Rediscovering the Nickey Line: Harpenden to Hemel Hempstead

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A journey along the alignment of the former 'Nickey Line' railway between Harpenden and Hemel Hempstead to see what remains of this lost line. Please SHARE and SUBSCRIBE.
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CREDITS
The copyright for the black and white photographs belongs to the following:
- Harpenden: I would welcome details as to the copyright holder's identity
- Roundwood Halt: John Alsop Collection www.disused-stations.org.uk/r/...
- Redbourn Halt: John Alsop Collection www.disused-stations.org.uk/r/...
- Beaumont's Halt: John Alsop Collection www.disused-stations.org.uk/b/...
- Godwin's Halt: John Alsop Collection www.disused-stations.org.uk/g/...
- Hemel Hempsted: Alan Willmott www.disused-stations.org.uk/h/...
- Heath Park Halt: H.C. Casserley www.disused-stations.org.uk/h/...
- Boxmoor: upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedi...

[@zennor_man]

A poignant reminder to me of my days along the line. I lived on the site of "Brocks" factory first. It was still Brocks Corner on the bus timetable then. Later I moved to Redbourn & then moved on to Harpenden so I got to know the track pretty well. A lovely production & many thanks.

[@RediscoveringLostRailways]

My pleasure - glad it stirred some favourable memories!

[@marvinwinthrop980]

I was brought up in Luton and always wondered about the bridge that crossed the road on the A6 coming into Harpenden from Luton. I live in Harrow now so last year I took my bicycle to Hemel Hempstead and cycled along the pathway of the Nicky Line. Great afternoon out

[@RediscoveringLostRailways]

It's a lovely route to cycle!

[@marcomiedema4303]

I love the way you compare the old situation at stations to the current situation.

[@RediscoveringLostRailways]

I like to try and do this where possible. I think it effectively shows how much has changed.

[@Nikkilovesgils]

As a child I regularly walked the line during the summer holidays with both my nan and aunt and I was led to believe by my uncle that the pile of bricks may have been the base for a small crossing keepers but although I was also told that it was more likely to be an old P way hut, I loved this video it brought some wonderful memories of my childhood

[@RediscoveringLostRailways]

It would make sense if it were a permanent way hut. Thanks for sharing your memories of the line. I'm glad this film helped to rekindle them!

[@michaelpilling9659]

Haunting music to go with a very haunting film. Very little left of a once magnificent line. Thank you for bringing it "back to life". Superb video.

[@RediscoveringLostRailways]

Yes, Elgar again! It was a lovely day for filming. Glad I shot on the downhill gradient though, doing it the other way would've been murderous!

[@peterjhillier7659]

Another bitter sweet look at a lost Railway, how banal modern Life seems. Thank you

[@RediscoveringLostRailways]

My pleasure. Thank you for taking the time to comment.

[@barrythedieselelectricstea5217]

excellent video👍 so sad to see what was a lovely railway line disappear and sadly not much of it left it's ashame it closed 🤔

[@RediscoveringLostRailways]

A light rail connection, here, would be most useful... But alas... Thanks for your comment and kind words about my film!

[@rogermew5578]

Hi My grandma used to live at the toll lock house and I used to get on the train being shunted down into the gas works. This circa 1956/7 ish! I was 10! Now I used to go down the line from Hemel Heath halt and the train about 10 wagons or less and the guards van. The guard had the trucks brakes partly pinned and he operated the catch points. We ran down into the gas works and he ran the train to a stop and then ran the guards van onto one siding and walked back changing the points and then rolling the trucks into another siding and then pinning the brakes. On the way back an engine came and collected the trucks, pulled out and then came and collected the guards van the whole train then came back where the engine uncoupled the wagons brakes pinned, as was the guards van. There used to be a coal siding along the side of the road on the north side of the River Gade and the new police station and car park are now on the other side, whilst the "main line" curved around on an embankment to the other side of the valley with the Coach and horses Pub being on the east or Hemel side and passed over a granary or animal feed store and then over the road, ther the loco waited. The train of trucks from the gas works was rolled down into one of those sidings. This happened several times with the trucks returning several groups as a long line back to St Albans. There was no connection between the main Boxmoor to Euston line the whole train coming from St Albans. There may have been a siding but certainly no connection at the gas works, indeed the retort and the gasometer actually precluded something passing either side as the road to Boxmoor railway line space was quite limited. I used to go to Two Waters school (Pillings Volvo was there subsequently) and frequently scrambled up the railway bank and walked along the track to my grandmothers.

