Why Midland Railway Never made it South! - EDS: 49

[@donsharpe5786]

I think the Midland Railway was quite happy to share ownership with the LSWR for the Somerset & Dorset. It meant that they shared liability over what was an expensive route to run and it did give them access to Poole and the south coast.

[@Sim0nTrains]

Quite surprised that some Railway Stations on this line opened in 1959 but closed 5 years later. Lovely video and do love a good Every Disused Station video.

[@aedanjmcghie]

Beeching report in '63 and '65…

[@neiloflongbeck5705]

Halts were typically very cheaply built with in some cases little more than a couple of sleepers holding back a cinder and ballast back little taller than the tops of the rails, like those found in the Mildenhall branch at Fen Ditton, Exning Road, and Worlington Golf Links [actually "Mildenhall Golf Links" for a short initial period]. In other places they were more substantial timber structures, an example of this is Redcar East opened in 1929 and stil going strong unlike some of the more substantial stations between Redcar and Middlesbrough or Warrenby (which opened in 1920 and closed in 1978 when the line was shifted a little way to the south). The details depended in location. The lifespan of such station could be a matter of weeks to decades.

[@Sim0nTrains]

@@aedanjmcghie Sorry looked at what I said and meant to say more suspired that Halts were opened as late at 1959 than closed in 1964. Not surprised they closed as it was a failed attempted

[@aedanjmcghie]

@@Sim0nTrains Ohh it doesn't surprise me. Just last month I was in York standing beside Evening Star. The thing I did find odd was that I first heard of it in '78 which was only 13 years after it stopped running and for me as a 12 year old steam already seemed like ancient history.

[@JoOtterH]

They were opened in conjunction with the introduction of four wheeled railbuses which as they only had one door meant that the new halts could be very small timber structures of minimal cost. A far cry from the millions that new stations cost now.

[@simonbradshaw3708]

The loss of the branch line to Bath Green Park and the Somerset and Dorset route to Bournemouth is one of the biggest railway closures in the UK. The western region of BR eventually got their hands on this midland line and deliberately started to close the route. Today it would have been a spectacular journey like the Settle and Carlisle if it was still open.😭

[@davidnm21]

I do love walking old railway lines so this was fascinating stuff Paul thank you.

[@infidelcastro5129]

I’m a - sorry THE - County Council highways safety inspector in this area and am always fascinated by the history I happen upon when I’m doing my rounds. Thank you Paul and Rebecca for adding context to these mysteries I come across. I’m still hoping to bump into you one day!

[@pwhitewick]

I'm positive you will one day!

[@infidelcastro5129]

@@pwhitewick Not today though because I’m off work with a cold lol

[@HoxieDan5369]

Thanks

[@pwhitewick]

Thank you Danny!!

[@alistairshaw3206]

Great video again Paul. We have two branch lines in Scotland that were meant to meet up, but unfortunately the landowner would not let the G&SWR have the land. So the Largs branch and the Wemyss bay lines are both branches instead of a through line!

[@AberystwythStation]

Great video and explore of the Tetbury branch. You should have messaged me, I work at Kemble airfield and drive past Jackaments on my way to and from there! If you are back in the area where Jackaments is, you really ought to have a look around and see what you can find of the roman road that passes through there (directly parallel to one of the taxiing roads on the airfield). Take care, GWR

[@kennethgoodchild6272]

Living in Swindon and working on the Railway for 22 years, I found this fascinating and entertaining. Thank you Paul , I love the videos that you both put out - keep up the good work.

[@Oceansteve]

I sometimes walk in these areas and come across the odd piece of industrial history that makes me marvel how quickly things can be covered and forgotten. It’s great to see some of that have the research performed to give context to them.

[@shirleylynch7529]

Another enthusiastic journey with old stations and railway lines. Great walk ways now. Loved the wee sightings of the Alpacas. Thank you😊

[@pwhitewick]

....and what a curious noise they make!

