sounds like the kind of music that was used in 1950s newsreels - I don't know what it's called or where else it could be found. Maybe some other viewers will know the answer. I will check the video box but I'm fairly sure that the music credits are not shewn thereon.

[@TrainFan_95]

***** Thanks! I've been hunting for this piece for ages! :)

[@paulswann76]

Hi +trainFan 95 The music is called 'Rhythm on Rails' by Chris Williams itunes.apple.com/gb/album/rhythm-on-rails/id350288683

[@dodgydruid]

Where was "Signalman Sam"' filmed along here? Played by that Judge bloke out of Porridge explaining level crossing safety?

[@AlanSurgeoner]

Don't trains carrying nuclear flasks have to have two locomotives. I always see two whenever I see film of nuclear flasks being moved.I surmise this being in case one breaks down and therefore the 2nd unit takes over rather than leaving spent nuclear fuel on a mainline somewhere ?

[@pikeywyatt]

That why it was stopped..supposedly

[@3500P5]

Corking bit of footage !

[@MrTantrums007]

The dreadful 1980s and the era of Maggie Thatcher who closed the Tunbridge Wells to Eridge line to fund tax cuts for the wealthy. Then fast forward to c2005 and Hastings lost it's superb Southern Railway built railway station that should have been Grade II listed and saved! If only the Tonbridge to Hastings and then to Ashford lines were as it was c1950s and pre Beeching early 60s then the experience of train travel would be far better today.

[@oldelephantstew]

I do agree with you as regards Hastings Station. The old one was splendid whereas the new one is ugly as are all the new buildings around the station - the college building and the medical centre. Looked at from above, up on the West Hill, they are blots on the townscape.

[@francishuddy9462]

It was wrong when they closed the Tunbridge Wells to Eridge line, in 1985. But, hardly done to "fund tax cuts for the wealthy." It was simply cost-cutting, as in any Govt department. In 1987 onwards, yeah, I bet you bought shares in BT, British Gas, Land Rover, you name it ...

[@MrTantrums007]

@@francishuddy9462 No I never bought any shares in the previously nationalised industries. The Eridge Line was closed by the Tories so that it meant less government subsidies etc. and thus allowing more cash in the pot for tax cuts for the wealthy. There was no justified reason why the Eridge Line had to close.