[@RediscoveringLostRailways]

Thank you for your vivid memories of this line, which bring it to life in a way my films never can!

[@richardbrooks50]

I lived in Harpenden 77-79 and walked the line many times and saw the very last train from the Hemelite factory in the spring of 79.

[@RediscoveringLostRailways]

It's a great little line - glad you got to see its last throws of operation!

[@D.C.009.]

Lived at Redbourn 80 to 84, used to walk the line to school in Harpenden every now and then, to Roundwood halt,behind the school field .

[@johnsharp8632]

Another very informative and well-presented video. How good see that so much of the railway's alignment has been turned into wide footpaths that would never have existed had it not been for the Nickey Line. What an excellent legacy.

[@masterbarnard]

Thank you for putting this together! I used to have to drive down Cherry Tree Lane to get to work...

[@RediscoveringLostRailways]

My pleasure! Glad you enjoyed the film 🙂

[@likklej8]

The Brocks Firework factory was on the line and had sidings. Now Highfield housing estate. Latterly Hemelite brick works ran from Cupid Green(Grove Hill) to the main line at Harpenden. Using Clayton Diesel Locos.

[@syncrosimon]

Used to put pennies on the track as the slow trains went past in the late 70’s. Thanks for sharing.

[@RediscoveringLostRailways]

I daresay you were not alone in what seems to have been this rite of passage!

[@1006000]

I remember laying pennies on the line, near Roundwood, to see how the steam engine would remould them. Happy times,

[@RediscoveringLostRailways]

Great memories!

[@thecheapskate6187]

Excellent choice of music!

[@RediscoveringLostRailways]

Thank you. Its a lovely piece!

[@saltleywsc]

Another superb video Thank you for sharing !

[@RediscoveringLostRailways]

Thank you for saying so. I'm glad you enjoyed it.

[@EandEFC]

Walked it a couple of years ago in the summer great line to walk love seeing the video Well done again

[@RediscoveringLostRailways]

Thank you - it really is a lovely route. I'm glad you feel that this film did it justice!

[@London1064]

Great video. Imagine how much sense this would have made to keep the line and use it for passenger services now days. This would have relived pressure of the very busy Redbourn Road and surrounding neighbourhood's!

[@RediscoveringLostRailways]

Yes and it would've been a handy shuttle between these two towns

[@UseitLoseit]

I lived in Chequer Lane, Redbourn (in fact my parents still do) and I vividly remember waving at the driver (he waved back) as he came past on the coal train in the late 70's, in a small clearing, from our house window. I also have a very rare photo that I took that no-one has ever seen of the bridge when it was taken down, as it lays in Chequer Lane, being nudged along by a JCB tracked digger. I think this was the last time it was ever seen before it was taken away for scrap. This was when the By-Pass was being built early 1980's. I should post this on the internet for all to see...

[@RediscoveringLostRailways]

I think many would be interested in that. May I recommend the Disused Railways group on Facebook?

[@syncrosimon]

Happy memories from being kids in Redbourn. Hope you are keeping well Nick.

[@petersmith4455]

hi there.love the video. we live near the midland rd, and i often walk from the pub along the nickey line to the next bridge. where was the brick viaduct,some said it was where the magic roundabouts are,its a pity the platforms were taken away. another walk is the Harrow to Stanmore village line which i have done a few times

[@RediscoveringLostRailways]

I must confess I'm not entirely sure as I don't know the area - but I daresay the Internet may have an answer!

[@soundnicetome]

Thanks for sharing once again...always a pleasure viewing your video`s ...excellent content by the way.

[@RediscoveringLostRailways]

I'm glad you enjoyed this. It was a lovely day in the summer when I made it - really showed the line in its best light.