[@taloire43]

Many thanks Paul. Given the amount of building around the country now many of the these branch lines would have been very useful.

[@pwhitewick]

Extremely useful indeed. 👌

[@neiloflongbeck5705]

If the public would use them. The same is true for rural bus routes. Unfortunately they often don't run at useful times for commuters or they get cancel completely. Local to me a bus route that links the city centre to a business district (within the city) has been pulled due to lack of users in these post-Covid days. Others in the more rural areas vital for kids to get to college have been withdrawn for the same reason. Those who had to use them have been forced to take to other means of transport because the rest of their communities, often containing a number who would complain if the services were cut but never use them, can't be bother to use them.

[@davidgaul6743]

very true , couldn't agree more

[@CameronIClark]

Not least in Tetbury which has seen a great deal of new building in the last 10 years.

[@davidpalin1790]

Exactly, what was done closing these railways was a massive act of environmental terrorism

[@timmeekings3492]

Stumbled across your channel by happy accident a couple of months ago and absolutely love it. Subscribed straight away. I'm in the process of watching every episode from the first one. What impresses me is the way the episodes are presented. A lot of work is obviously put in to make the episodes and they are really interesting to watch. I have an interest in abandoned/disused railways and because of the way you both present and explain stuff makes gaining knowledge real easy. Thanks to you both. 👍👍 PS: I also have an interest in the Beeching Reports and the way they were conducted. One word - political.

[@HoxieDan5369]

Lovely couple lovely work. This is appreciated. You bring much more than a studio history would ever bring. Thanks to you both Paul and Rebecca. Danny

[@kevinfitzpatrick444]

Was following this railway yesterday on the bus (presumably that one that went past you at the start was on the same route) and was quite surprised that the railway embankment remained in tact most of the way to Tetbury. Didn't have enough time between buses to check out the Tetbury end unfortunately

[@lindamccaughey6669]

Great video thanks Paul. I love everything to do with rail. Thanks so much for taking me along. Please stay safe and take care

[@ennamichaels5144]

My mum recalls going to Western Super Mare by rail as a child from Alcester (in Warwickshire). The railway line was axed in the 1960´s - most of the route still exists and can be walked. Including the old iron bridge. Alcester was a Roman settlement called Alauna and on one of the main roads (Fosse way I think) if you haven’t checked it out yet - recommend you do. Now it is just seen as a ‘suburb’ of Stratford-upon-Avon but historically it was as if not more important than Birmingham and Stratford as a Market town where two small rivers met (the Arrow and the Alne).

[@JagoHazzard]

Trouble House Halt is the best station name.

[@nigelprice3929]

How many other halts were ever built jago for a pub ? Is it possibly unique ? The pub has quite a history but often a bit sad. Trouble relates I think to one of the agricultural workers uprising.

[@johnspurgeon9083]

So this is where Trouble House Halt is - qv The Slow Train by Flanders and Swan! I agree that the S&D was the Midland way south but was not well placed to capture much of the south-west west of Poole. In any case the GW and SR were already fighting themselves to a standstill getting to Plymouth.

[@tomlee812]

I always look forward to Sundays for your videos, and this one didn't disappoint. Another very interesting broadcast, thank you.

[@Chicken_12345]

even as someone from that local area I've learned something today

[@lankriverfront8360]

Love it when you show all these old branch lines. I have a photograph of one of the steam trains on the Malmesbury line, that was left to me in her old photo collection.

[@TheLowerman]

Woooo, Sunday with the Whitewicks. Thanks for taking us along!!

[@robinjones6999]

the stations themselves all have marvelous names. A truely beautiful area.

[@pwhitewick]

Indeed, loved this little line.

[@BarneyLeith]

I used to travel from and to Kemble a lot in my teen years. And I did take a trip on the Tetbury and Cirencester branches in the 4-wheel railbus. By the way, it's Minety, rather than Minty.

[@paulinehedges5088]

Thst was really great. Lovely countryside in the Autumn. I love your enthusiam and energy. Also loved the llamas!!

[@Beatlefan67]

I agree Paul, Kemble is a lovely station. We used to travel that way quite regularly and it was a nice rest point and have lunch - the pub was good back then too. Hopefully, it still is! I believe the branch to Cirencester is being looked into for a rebuild. Thanks for another great video.

[@robinwatling6538]

thoroughly enjoyed thank you railway ones are my favourite by far

[@pwhitewick]

Thanks Robin

[@craiglogistics2092]

The Midland & South Western Railway ventured South from Andoversford and passing through places like Cirencester, Swindon, Marlborough, Andover and Fullerton Junction 😊

[@andrewtaylor5984]

The MSWJR was deliberately run down by British Railways, having been a key route in the second World War, when there were so many airfields and army camps in the area. Indeed, a portion of the Pines Express traversed the route in prewar days. In 1959, the connection with the main line at Cheltenham was removed; closure followed two years later, by which time there was just one through train each way to Andover, and the direct line from there to Southampton followed in 1964. Another reason why the there were so many branches in the area must be due to the terrain. The Midland line would surely have had steep gradients, or tunnels, or both, through the Cotswolds, no matter what route was decided upon.

[@Teesbrough]

Very enjoyable watching your tour of a line which I almost certainly travelled on in my pram; I’m told I definitely went to Cirencester from Stroud that way! Kemble station is kept immaculate as, being the nearest station to Highgrove (in Tetbury) and not too far from Gatcombe Park, it is often frequented by the Royal Train. Loved the little Easter Egg side reference to Concorde!

[@PhilipInCoventry]

Thank you. Loved your presentation.

[@showmanpete2805]

fantstic vid, your knowledge is something else please keep these old railway vids coming

[@martinmarsola6477]

Great to see you again. An interesting walk this afternoon. Hello to Rebecca! Cheers mate!

[@dhughes6710]

I do love your videos. So professional and informative and great to watch. I do think they better than some of programmes put out by TV Companies.

[@leeclift4666]

Cheers for posting Paul nice to see you up in the shire.Yes Kemble station is gem.

[@phillunn4691]

Another really cracking video Paul. It’s great that you are still exploring the dismantled railways. So very interesting and informative! Thoroughly enjoyed it! Thanks Paul 👍🏼👍🏼

[@stevebarryBAZZA]

Great video as always Paul. I love your railway videos. The every disused station videos are my favourite topic.

[@boboneleg]

Another great video Paul, I did chuckle as those could be my tyre marks that you walked over at 4.30 :)

[@dazzlingdaz187]

Loved the format of this video, Paul. Great story whilst showing off some more disused stations. Thank you

[@pwhitewick]

Cheers Daz. Was a tad worried it could confuse the whole subject. But we got there.

[@adriannorthcott902]

Another excellent and informative video Paul. Keep them coming

[@AndyWoodger]

@Paul and Rebecca Whitewick Straying from the railways is ok, you seem to find some good stuff to look at.

[@Sarge084]

An area I'm very familiar with, and I've observed those track beds from various vantage points, mainly driving past I have to admit, but I have had close interaction with the Malmesbury Station and where the track went through what is now part of Abbey House Gardens. My numerous visits to Kemble Airport took me under one of the removed bridges too!

[@richieixtar5849]

Just to say, Been subscribed to you two for a while, just to see, and I gotta say you two are great.. love the way you present and absolutely Love the places you take us... You're always interesting and decent folks.... Nice to see your connection with Martin Zero as well... hugs from very near to the Talybont tramway 🙂

[@UsualmikeTelevision]

Fantastic video! Always love your work Paul.

[@paulboyle6857]

I remember the diesel railcars at Kemble going off to Cirecester & Tetbury in the 50,s,early 60,s. I was born in Tetbury & lived near Stroud throughout schooldays.