[@SMILEVIDEOTRAINS]

Very well researched. Great to view. Thank you

[@RediscoveringLostRailways]

My pleasure. Thank you for your comment

[@anthonytidey2005]

Love the video I lived in Harpenden and remember the trains passing the schools junior and S M, steam 43119 and 0-6-0 43333

[@anthonytidey2005]

2-6-0 43119 later diesel's. My aunt lived in Hemel Hempstead I used to go down to the goods station and see 43119 shunting and I was on a special from Harpenden to the halt between the Grand Union Çanal and the A41. Thanks for bringing back memories of boy hood and a great video

[@paulfleet6938]

Well done....great memories, especially of the shunt trips from the Hemelite factory towards Harpenden...loads in [power station fly-ash], empties out. All came to untimely end in 1979...

[@RediscoveringLostRailways]

Glad this brought back memories! Do see my other films in the series.

[@paulfleet6938]

An excellent series...keep up the good work

[@Byzmax]

Excellent as always. Thankyou.

[@RediscoveringLostRailways]

Very kind of you to say so, thank you.

[@janestirling7970]

I grew up next to that line, we used to play along there during the school holidays, I used to find railway men`s tools some times. There were quite a few relics left behind but, some one used to take a great deal of time, taking them away, presumably to put in his museum. I did hear a rumour he was told to stop doing it. I was actually one of the people who worked with others to lay the footpath

[@RediscoveringLostRailways]

Thanks for sharing your memories of this line. I wonder if they did end up in a museum? I'd like to think they did!

[@cymonalex]

Great work again, but a mention of the wonderful viaduct that was demolished in 1971 where the 'magic roundabout is' would have been on the approach to Heath Park Halt, would have been nice. The Station Lamp dating from 1901 is still outside the Art centre where heath park Halt forecourt was.!. There's a great book published by Oakwood Press called "The Harpenden to Hemel Hempstead Railway' Has some great pictures in there... Great work once again

[@RediscoveringLostRailways]

Glad you enjoyed it despite my omissions! I'll certainly look out for the book - annoyed I missed the station lamp!

[@cymonalex]

Its a great piece of work (nevertheless) This was my childhood line and I remember walking the line at the rear of where the cutting used to be. Actually, the line ran at the back of the hospital grounds and there use to be a deep cutting (until they filed it in). This lead to the Viaduct. Back in the early 80's, a company called "Hemalite" used the line from just beyond Cherry trees bridge and carried Freight onto the main line. I understood, they wanted to keep using the line, but BR wouldn't pay for the maintenance on the worn out track? They had their own 'Simplex shunter" and when it broke down occasionally a class 25 would visit. Great memories.. When the line finally closed, they was a public gathering and a fun-fair to commemorate the line's history.. Another regretful decision that would have been so popular in use toady!

[@vespasian606]

@@cymonalex Just ordered that book. Thanks for the heads up.

[@porno6361]

Another excellent video,loving them

[@RediscoveringLostRailways]

Thank you for your comment and subscription. Glad you're enjoying them.

[@davidjones3758]

Wonderful video such a travesty it has gone,your railways in the south of England where superb,so sorry you had to lose them.

[@RediscoveringLostRailways]

Yes it is rather a shame that they're gone. Thanks for your comment.

[@shaddersshadwell4941]

Love your work 👍🏽

[@RediscoveringLostRailways]

Thank you! Much more to follow. Thanks again.

[@paianis]

I have a book that commemorated the 100th anniversary of the line's opening in 1977. Even then it wasn't expected to close except the widening of the Midland Line through Harpenden forced it to only two years later.

[@RediscoveringLostRailways]

I daresay it would be a useful connection between the two towns today!

[@andrewlong6438]

Highly enjoyable video. Even though likelihood of it reopening is low, good to see that majority of trackbed is accessible by bike/foot.

[@RediscoveringLostRailways]

Many thanks indeed - yes it makes for a nice ride indeed! The chances of reopening as a railway are, I imagine, next to nil!

[@muttt.whopull3252]

I worked at the Brooke Bond factory in Redbourn from Sept 1978 till Sept 1983 and remember the hearing the trains running behind the warehouse for a while after I started, I guess they stopped in 1979 as I didn't hear them for long, as a youngster a Freind and my self cycled from St. Albans one day in the early/mid 70s to Redbourn station to see if a train would pass, can't remember if anything did. Nice film.