[@AndrewJohnson-ur3lw]

Interesting Paul My sisters ex in-laws lived at Minty and they pronounced it as Mine-ty and a neighbor was Ian Anderson from Jethro Tull There were a lot of schemes proposed to act as blockers

[@CaseyJonesNumber1]

It's spelt Minety, not Minty as both you and Paul spelt it. But it is pronounced Mine-ty...

[@misterflibble9799]

@@CaseyJonesNumber1 I suspect autocorrect has been active... :)

[@stewartjones2216]

Nice to c u back on the the right track loving it mate...

[@PaddyWV]

I still have an Eighties radio jingle tune in my head. "Get away from it all... It a wonderful town.... (Something something)... Tetbury!!! 🎵 Used to play on Severn Sound Radio.

[@davie941]

thank you for another very interesting video Paul and Rebecca , well done and thank you 😊

[@lilchris26]

Thanks for this video, I love the railway vids. Chris

[@neiloflongbeck5705]

Tetbury station was situated on the Gloucestershire-Wiltshire border meaning that livestock would pass from one county to other on entering the goods yard. This meant that different swine fever regulations were in effect and delays in transhipping the livestock would occur on arrival either from a farm or before heading to the farm.

[@andrewmarch7891]

Thanks Paul, We often hear about 'railway mania' but don't often hear about any of the consequences so thank you.

[@SteveInskip]

Great vid Paul! 👍

[@natejones902]

It's interesting hearing story's across the pond of railroads that didn't make it to where it was suppose to. Over here across the pond where I grew up outside Washington DC there was simular stories. One such line was the Washington and Old Dominion Railroad. Neat hearing other stories! Good job!

[@michaelbenton4117]

Another great video. Take a luck at the disused line from Stafford to Shrewsbury. You will need your bikes on part of it. Or Stafford to Uttoxeter, part of it is now Sainsbury's car park in Stafford.

[@Hairnicks]

As usual an amazing insight into lost history, what would we do without you and Martin Zero Paul?

[@alanclarke4646]

Keep 'em coming, Paul.😁😁

[@michaelharrison2405]

There was the M&SWR which ran from Cheltenham to Andover Junction via Cirencester, Swindon, Marlborough and Savernake to Andover. From Andover a SR line ran to Southampton via Romsey. There were through trains from Cheltenham to Southampton. Much of these lines was single track. The M&SWR seems to have carried few passengers and closed in 1961.

[@pwhitewick]

Ahhh.... my favourite line! MSWJR. And of course beyond Andover was the Spratt and Winkle.

[@RichardFelstead1949]

As always, very interesting.Greetings from Australia.

[@nickorman814]

I think that building at Culkerton was more likely a goods shed than a signal box.

[@TheOracle65]

I have lived in and around the Cotswolds for some years, so found this video very interesting. Must check out the Tetbury Trail, looks like a nice walk. Thanks!

[@grahamsecr3677]

Plenty of pictures of all the stations you visited in Mitchell & Smith “Swindon to Gloucester” in the Middleton Press series Western Main Lines.

[@miketherefurbisher8000]

Outstanding!! Thanks Paul👍👍

[@trainsonthebrain]

Enjoyed taking this stroll (vicariously!) with you Paul. The Trouble House is a great boozer/eatery!

[@roamingthepaths7363]

I forgot that the Midland railway got to Bristol so early. We all think of Temple Meads and GWR.... I also think of Gloucester as firmly GWR territory, and thus it amuses me the way between two GWR cities, was via the midland railway.

[@andrewfanner2245]

Immortalised by Flanders and Swann: On the Main Line and the goods' siding The grass grows high At Dog Dyke, Tumby Woodside And Trouble House Halt. The sleepers sleep at Audlem and Ambergate.

[@steveaskey]

"Slow Train" was also my first thought on hearing "Trouble House Halt". Ambergate and several other stations named in the song actually survived the Beeching cuts

[@barryroberts2196]

Very good, thanks so much.