[@soepil]

Wow! The quadrant signal's still there. :)

[@RediscoveringLostRailways]

I know! Pretty cool!

[@railwaychristina3192]

Must cycle this in the Summer.

[@RediscoveringLostRailways]

Yes, do, very enjoyable!

[@georgephipps2808]

George Phipps - I worked at Northampton Bridge Street for about a year after my National Service, really enjoyed the Video, brought back many memories. Long Retired now after my 40 years with BR, would like to know about some of the trial traction that was used while I was there. The Porters name was Albert Hicks and I used to help him barrow the weights across the track as the RailCar was too light to negotiate the curve by the Loco Shed

[@RediscoveringLostRailways]

Thank you for sharing this memory - they are always welcome! Fascinating how weights were required to keep the railcar on the curve! Do watch my other films, including the Bedford to Northampton line one, which may be of particular interest.

[@kevlandy]

Good to see a signal still in situ at Roundwood Halt.

[@RediscoveringLostRailways]

Yes it's a nice touch!

[@valvlog4665]

​@@RediscoveringLostRailways Amazed the signal still there. Historical structures with value go missing at 3AM. So pleased the track bed is a path way, not sold off to bordering landowners.

[@brianjohnson5063]

I've passed through the disused railway bridge in harpenden and other's on the country lane going into Hatfield direction and the former Luton branch line now the busway to dunstable

[@RediscoveringLostRailways]

Plenty of disused lines in that area for sure!

[@muskrat645]

Great video as always, don't know if you knew that originally line went north to Luton, also the Distant signal is an upper quadrant not lower. The green lens would have been under yellow for lower quadrant. I too walked the path a while ago, there were rails in the next driveway that crossed after the M1 tunnel then. In the old picture of Hemel station you can just see the Midland Hotel, it's still there pity you didn't see/show it. Also didn't show the embankment close to there where you can clearly see where line went. There's a good book by the Oakwood Press about the line. Keep up the good work.

[@RediscoveringLostRailways]

Thanks for the correction RE: the signal. I took some footage of the hotel, but it was not satisfactory when I came to editing it all together.

[@BibTheBoulderTheOriginalOne]

Great video. I drive trains along the Midland Mainline to Derby and have often wondered as I see the old branch curving off to the west (as I drive N/B) what it was like. I have been told by old hand drivers it was truncated at one point and became known as the 'Hemelite' branch.

[@RediscoveringLostRailways]

Yes I believe Hemelite was a product of some description that kept at least a spur of the branch open for some time after its closure. It would be great to see these places from your perspective!

[@vespasian606]

@@RediscoveringLostRailways Hemelite is a form of aggregate and it's movement kept the line going for a while.

[@stevetaylor1312]

Upon seeing this, much of what I remember from travelling through that area years ago came flooding back, and now seems to have been from a different time-scale, even a different world. I wonder how different the coming of the trains made it for those a few generations before me?

[@RediscoveringLostRailways]

It is an interesting thought - in filming these lines now,they are so different to how things once were - it is all very sobering!

[@DarcyCardinal]

Some of these old lines, would love to just bike or walk along them, could get lost for hours on them!

[@RediscoveringLostRailways]

Yes! Couldn't agree more!

[@paulfleet6938]

Although nothing is obvious these days because of the change in the landscape and scenery, putting wagons on and taking wagons off of the branch was done at night as it occupied both fast lines. Empty wagons off first, then pushing the loads up certainly made (the usual Class 25's) bark as they went round the corner at which point the wagon brakes were pinned down and the loco then coasted back down the bank, pick the empties up and take them forward to Cricklewood.'All change' came with the commissioning of West Hampstead Power Signal Box which resulted in the abolition of Harpenden Junction Signalbox

[@RediscoveringLostRailways]

It is insights and memories like this that bring these railways back to life in a way my films never can!

[@pwhitewick]

Thanks for the video. Love the detail and old pictures. Perhaps we should do a "Collab" one day... is that what the kids call it?

[@RediscoveringLostRailways]

Thank you! I am currently enjoying your series too!

[@pwhitewick]

@@RediscoveringLostRailways ah thank you. Pleased to hear.

[@wireless6]

Another great video thanks. Have you ever considered doing the Lyme Regis to Axminster line? Nothing remains of the station at Lyme although the station building was moved to Alresford station I believe. The Cannington viaduct still exists as a Grade 2 listed building. Regards Steve.

[@RediscoveringLostRailways]

Thanks for the suggestion. I'm always willing to entertain recommendations and this one sou ds great. Glad to hear you enjoyed the film.

[@thierryds7295]

Digging up! I like the double deck bus on the Hemel Station bridge. (sorry, I am french...)

[@RediscoveringLostRailways]

It looks great, I agree!

[@dumbodick]

Delightful

[@RediscoveringLostRailways]

Thank you for saying so

[@chrismccartney8668]

Amazing some great cycle routes left but you wonder with all the new town type development whether a tram or guided bus route between the two very busy commuter belt would work with park and ride..

[@RediscoveringLostRailways]

Yes, a light rail connection would be a fine idea. I suppose the gradients might count against this but I still think it would be great!

[@vespasian606]

My route to work for five years. I would cycle from Harpenden to Hemel. The route itself feels very closed in and at least one of the surviving bridges is on it's last legs. It would have to be a very small bus.

[@andrewholloway231]

Thank you for a wonderful video. I really enjoyed it, the canal and the Pendolino at speed at the end of the video. The path which you were on from Harpenden, did it take its name from the former 'Nicky Line' railway?

[@RediscoveringLostRailways]

Yes it is. There are roundels with its name emblazoned on them as an allusion to the history of the path. Glad you enjoyed it! More to follow in the coming months!

[@Cars_and_adventures]

You should do the welyn to dunstable line next. Can cycle most of it from luton down to Harpenden Wheathampstead and then to Ayon and Welyn.

[@RediscoveringLostRailways]

I live near enough to make the eminently do-able, so thanks for the tip!

[@Cars_and_adventures]

@@RediscoveringLostRailways yeah defiantly should. Just Wheathampstead station is quite hidden away but it's a great line to explore

[@CycolacFan]

Another fascinating video done with respect in a refreshingly pure factual style. You have a fantastic eye for spotting small details. I presume these are shot in a single day and you cycle along the route? Generally how much research does it require beforehand before you set out?

[@RediscoveringLostRailways]

Thank you very much indeed. Yes, I prefer the documentary rather than the personal 'blog' style - much more comfortable behind than in front of the camera! *Most* films are done in a day as often they are at a distance from where I live and my job means that my time is not always my own. As for how much research - as you can imagine, this largely depends. Shorter lines don't require quite as much. I'd say that in preparing for a day's filming, I usually spend several weeks (sometimes months) reading the literature, studying maps closely and reviewing online materials to help. Filming is definitely the easiest part - prep and editing are much more demanding (better ever so rewarding!).

[@CycolacFan]

Thanks for the quick reply and the information. Hope you continue to make these films they're fascinating, thought provoking and its somewhat wistful too that so much heritage has been destroyed.

[@hughjones8714]

I spent the summer of 1959 at a house called Lark's Herne in Hemel Hempstead on the corner of Queensway and some fairly busy road (don't remember the name ) BUT there was a large train viaduct just down the road. Any chance that rings a bell with anyone ? Mom was a war bride and came to the US with my Air Force dad and we had a great time in Hemel where she was from ( Wood Lane End> Think it is long built up now

[@RediscoveringLostRailways]

I'm afraid I don't know the area well, so I can't assist - but hopefully someone else on here may be able to help!

[@peebee143]

Look up other videos from this publisher, there's quite a few, all with glorious music!

[@RediscoveringLostRailways]

Thank you!

[@philhomes233]

I walked this line, must have been early 80s. There was a little more to see then (especially at the Hemel end), and it wasn't quite as tidy!!!.

[@RediscoveringLostRailways]

I've seen pictures from around that time and I quite agree about how different it looks!

[@librarian16]

The connection from the gasworks to Hemel Hempstead (Boxmoor) station wasn;t put in until the Nicky Line was closed. There was never a through connection.

[@RediscoveringLostRailways]

Yes, just so

[@christopherbentley5216]

I can remember where it crossed Marlowes,the huge arches.