[@johnkirkpatrick1523]

I enjoy the architecture as much as the history and abandoned ROW. Thanks.

[@alsner73]

Culkerton station was owned by Jet Black (drummer for the Stranglers) from the 80s until a few years ago. That is the old goods shed shown.

[@samhklm]

Fascinating.

[@ReubenAshwell]

I find it quite fascinating that the Midland railway had ambitions to make it all the way to the South Coast.

[@pwhitewick]

...and technically they made it,

[@malcolmrichardson3881]

Very interesting walk and talk along the former Tetbury branch. This appears to have undergone considerable improvement at the Tetbury end, since I last visited many years ago. Perhaps the financial difficulties of the Midland, heavey engineering costs in traversing the Cotswolds and the machinations of the GWR protecting its monopoly, explain some of the fragmented branch line structure in the area. Interesting also, that the Midland joined with the SWJ railway in reaching the south coast, this time via Swindon.

[@MrGreatplum]

Fantastic story telling there, Paul - 19th century railway politics is fascinating!

[@andrewbradbury8527]

Yes, interesting video..well filmed

[@raphaelnikolaus0486]

Lovely video once again

[@pt9101]

Wonderfully informative as usual.

[@Rog5446]

As with the Slow & Dirty (Somerset & Dorset) railway take-over, the Midland also got to Southend on Sea with the take-over of the London Tilbury & Southend Railway.

[@andrewtaylor5984]

It was not the Slow and Dirty. It was the Swift and Delightful, then the Sabotaged and Defeated. The problem was that the line went through no centres of population. I doubt if anywhere between Bath and Poole has a population of 10,000, even today. I gather that just after closure of the line, in 1973, Bristol to Bournemouth was about the most lucrative express coach service in the country which did not serve London. What did National Express, or its predecessors, do which British Rail could not?

[@johnjephcote7636]

When my family holidayed in Bournemouth we often took the joint line from Bournemouth West to Bath Green Park. The Midland and the South Western influence were very obvious ...LMS 2Ps with Southern green coaches.

[@petersimpson633]

Like your vids, thanks for sharing. For these former station locations that are now unrecognizable, The National Library of Scotland has good coverage of early 25 inch to a mile OS maps available online...

[@marktownend8065]

East of thhe Swindon - Gloucester GWR line, there was also the Midland and South Western Junction Railway, from Cheltenham through Cirencester, Swindon and Marlborough to Andover where trains could carry on via the LSWR 'Sprat & Winkle' line to Romsey and Southampton. This was conceived of as a 'joint' route from the Midlands to the South avoiding or at least minimising use of any GWR metals, but unlike the S&D, which was acquired jointly by the MR and LSWR after 1875 bankrupcy with the joint ownership surviving grouping, the M&SWJR remained an independant company until 1923 when it was wholly absorbed by the GWR.

[@glennridehalgh4491]

Lets get it right!!! the Midland Railway ran from St Pancras to Glasgow Central via Settle,Carlisle and Kilmarnock and also ran to the south coast via Kentish Town then onto the underground To Blackfriars and onto Brighton, retired Cricklewood driver Glenn Ridehalgh

[@genericfootyfan]

Great video, thank you. 😊

[@SBCBears]

Makes me nostalgic for the old branch lines and wish there was some way to revive those connections (or whichever are pertinent) with a light light electric rail system. Just daydreaming. Thanks, Paul.

[@malcolmsmith6615]

Excellent! I worked at Kemble station for a while so I know the area. Not sure if you realised, but the disused Kemble platform you showed was in fact for the Cirencester branch and not for Tetbury, that was on the other side of the station by the water tower. I may be wrong, but I’m led to believe that the intermediate halts and platforms were no more than low-level wooden standing areas. Passengers had to climb up into the train using steps. Very enjoyable!

[@pwhitewick]

Yup, I think we squeezed a few shots of that platform too. (Tetbury Branch). I needed to use the original cirencester line as a thumbnail because it was much more of a visual.

[@malcolmsmith6615]

@@pwhitewick I guessed that’s why you did it. Not much to see of the Tetbury platform.

[@michaelcampin1464]

My bother in law used to live in Tetbury and I ended up playing a game of cricket and rugby for the village.

[@longbar2344]

in reference to the branch line at Kemble, our machines stable off that old overgrown platform. i never realised it was a branchline until watching your video

[@pwhitewick]

Ah do you mean that Cirencester directional one? If so yup that was the original route of the golden Valley Line!

[@longbar2344]

@@pwhitewick the old platform to the left as i walk down the carpark to the station.

[@pwhitewick]

@@longbar2344 ah if you mean the west side, that is indeed the Tetbury Branch.

[@longbar2344]

@@pwhitewick looking at the map it is the east side. looks to have gone to Cirencester

[@longbar2344]

@@pwhitewick if you visit swindon give me a shout:-)

[@DeneF]

Brilliant. Many thanks.

[@Jimyjames73]

Very good Paul - Thanks for sharing 🙂🚂🚂🚂

[@musicgarryj]

Interesting video! One minor pedantic quibble: nobody says "Midland Railway"... it's always "the Midland Railway" or "the Midland". The S&DJR was a joint venture with the LSWR, but as the Midland provided all the locomotives they actually DID reach the south coast literally "under their own steam!" lol

[@alexhando8541]

Watch the video

[@danmobley485]

If you search for the Kemble to Ciren video on KZbin by Lester Woods - it’s original footage of both the tetbury and Cirencester branch lines in action

[@almostanengineer]

The only good thing to come from Beachings involvement in the railways is the beautiful cycle paths that now utilise some of the old railway cuttings.

[@michaelmiller641]

Thanks Paul, yes I do like seeing this type of video, keep 'em coming you and Rebecca . There was also the midland and south western joint railway that took the midland to Southampton, I think.

[@pwhitewick]

Made it as far as Andover ✅️

[@TheAnonymousfruit]

There is a plan to extend the Line from Kemble back to Cirencester in the near future, using Very Light Rail (almost Tram-like construction)

[@ArcAudios77]

Thanks Paul, good watch & education. Small Tunnel created to let Sheep cross the Railway safely to alternate Pasture - impressive Victorian planning & build. Regards

[@stevecotton5262]

Trubshaw close- named for Brian Trubshaw test pilot of Concorde who lived in Tetbury area.

[@SteamCrane]

7:59 - Alpacas. Llamas are bigger and have an attitude, frequently used to protect an Alpaca herd.

[@pwhitewick]

....never can tell the difference, so thanks for this. What a beautiful noise they make!

[@SteamCrane]

@@pwhitewick A while back, I saw a barn at an active farm painted in big letters: "HUM-A-LOT ALPACAS".

[@TrainDriverRob]

Top Twip, Llama rhymes with banana! Llamas have large banana-like ears 😊

[@pwhitewick]

@@TrainDriverRob legend

[@manmeetsinghmahajan6183]

Nice one 👍

[@paulharvey9149]

Thanks, Paul - it seems like a while since you did a railway-themed video, and especially of this exploration type - although I appreciate that they are limited in number, and that most of the ones within a couple of hours drive from you are frustratingly parcelled up on private land... I must admit I had never thought of the possibility of any of these branch lines being linked to form through routes to the South Coast, rather that they might have been built in order to dissuade or prevent any thoughts that rival companies might have had of doing so - such as the Morningside and Dolphinton branches in Scotland...! Have you done anything on the Weston, Clevedon & Portishead at all? Best leave it for a drier season if not - therrrr's a lat o' mud in them fields at the best o' times!

[@bobsrailrelics]

Great summary. Looking at those lines, they would have ended up going through Westonbirt Arboretum so maybe a positive they weren't built.

[@robertdonaldson6584]

I am fiddling "Swinging on the Gate" on my violin.