[@peterallam6494]

Has anyone carried out a survey of these now missing lines & connections that would show how beneficial they would be if still in service today? If autonomous vehicles will be using the roads then similar trains could use tracks monitored by computers. The old network reached all parts of the Country, it could,for example shift biomass around instead of coal.

[@RediscoveringLostRailways]

Interesting ideas - I wonder if this has been done?

[@rattywoof5259]

Second movement of Elgar's 1st Symphony, am I right?

[@RediscoveringLostRailways]

Spot on!

[@ianhosier4042]

Most of the trackbed is intact. Would be great to see it restored - heritage line with a terninus just outside hemel?

[@RediscoveringLostRailways]

That would be nice, though I imagine the locals would want a railway proper. Maybe a tram service of the like would be of use here.

[@ianhosier4042]

@@RediscoveringLostRailways I was thinking more like light rail

[@logicalthinker316]

Perfect for a reinstated line? Or maybe a light railway,only a few obstacles to overcome

[@RediscoveringLostRailways]

Yes, I think something like that could be beneficial

[@patchingmagic]

HH used to be a lovely old town with a special old town section that I remember had a fasinating cane and basket shop called salters at the end near Gadebridge park, the high street had really lovely privately owned Georgian houses and pretty cottage gardens. I dont think they could have done a more destructive and soul less job of so called updating it. They destroyed its warm friendly character, brought in business and pushed away the residential. They destroyed a very good hospital and built endless soulless housing estates that were very poorly built. This extended way beyond the boundaries of the town and engulfed special nearby villages. Quite disgusting.

[@RediscoveringLostRailways]

Thank you for your remarks - I don't know the area well, but I'm sorry to hear it not what it once was!

[@ChangesOneTim]

Much the same happened at every other place designated as a New Town in 1948/9. It was economically and socially expedient to the government to expand these towns, to rehouse hundreds of thousands of city dwellers as part of Britain's post-WW2 renewal. The pressure to redevelop fast and cheap gave us the poor build quality of Chaulden, Warner's End, Adeyfield etc. New Towns were all designed around the private car age, so the Nicky Line never stood a chance.

[@dcblackgm8107]

😥

[@likklej8]

Great you failed to mention the Hemelite works by Cherry Tree Lane which operated until the late seventies which still linked to the Midland mainline at Harpenden carrying building material from the Hemelite works.

[@RediscoveringLostRailways]

Oh well, can't win them all

[@likklej8]

Rediscovering Lost Railways it was an excellent documentary as all of your videos. LMS railway in the 1930s used the branch for their experimental RoadRail vehicle. The branch at one point connected to Boxmoor Station.

[@RediscoveringLostRailways]

@@likklej8 thank you! It's a fascinating little line and I greatly enjoyed making the film.

[@greggbisgrove7499]

How ever dreamt up the name Nickey Line is wrong its the Midland Line hence the name of the road and pub/ hotel and the station was for Hemel Hempstead was her.

[@RediscoveringLostRailways]

Whatever the historical reasons for the nickname it has acquired, I don't like it either!

[@None-zc5vg]

That's an UPPER quadrant signal at 3.11.

[@RediscoveringLostRailways]

It is indeed! Someone told me afterwards - thanks for the correction!

[@None-zc5vg]

@@RediscoveringLostRailwaysSorry, I missed the previous observation about that signal: drat! That's unmade my day.

[@michaelogorman3017]

i found a big piece of steel and my friend found a bolt on here

[@RediscoveringLostRailways]

I imagine there's still a few odds and ends hidden by the line side!

[@prof.hectorholbrook4692]

I've damaged my wrist listening to this dreadful music. For one moment, I thought the solemn tones had won their cast over the already severely Depressing (Conservative-style) life that ORDINARY PEOPLE live here in the UK. Yet, I live another day with the blood-stained knife beside me, whilst loving extinct railways the way they SHOULD be loved: With happiness in memory, and not in UTTERLY audible sorrow.

[@RediscoveringLostRailways]

If this is your reaction to a video about a lost railway, I recommend not going out as it may be too much for your nerves.

[@BrendanPerkins]

Perhaps he would prefer the video with "Yakkity Sax" on it instead. I personally think the video and music go together beautifully.